H.G. Wells goes steampunk in War of the Worlds: Goliath

Twitch recently alerted me to War of the Worlds: Goliath, an upcoming animated feature that just sounds cooler than cool: it’s a “sequel” to H.G. Wells’ classic story with steampunk and alternative history aspects and done in an anime-like style.

As for the story, humanity has rebuilt itself after the initial Martian invasion using the remaining Martian technology. Now, they’re preparing themselves for the aliens’ inevitable return, developing a defense force consisting of giant steam-powered tripods, massive zeppelins, and fighter squadrons led by Manfred von Richthofen, aka the Red Baron.

As the filmmakers put it, War of the Worlds: Goliath will feature selfless heroism, alien cruelty, base betrayal and passionate lovemaking framed by the life and death paradigm of total interstellar war.

The film’s official website is still under construction, but you can find plenty of information — including a full synopsis, a director’s statement, and a gallery of production artwork —  here.

War of the Worlds: Goliath is scheduled to be released on DVD in February 2010.