The idea of Darren Aronofsky rebooting the Robocop franchise was an intriguing one, one ultimately scuttled by the massive financial difficulties at MGM. When the studio shut down all development projects Aronofsky moved on to his take on Wolverine for Fox and the assumption for many was that the new Robocop was dead. Not so.
With MGM fluid again the plans for a relaunched Robocop are again a top priority and word via Deadline is that MGM are now hammering out a deal with Elite Squad director Jose Padhila to direct.
It's a left field choice, to be sure, but one that I find pretty compelling. While this would be Padilha's English language debut and by far the largest budget he's ever worked with he's proven already that he's good with action and would bring a subtext to things sure to make the film more than just a blow-em-up, shoot-em-up excuse to sell popcorn. Don't get me wrong, I like those films as much as the next guy, but what killed Robocop in the first place was getting away from its satiric roots and moving in that direction with the sequels. That and making him fly. That was a bad move. Shudder.
With MGM fluid again the plans for a relaunched Robocop are again a top priority and word via Deadline is that MGM are now hammering out a deal with Elite Squad director Jose Padhila to direct.
It's a left field choice, to be sure, but one that I find pretty compelling. While this would be Padilha's English language debut and by far the largest budget he's ever worked with he's proven already that he's good with action and would bring a subtext to things sure to make the film more than just a blow-em-up, shoot-em-up excuse to sell popcorn. Don't get me wrong, I like those films as much as the next guy, but what killed Robocop in the first place was getting away from its satiric roots and moving in that direction with the sequels. That and making him fly. That was a bad move. Shudder.
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This is great news, as I agree Padhila will bring alot to the table. However the other crucial element is finding an actor who can recreate what Peter Weller did so well in the original.
They need to find a slim actor for the role because the suit will be so bulky. Weller has always been a bean pole so he didn't look ridiculously bulky when he put on the outfit.
Unless they design the suit to be more slim.
As for the director choice, that's pretty awesome.
Sorry folks, I can't see this even coming close to what Verhoven did.
This is a studio puppetry film.
You only go with a virtually unknown director so you can tell him what to do. Any established director would have their own vision and from what has been released, there is no way the studio or the producers are going to trust this with someone who might disagree with them.
IF a notable director were attached with unique sensibilities to add a fresh take on the premise, I'd give it a chance, but this is not going to do well.
I hope I'm wrong, but I simply can't see it, judging by what is coming out of the major studios these days.
The studios are so devoid of creative insight that they are rebooting a successful franchise that had a film made in this decade - *cough*Spiderman*cough*
I was adamant that they shouldnt touch Robocop for a remake. It was/is such a classic, iconic film , I have lost count of the amount of times Iv seen that film.Not too sure now, I watched Elite Squad and the directing style has an edge , I think if anyone could could pull it off its him. As long as the studio doesnt try to dominate the film!