The Voltron movie wrapped filming in May 2025 and is now in post-production. After years of development hell, this one is actually happening. Henry Cavill, Sterling K. Brown, Rita Ora, and a cast of newcomers are bringing the five robot lions to life for a new generation.
Here’s everything we know so far, plus some ways to get your kids into the franchise before the movie hits.
Skip to:
- The Cast (And Who They’re Actually Playing)
- Production Status and Release Date
- What to Expect from the Story
- Voltron Comics for New Fans
- Collectibles Worth Checking Out
The Cast (And Who They’re Actually Playing)
Early reports had Henry Cavill as one of the five lion pilots. That’s not quite right. Cavill plays the King of Altea, a supporting role. He’s the son of Princess Allura from the original series, making him a key figure in the Galaxy Alliance but not one of the main pilots.
The actual lead is Daniel Quinn-Toye, a newcomer who reportedly plays Keith, pilot of the Black Lion and leader of the Voltron Force. This is Quinn-Toye’s feature film debut after theater work including stepping in for Tom Holland in “Romeo & Juliet” on the West End.
The rest of the cast fills out nicely:
- Sterling K. Brown as Emperor Zarkon (heavy prosthetics, described as intimidating)
- Rita Ora as Haggar the Dark Witch (buried under creature makeup)
- Alba Baptista, John Harlan Kim, Samson Kayo as the other pilots
And here’s a detail that caught my attention: Pharrell Williams is scoring the film and producing the soundtrack. That’s an unexpected choice for a mecha movie, but it could give the film a distinct sound.
Production Status and Release Date
Filming ran from December 2024 to May 2025 in Gold Coast, Australia. The movie is now in post-production, which for a VFX-heavy project like this means months of work on the robot lions, space battles, and combining sequences.
Director Rawson Marshall Thurber (Red Notice) has said the film will “stay true to the heart and spirit of Voltron” while “introducing an entirely new generation of pilots.” That suggests a soft reboot rather than a direct continuation of either the 1984 original or the Netflix series.
Release date: Somewhere in 2026 or 2027. Sterling K. Brown hinted at 2027 during a Comic Con appearance. No official date yet, and it’s still undecided whether this goes to theaters or straight to Prime Video.
What to Expect from the Story
The core concept stays the same: five pilots control robotic lions that combine to form Voltron, a giant robot warrior defending the universe from evil. The movie will introduce new pilots rather than following characters from previous versions.
Test screening reports (take these with grain of salt) suggest Cavill gets standout moments including a sword fight scene. The villain work sounds promising too, with Sterling K. Brown’s Zarkon described as genuinely menacing.
If this does well, there’s already talk of sequels. Sterling K. Brown mentioned being contracted for two films.
Voltron Comics for New Fans
If you want to introduce your kids to Voltron before the movie, comics are a decent entry point. The animated series from Netflix (Voltron: Legendary Defender) ran for eight seasons and is solid, but 78 episodes is a commitment. Comics let you test the waters.
What We Like Less:
- Out of print, prices vary
- Only makes sense if you’ve seen the show
Why You Are Going to Like it:
- Written by the actual show writers
- Fills gaps between TV episodes
- Same characters kids already know
The Legendary Defender comics were written by the show’s actual writers and fill in gaps between episodes. Volume 1 takes place between episodes 8 and 9 of Season 1. They’re out of print now, so prices vary, but you can find used copies on Amazon or eBay.
For the original 1984 continuity, there’s an omnibus that collects classic stories. Fair warning: the dialogue is dated and some of it is corny. But that’s part of the charm if you grew up with it.
What We Like Less:
– The animation style might seem a bit dated by today’s standards. – Some of the dialogue can be cringe-worthy, but it’s part of the charm.
Why You Are Going to Like it:
– A trip down memory lane to the golden age of anime. – Who doesn’t love giant robots fighting evil aliens? – The Voltron Force is the ultimate team, proving that unity is strength.
Collectibles Worth Checking Out
2024 marked Voltron’s 40th anniversary, which means there’s more merchandise available now than there has been in years.
LEGO Ideas Voltron (21311)
The LEGO Voltron set retired in 2019 and has become a collector piece. Original retail was $179.99. Current secondary market prices run around $500. It’s 2,321 pieces and stands over 15 inches tall when assembled.
What We Like Less:
– It’s a significant investment.
Why You Are Going to Like it:
– Relive the glory days of Voltron. – Once built, Voltron is a stunning centerpiece for any collection. – A satisfying puzzle for LEGO enthusiasts.
If you can find one at a reasonable price, it’s a great father-son build project. My son and I have done a few big LEGO sets together, and there’s something about a multi-session build that creates good conversations. The lions can be built separately and then combined, which lets you spread the project across several weekends.
Super7 ReAction Figures
Super7 makes retro-style figures that look like toys from the 1980s. Their Voltron ReAction figure runs about $20, has the classic 5-point articulation, and comes with a Blazing Sword. Good for display, good for kids who won’t be careful with a $500 LEGO set.
What We Like Less:
- Limited articulation (5 points)
- Small size (3.75 inches)
Why You Are Going to Like it:
- Affordable entry point (~$20)
- Retro design appeals to parents who remember the original
- Includes Blazing Sword accessory
Mattel Little People 40th Anniversary Set
Mattel released a Little People Collector set featuring Keith, Lance, Pidge, Hunk, and Princess Allura. Each figure comes in a mini lion that can combine to form Voltron. It’s a Mattel Creations exclusive at $40, aimed at collectors but charming enough that younger kids would probably enjoy it too.
What’s Next
More sci-fi and pop culture coverage:
About These Recommendations
I’m George. I read to my kids for 10+ years before they started reading on their own. My wife’s a therapist who helped pick books that actually matter for development. Everything on this site got tested on our family first.
The Voltron movie is expected in 2026 or 2027. Filming wrapped in May 2025 and the project is currently in post-production. No official release date has been announced yet.
Henry Cavill plays the King of Altea, a supporting role. He is not one of the five lion pilots. The lead role of Keith (Black Lion pilot) is played by newcomer Daniel Quinn-Toye.
This hasn’t been decided yet. The film is being produced by Amazon MGM Studios, so Prime Video streaming is possible, but producers have indicated nothing is confirmed regarding the release platform.
Yes, LEGO Ideas released set 21311 in 2018. It retired in 2019 and now sells for around $500 on the secondary market. The original retail price was $179.99. It has 2,321 pieces and stands over 15 inches tall.
Yes. Multiple publishers have released Voltron comics over the decades. The most recent are the Voltron: Legendary Defender comics from Lion Forge, written by the Netflix show’s writers. These are set between episodes of the animated series and are now out of print.
No. The live-action movie introduces “an entirely new generation of pilots” according to director Rawson Marshall Thurber. It’s a new adaptation rather than a continuation of Voltron: Legendary Defender or the original 1984 series.