Sony Pictures has picked up the rights to "Robotech," a popular '80s anime series, in the hopes of making it into a franchise, Variety reports.

The anime follows humanity's struggle against alien invaders; much like "Pacific Rim," humanity builds robot technology out of downed enemy ships in order to defend themselves. After making its way to the US in the '80s, the series expanded with books, role playing games, video games, toys, comics and collectibles.

The film picked up "300" scribe Michael Gordon last month. Gianni Nunnari and Mark Canton, who also worked on "300," are on board to produce. The project will be overseen by Sony Pictures.

"When the rights to 'Robotech' became available we jumped; Mark and I knew it had what big movies in today's world must have if they want to grab everyone: insane visuals and powerful themes," said Nunnari. "The characters in 'Robotech' wrestle with both the destructive and redemptive powers of technology; nothing is more relevant today than that."

Originally, Warner Bros. owned the rights to "Robotech," but the studio never moved forward with a film.