Skydance Productions is actively pursuing the rights to “Star Blazers, the American redubbed version of 70s anime series that was first called “Space Battleship Yamato.” Actually, for an anime title, that name isn’t so crazy. I feel like it should have been called “Space Battleship Victory Romance Schoolgirl Turbo Adventures.”

Skydance, run by son-of-a-bazillionaire David Ellison (his dad runs Oracle, one of the most boring computer companies ever), was behind the endlessly awesome True Grit. If the deal goes through, he’ll hire screenwriter Christopher McQuarrie (The Usual Suspects), producer Josh C. Kline and Deputy Captain Derek Wildstar, a hotheaded kid who will eventually become a wise leader. The original series is a “space opera” that centers around a starship crew and their kooky adventures. Actually, it’s already been made into a live action movie, but the Japanese did it, so that does not count.

David Ellison and his sister Megan have shown good taste in movie financing by backing True Grit. I wonder if David’s space gambit will pay off. (Deadline)