Amazon MGM Studios has officially cast Henry Cavill as the lead in its upcoming live-action adaptation of the popular mecha anime Voltron. The film will be directed by Rawson Marshall Thurber, known for his work on Red Notice, and is set to begin filming later this year in Australia.

Cavill, best known for his roles as Superman and Geralt of Rivia in The Witcher, will lead the project alongside newcomer Daniel Quinn-Toye. Quinn-Toye, who gained recognition for his performances on the West End, particularly opposite Tom Holland, has impressed both the studio and Thurber.

Voltron is based on the classic Japanese anime series Beast King GoLion and Kikou Kantai Dairugger XV, which were adapted and dubbed for American audiences as Voltron: Defender of the Universe. The original series, which aired in the mid-1980s, followed five pilots controlling robotic lions that combined to form the titular giant robot, Voltron. 

While details about the plot of the new adaptation are still under wraps, the script has been penned by Thurber in collaboration with Ellen Shanman. The film is being produced by Todd Lieberman of Hidden Pictures, Bob Koplar of World Events Productions and David Hoberman of Hobie Films.

Cavill has had a busy year in film, with appearances in Matthew Vaughan’s Argyle and Guy Ritchie’s The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare. He is also set to star in In the Grey alongside Jake Gyllenhaal and Eiza González, and will feature in the long-anticipated reboot of Highlander directed by Chad Stahelski. Additionally, Cavill is attached to executive produce an adaptation of the Warhammer 40,000 universe for Amazon MGM Studios.

Filming for Voltron is expected to begin this fall.