If you're of a certain age, chances are high that you have fond memories of running out of quarters while kicking blue imps for magic potions and riding purple chicken-monsters.
If you were born in the '80s or early, you likely played the arcade version of Golden Axe at least once, and Paramount is banking on that nostalgia as they set a September 16 premiere date for their upcoming animated adaptation.
The project comes courtesy of a few seasoned TV animation producers who are leaning hard into the heavy-metal fantasy action and humor that made the original 1989 arcade hit so ridiculously fun.
In a new interview with Animation Magazine, co-creator Mike McMahan (Solar Opposites, Rick and Morty) stated, "I had played it a billion times, because I loved that it let me pick the battle dwarf as a lead character. It’s so unexpected and cool, plus it had rideable freaky beasts that stick in your brain. Getting to adapt a swords-and-sorcery fantasy world was a draw too, because I had been mostly playing with sci-fi!"
On his involvement as co-creator, Joe Chandler (American Dad!) jokingly chimed in, "When Mike got the opportunity to make Golden Axe, he knew he needed the perfect partner — the Tyris to his Ax Battler … Unfortunately, that person wasn’t available. When he finally realized he had no other choice, he called me. I leapt at the opportunity!"
On a more serious note, Chandler commented, "Golden Axe was the first game I owned for Sega Genesis. I loved everything about it: kicking little blue guys for magic, tail whipping bad guys while riding a weird purple monster and rescuing the citizens of a village on the back of a giant eagle! I had my Genesis hooked up to a little TV in my room. When my mom made me go to bed, I’d leave it paused so I wouldn’t have to start over in the morning. I’m still stunned this came full circle and we got to make this show."
McMahon also wants to be clear that the animated show has comedy but it isn't a parody of Golden Axe.
"We aren’t making fun of Golden Axe," he stated. "We’re adapting it into a version that keeps the stakes and the details but also builds out the characters and gives them a sense of humor. I really like the format of the show, that you can watch any one episode and have a good time, but if you watch the whole thing, then it all ties together as one big adventure."
Golden Axe premieres September 16 only on Paramount+.
In an homage to SEGA’s iconic 1989 video game, Golden Axe follows legendary warriors Ax Battler, Tyris Flare and Gilius Thunderhead as they reunite to save Yuria from the evil giant Death Adder, who just won’t seem to stay dead. Their quest is complicated by Hampton Squib, an inexperienced and wildly underprepared adventurer whose dream of heroism far exceeds his abilities. Forced to work together despite their flaws, they must find a way to stop Death Adder once and for all.
The voice cast includes Matthew Rhys (Widow’s Bay) as Gilius Thunderhead, Liam McIntyre (Spartacus, Marvel’s Wolverine video game)as Ax Battler, and Lisa Gilroy (Jury Duty)as Tyris Flare. Danny Pudi rounds out the voice cast as the rookie adventurer, Hampton Squib.