The word is out this week via The Hollywood Reporter that popular tokusatsu property, Ultraman, is being stirred for a reboot from Jeff Gomez’s Starlight Runner Entertainment in partnership with The Licensing Group. The goal will be to reintroduce the highly acclaimed Japanese superhero property with a live-action TV series across multiple platforms including cable, streaming and SVoD, and with licensing and merchandising for U.S. and intermational markets.
Created in 1966 and housed at Tokyo-based Tsuburaya Productions, Ultraman, a follow-up to Ultra Q, centers on the futuristic police force known as the Science Patrol, assembled to defend Earth from alien invaders and giant monsters. When patrolman Hayata is killed in the calamity between Ultraman and his pursuit with a space monster, he merges with Hayata’s body; imbued with supernatural powers that allow him to transform into Ultraman, Hayata becomes the force’s most essential member.
The series spawned dozens of shows in the decades since Ultraman took shape, followed by video games, manga, movies and much more. Netflix’s own animated Ultraman movie will open next year.
“Ultraman is one of my greatest childhood heroes. We’re honored to be embarking on this mission to bring this family of characters back to the world stage,” Starlight Runner CEO Jeff Gomez said in a statement.