World Events Productions Relaunches Hot Selling Licensed Property "Voltron" For Worldwide Distribution
Date: Monday, December 04, 2006St. Louis, MO, December 4, 2006 - World Events Productions, the company that introduced the world the legendary Voltron: Defender of the Universe classic Anime TV show and licensed toys in the 1980s such as action figures, apparel and video games, is now releasing and endorsing newly licensed products. The most recent being the first DVD release of the highly influential show that made Voltron a household name to over 70 countries worldwide.
To catapult the epic adventures of magical robotic lions that connect to form the mighty Defender into the 21st Century, the new DVD release Voltron: Defender of the Universe was completely re-mastered and re-mixed from the original episodes, creating a viewing experience light-years better than the original broadcast. The first volume, "Blue Lion" was unleashed in September with smashing success. The DVD series is distributed by Media Blasters and will be released throughout 2007 in 8 Volumes with 15 episodes each packed with exclusive documentaries and rare clips from the original creation of the show.
The classic Voltron series centers around the story of five Space Explorers who journey to the planet Arus in search of a legendary robotic Defender Voltron. The group unlocks the secret of the five elemental powered Robot Lions, who assemble together to form Voltron, an awesome fighting robot dedicated to defending the universe.
When Voltron first hit the US airwaves in September of 1984 for the very first time, it climbed up the ratings landing the number one spot for three years in children's programming; beating out heavy hitters like He-Man, GI Joe and Transformers. Over 100 different Voltron products were soon available in US stores, from transformable toys to three-ring binders. After three produced seasons on television, the innovative CGI series Voltron: The Third Dimension, and continuous reruns on TV all over the world today, Voltron is now being launched back into orbit.
The generation raised on Voltron is now today's hottest producers and performers, causing a retro-wave of pop culture references from a reflective segment on VH1's I Love the 80's, mentions on Everybody Hates Chris, a cameo on the hit series LOST, to lyrical shout-outs from artists like the Wu-Tang Clan and Murphy Lee.
World Evens Productions just signed a deal with Cartoon Network to begin airing the entire series on Adult Swim starting this month and are currently teaming up with producer Mark Gordon (Saving Private Ryan, Day After Tomorrow) and urban-music creator turned executive producer Pharrell Williams (N.E.R.D. Neptunes) for a live-action feature film version of the Voltron universe. Co-producer's Marc Costa and Ford Oelman, who together make up NHO Entertainment, told Wizard magazine recently "As fans ourselves, we very much see this property as a film franchise with multiple installments and we intend to make the first film a success so that we get to do it again and again."
With USA Today reporting that Voltron is among the top Hollywood films in production right now (October 6, 2005) as they bring back entertainment from the 80s with remakes of old TV shows and another popular robot cartoon, The Transformers, old fans will be happy and new fans will be created. This is a great opportunity for people in their 20s/30s to relive their youth, share their memories with their children and buy as many collectables from Voltron as they can.
WEP's Managing Director, Tiffany Ilardi, comments "Voltron is posed to make its worldwide return and licensees are jumping at the chance to be a part of our "resurrection." We know the value of our properties and so we will continue to try to meet the ever-growing needs of our loyal fans, both old and new."
Specialized toymaker and distributor Toynami was the first to jump on the many available opportunities for toy manufacturing. Owner George Sohn recently stated, "The Voltron Masterpiece Edition fully transformable toys have become the hottest ticket in specialty collectible sales. The first 5,000 units sold out within the first week of release, and the second wave is anticipated to be sold out in a matter of months!" Toynami is also working on a new Voltron toy figurine with a smaller configuration to appeal to the casual fan base for mass distribution.
A new and successful Voltron comic book series launched previously with 10 comics and two paper backs released by Devils Due Comics.
World Events Productions is a St. Louis-based Koplar Communications International Company specializing in the international licensing, production and distribution of animated television entertainment and sole licensor of all Voltron properties worldwide.
www.wep.com www.voltron.com
