Universal Studios is releasing the direct-to-DVD computer-animated feature Bionicle: The Legend Reborn on September 15th, 2009.  The release of the 80-min animated movie is part of an ambitious attempt by Lego to reboot its Bionicle property.  Lego is releasing a new line of constructible action figures based on characters from the movie in August so that the kits will be in stores when the DVD is released.  Papercutz is also publishing Bionicles Vol.6: The Underwater City graphic novel in September in order to take advantage of the interest generated by the release of The Legend Reborn.

 

In The Legend Reborn, Mata Nui, the once powerful ruler of the Bionicle realm, finds himself exiled to a wasteland where he has to fight in gladiatorial combat in order to survive.  He and the surviving gladiators then take up the cause of local villagers and defend the helpless peasants (Seven Samurai-style) against the depredations of Skrall and the Bone Hunters (see “New Bionicle Film”).