Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles | |
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![]() Film Poster | |
Directed by | Tommy Yune Dong-Wook Lee Yeun-Sook Seo (co-director) |
Screenplay by | Ford Riley Frank Agrama |
Story by | Thomas J. Bateman Steve Yun Tommy Yune |
Based on | Robotech by Carl Macek |
Produced by | Frank Agrama Alan Letz Jason Netter Ippei Kuri Kouki Narushima |
Starring | Richard Epcar Eddie Frierson Mark Hamill Alexandra Kenworthy Yuri Lowenthal Melanie MacQueen Chase Masterson Edie Mirman Iona Morris Tony Oliver Arthur Santiago Gregory Snegoff Michael Sorich Kari Wahlgren Dan Woren |
Edited by | David W. Foster |
Music by | Scott Glasgow Ulpio Minucci (main theme) |
Production companies | |
Distributed by | Funimation |
Release dates | August 25, 2006(New York) January 5, 2007 |
Running time | 88 minutes |
Countries | United States South Korea |
Language | English |
Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles is the 2006 animated sequel to the 1985 Robotech television series. It was released on DVD on February 6, 2007.
Originally announced at Anime Expo 2002 by Harmony Gold USA as an unnamed new series with negotiations under way at major network[1] with a target date of 2004. Prior to this announcement in 1998, Harmony Gold USA had relinquished their rights to create a sequel based on the original Japanese series of which Robotech was based on. However, rights to produce a sequel based on the series Super Dimension Cavalry Southern Cross, and Genesis Climber MOSPEADA were restored shortly before this announcement.[2]
it was revealed at Anime Expo 2004 that this project would instead be a feature-length film titled Robotech: Shadow Force due out in 2005. Due to the term "Shadow Force Megazord" having been trademarked by Saban for use in its Power Rangers series in 2001,[3] the title of the film was changed to Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles shortly thereafter.
The screenplay went through numerous writers, including noted science fiction author Robert J. Sawyer in 2003,[4] before landing its final screenwriter, Ford Riley, in July 2004. Due to Harmony Gold USA's agreement with Tatsunoko Production, the film was not allowed to reference characters or designs from Super Dimension Fortress Macross. As a result, only one character from that series used in Robotech was included, with another appearing in a deleted scene, both with drastically altered appearances from how they originally appeared.
The cast recorded the script initially in the fall of 2004[5] with later pick-ups done in 2005, including the addition of cast member Yuri Lownenthal, as well as re-casting Alexandra Kenworthy back in her original role as The Regis.[6]
Animation was primarily handled by the South Korean studio DR Movie, with Harmony Gold USA first showing pre-renders in January 2005.[7] The film was completed on January 27, 2006.[8]