There’s been talk about a live-action Robotech movie for a very long time. But why has it never happened?
When it comes to giant robots involved in complex political warfare, Japan sure knows how to craft some compelling stories. What Americans know as Robotech is actually three different anime series set in the same continuity. It’s kind of a Power Rangers situation, but Robotech remained much more faithful to its source material.
Released just a year after the anime concluded, Robotech made its American debut in 1985. For the kids of that time, seeing giant transformable robots duking it out was more than enough fun, and little attention was paid to the series’ extensive main cast.
However, in our age of revitalising 80s franchises as a live-action film, and our eternal fascination with bombastic giant robots, we’ve decided to make a list casting our ideal Robotech live-action movie.
Our picks for cast in a live-action Robotech movie:
Dean Norris as Dolza
The core of Robotech’s conflict is the battle between the humans and the evil Zentraedi aliens. This militaristic race has been creating clones to invade other planets for centuries, and their advanced technology makes them a veritable threat against even the most powerful of Robotech’s mechs.
Dolza is the second oldest Zentraedi, acting as Supreme Commander of his species. Dean Norris has a physical resemblance with the character, not to mention that the amazing acting skills he displayed in Breaking Bad would help him immensely with this character.
Tom Hiddleston as Khyron
One of the most fanatical Zentraedi warriors, Khyron is determined to sacrifice himself for the glory of his galactic empire. However, his unconventional methods, including drunkenness and occasional backstabbing, have garnered him a shady reputation among the Zentraedi forces.
Tom Hiddleston would be perfect for this character. He could use his experience playing Loki, the god of mischief himself, to play an eccentric backstabbing general that’s also a member of a powerful alien race. Khyron is just Loki but taller, in more ways than one.
Alex Wolff as Max Sterling
A young and very skilled pilot, Max Sterling serves under the orders of Rick Hunter, the show’s main character. He’s also the father of Dana Sterling, who plays a major role in Robotech’s second arc, known as The Masters.
While he might be more recognizable as a dramatic actor rather than an action one, we still believe that Alex Wolff would be great for the role. He’s young, and his frame somewhat matches that of Max Sterling. The blue hair might be just a bit too overkill for live-action, though.
Jennifer Lawrence as Lisa Hayes
Lieutenant Commander Lisa Hayes is a force to be reckoned with throughout the entire Robotech saga. Her rivalry with Rick Hunter can’t stand in the way of fulfilling her duties as the First Officer in the SDF-1, as she’s a professional soldier over anything else.
After her long hiatus, it would be great to see Jennifer Lawrence spring into action with such an explosive role. After all, her acting in The Hunger Games series proves that Lawrence is more than capable of carrying an action franchise on her back.
Timothée Chalamet as Rick Hunter
There’s hardly a more popular young actor right now than Timothée Chalamet. Like Alex Wolff, Chalamet is more of a classical drama actor. However, his recent role in Dune might have been enough to prove his talents as an action lead and has even gained him some fans in mainstream circles.
Rick Hunter is your typical mecha anime hero: the son of an army pilot, Rick displayed an incredible talent for flying and piloting from a very young age. He eventually became a hero during the First Robotech War, saving humanity and defeating the evil forces of Dolza.
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