Nickandmore!

via Nicktoons press release:

NICKTOONS OPENS THE NEXT CHAPTER OF VOLTRON™ IN VOLTRON FORCE™ , PREMIERING JUNE 16, 8:30 PM (ET/PT)

New Animated Action-Adventure Series Features New Recruits and Voltron Formations,

Plus All-New Theme Song from Grammy Award®-Winning Producer/Artist Swizz Beatz

NEW YORK – May 23, 2011 – Nicktoons, the fastest growing kids’ network, brings the iconic franchise Voltron™ to a new generation with the brand new animated series, Voltron Force™. The series will launch as a commercial-free presentationof the 90-minute movie, “Voltron Force: New Defenders Trilogy,” Thursday, June 16, at 8:30 p.m. (ET). The half-hour series, which features an all-new theme song produced and recorded by Grammy Award®-winning producer and artist Swizz Beatz, follows the adventures of a new class of recruits as they join forces with the original team to fight evil by forming Voltron, the legendary super robot. The first original Voltron content in 10 years, this new iteration from World Events Productions in association with Classic Media and Kickstart Productions will feature never-before-seen Voltron configurations when the team’s Lions unite. The series will regularly air Thursdays at 8:30 p.m. (ET) on Nicktoons.

“Voltron Force stays true to the concepts that made the original such a success, but also takes the action, adventure and fantastical robotic creations to the next level,” said Keith Dawkins, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Nicktoons and TeenNick. “As a fan myself, it’s exciting to see the saga continue and for our network to be part of the brand’s legacy.”

“I’m truly excited to be involved in the re-emergence of this classic cartoon,” said Swizz Beatz. “I enjoyed watching Voltronas a child and now can enjoy it with my own kids.”

The original robot-action show, Voltron: Defender of the Universe, has become a massive pop-culture success since its launch in 1984. The series’ signature maneuver of combining forces to attain a common goal has resonated with many, earning references on television shows (such as South Park, The Fairly OddParents and Lost), by hip-hop artists (Swizz Beatz, Busta Rhymes, Eminem, Wu Tang Clan, among others) and by athletes (like LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Amar’e Stoudemire, Laurence Maroney and Chris Paul). The series also has a loyal Hollywood following of celebrities such as Jonah Hill, Megan Fox, Seth Green and Zach Galifianakis, to name a few.

Set five years after Voltron: Defender of the Universe, Voltron Force follows three new recruits – Daniel, Vince and Larmina – as they get a once-in-a-lifetime chance to train alongside their heroes – Keith, Lance, Hunk, Pidge and Allura – and learn to fly incredible robot lions. The series will journey to new planets, discover new powers and unearth ancient secrets. Voltron will be needed once again to combat a rising evil in the galaxy and a tyrant from within. Bonds will be formed, friendships will be tested and plenty of laughs will be had as the Voltron Force gels together as a team in an epic battle of good versus evil.

In the 90-minute movie premiere, “Voltron Force: New Defenders Trilogy,” Daniel and Vince are recruited into an underground resistance movement led by former members of the Voltron Force to recover the keys to the lions. They soon meet fellow classmate Larmina, and the three cadets are introduced to their Voltcoms, an advanced wrist device that acts as an activation key to the lions. Their Voltcoms are also capable of generating unique weapons and powers based on personality and fighting styles. As the new cadets explore the Castle of Lions and uncover clues to Voltron’s origins, the original Force gets their groove back to form Voltron once more, determined to take on the duel-threat of King Lotor’s Robeast and Sky Marshal Wade’s war machine.

On Nicktoons.com, a dedicated Voltron Force show page will feature video clips, full episodes, flipbooks, characters profiles, a dedicated message board and exclusive weekly printables. A new printable, featuring exclusive character art, will become available every Thursday during premiere episodes. Additionally, on May 27, Nicktoons.com will launch a new game, “Voltron Force: Ultimate Victory,” which will allow users to play as all five Lions and transform into Voltron. During the on-air premiere of Voltron Force on June 16, the network will also offer a Game Code that unlocks the bonus and unlimited “blazing sword” in the game.