James Wan Departs Director’s Chair For ROBOTECH As It Lands Andy Muschietti To Helm

It and Mama helmer Andy Muschietti is officially directing the long-awaited Robotech adaptation for Sony following its acquisition in 2015. The film, to be based on the 1985 Tatsunoko and Harmony Gold USA animated show, has already seen an extensive journey of flailing development with early life fledgeling at Warner Bros. back in 2007.

The news comes after intial buzz in 2015 as James Wan, in the months following the blockbuster success of Furious Seven and along with being confirmed to direct next year’s Aquaman film, was tapped to direct instead of Muschietti. Wan has other projects stirring, including producing Mortal Kombat for Warner Bros. and developing a Resident Evil reboot for Screen Gems.

The original Robotech series itself, constructed from three Japanese animated shows to form its own for U.S. broadcast at the time, takes place at a time when crash-landed alien technology becomes the starting point for mankind’s construction of giant robots to defend against waves of attacks from aliens.  Sanford Panitch and Matthew Milam are reportedly overseeing for Columbia. Shannon Gaulding is running point for Hollywood Gang who are still attached as are producers Gianni Nunnari and Mark Canton who will be joined by Muschietti’s creative partner, producer Barbara Muschietti. (THR)