RoboCop Reboot Discussion

[Wang Chung]

MGM’s decision to reboot the RoboCop franchise has incurred much in the way of fan outrage – as has also been true for almost every upcoming remake and reboot that Hollwood is planning. Director José Padilha has helped to cool the tide of fury by frequently discussing his plans to deliver a sci-fi/action flick with a different thematic flavor than Paul Verhoeven’s original film about the titular man-turned-cyborg.

Pretty much all the attention of late (with respect to the new RoboCop) has been focused on Padilha, rather than what buzzed-about newbie screenwriter Josh Zetumer has been doing with the film’s script. That may change, seeing how another scribe has now been brought onboard, to help realize Padilha’s vision.

Heat Vision has learned that Nick Schenk has been hired on to script RoboCop for Padilha. The two have recently been working together on an upcoming action thriller titled Tri-Border, but that collaboration is not expected to take precedence over the RoboCop franchise revamping. Schenk otherwise boasts a handful of minor TV series and film shorts on his resume, but he is by far best known for penning the Clint Eastwood-directed (and starring) Gran Torino.

This hiring move really only bolsters Padilha’s claims that he’s not interested in delivering a rebooted RoboCop that abandons the satirical subtext and social commentary of Verhoeven’s film – in favor of a pure mindlessly violent sci-fi action flick. Schenk’s small (but solid) body of work is proof enough that he’s interested in being more of a thoughtful storyteller, rather than someone who just churns out Hollywood blockbuster drivel.

Now, the next step for the minds behind the RoboCop reboot is to recruit a credible actor who’s willing to don the iconic visor and metallic body suit. Rumored star Michael Fassbender has admitted that he’s very much open to the idea, but his commitment to starring in the film Twelve Years a Slave means he’ll be busy for a good chunk of the upcoming summer – and unfortunately, that’s when MGM wants shooting on the new RoboCop to begin.

I like the writer but do we really need to reboot robocop?

 

[Petty]

Re: ‘Gran Torino’ Writer To Work On ‘RoboCop’ Reboot

I like the writer but do we really need to reboot robocop?

The reboots are starting to get stupid. I didn't even like the original Robocop. So, do they have the person who is gonna portray Robocop? It is gonna be Tyler Mane or Keanu Reeves? :

 

[Wang Chung]

Re: ‘Gran Torino’ Writer To Work On ‘RoboCop’ Reboot

it better not be Reeves. that would be horrible. Robocop would be going around saying WHOA, then his lines.

 

[Wang Chung]

Ever since news of a Robocop reboot was announced, we here at Screen Rant have maintained that popular opinion of the film would ultimately hinge on the lead actor who was selected to play the role of future cop Alex Murphy, who is transformed into the cyborg lawman known as Robocop. Today we have a word on who that actor might be – and its not previously rumored stars like Russell Crowe or Michael Fassbender.

Deadline has the exclusive that Joel Kinnaman – the actor best known for his role as detective Stephen Holder on AMC’s hit series The Killing - has been made an offer by MGM to become the new Robocop.

If he accepts the offer, Kinnaman will be in for constant comparison to the original Robocop, portrayed onscreen by actor Peter Weller (who will next be seen in Star Trek 2). Weller’s Robocop role not only made a geek icon out of the actor – it propelled the character of Robocop into the cultural zeitgeist, where it still exists today thanks to movie sequels, animated shows, video games, a handful of well-renowned comic book series, and other such merchandising. That’s all to say: Kinnaman will have some big shoes to fill.

The actor has been in a standout in the recent projects he’s starred in, including The Killing, the sci-fi thriller The Darkest Hour, the American Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, and the recent Denzel Washington / Ryan Reynolds spy thriller, Safe House, in which Kinnaman has a scene-stealing cameo. The Swedish actor definitely has the chops to play Murphy/Robocop – and physicality shouldn’t be much of an issue, if the new Robocop design is anything like its bulky, armored predecessor. Any man can look buff and menacing when attached to the right cyborg body.

Jose Padilha Directing RoboCop reboot

The Robocop reboot is being helmed by Brazilian director José Padilha (pictured above), famous for the action-packed Elite Squad movies - the first of which is currently Brazil’s highest-grossing film of all time. Padilha has already discussed some modern story ideas and themes of the new Robocop, which is being scripted by Gran Torino writer Nick Schenk.

The original Robocop (directed by Paul Verheoven) was a scathing social satire touching on everything from government and corporate corruption, economic inequality in America, commercialism and more. A lot of those themes are still relevant today, and the advances (and probable advances) in technology offer a lot potentially great and fun ways for the filmmakers to explore them.

I say all that to say: approached correctly, Robocop could potentially be a worthy and worthwhile reboot.

I still don't like the idea of a reboot, but it looks like its got the green light

 

[TroyTheAverage]

The fact that they are making this again saddens me. Of course I didn't like the first one, so this being made kind of makes me facepalm.

 

[Fuji Vice]

Let's not be too hasty to trash it yet though, it has a lot going for it.

Jose Padilha - If you've ever seen Elite Squad or Elite Squad 2 you'd realize he's basically perfect for this and he's also one hell of a director to boot.

Nick Schenk - Gran Torino was one of the most well written films of the past few years.

Joel Kinnaman - His star is only beginning to rise but the guy is a legit great actor.

So with all that going for it I am suddenly very interested. Let's face it, they were going to reboot it no matter what anyone thinks, so at least they're attempting to do it with a quality team instead of Uwe Boll.

 

[TroyTheAverage]

Well all they can do is improve on the original since than one sucks.

 

[Fuji Vice]

Well all they can do is improve on the original since than one sucks.

You're weird.

 

[TroyTheAverage]

Sorry, meant to say that*. A little typo, my bad.

 

[Wang Chung]

As upset as i was about the reboot this is starting to pique my interest

Sent from my PG86100 using Tapatalk

 

[Orobin Thor]

Im a fan of the Robocop frachise. Love the original and the sequel. 3 sucked. I am extremely interested in how they portray this reboot. I do hope it is, script wise, alot better.

 

[Citan]

I really liked the original Robocop. We'll see how this remake turns out.

It can't possibly be worse than Robocop 2 and 3.

 

[Hook]

'RoboCop' Remake Has A Release Date

The Jose Padilha directed remake of RoboCop is fast becoming a reality! The original film about about a cop who was near death and was drafted to become a powerful cyborg cop is so iconic - and so good that part of me just didn't process that this was happening. Part of me feels that there's almost no way they can get this right and they should just leave Paul Verhoeven's 1987 original alone. I don't often say that - I usually have a pretty open mind about remakes - but I'm concerned.

Stuff we already knew? Strike Entertainment partners Eric Newman and Marc Abraham are producing. Josh Zetumer wrote the script. Joel Kinnaman has been cast in the lead role originated by Peter Weller. Sony will distribute the MGM film.

The news today is that the film will be released on August 9th, 2013. That's when we'll have the new model of RoboCop. Feels weird, doesn't it?

Sony/MGM

 

[TroyTheAverage]

We had a thread on this already. Please search around before posting news. Thanks.

 

[Swinny]

I guess I really should watch the original RoboCop before the remake comes out. Don't know why I never saw that movie, just never did.