ROBOCOP not a remake but a SEQUEL! (Cancelled)

[GreenScar]

Source


Now that I know who is in charge of this project, I'm actually jazzed for it:

Is there a killer almost-a-movie that you’d consider trading a pinky to see on screen? For me, one such project will forever remain Batman: Year One from director Darren Aronofsky (Pi, Requiem For a Dream, The Wrestler). There was a time when Aronofsky and Christopher Nolan seemed neck and neck for the reinvention of Batman on film, and while Nolan went on to make history, recalling the former director’s references of A French Connection, Dracula and hints at an R-rating still karate-chop my brain.

Here's the small bit about the sequel:

“Present day Los Angeles, 20 years after the termination of the RoboCop program, the city decides to reinstate the program.”

This would imply that the film will be a sequel of sorts—similar to “T4″—rather than a fresh start like Batman Begins. Moreover, one can speculate that Aronofsky is a big fan of Paul Verhoeven’s original film, which faced an X-rating due to its desensitizing violence (Re: the film’s message) and was later reissued under the glorious X by Criterion. Unlike McG, I would expect Aronofsky to keep the franchise’s violence and nihilistic tone intact, based on his previous and forthcoming films. The PG-13 RoboCop 3 notwithstanding, Detroit is still Detroit, after all.

I’ve said it before, there is no other director I’d rather see take on this material/canon, and I’m not at odds against a new vision. RoboCop is an iconic genre character, like Jason Voorhees or James Bond, and you can’t expect him to go away; also, the original film’s central themes of authority and law in the future are both timeless and warrant modern interpretations, albeit ones respectful of the source material. I also find it slightly humorous that Bloody Disgusting “tells” Aronofsky to check out The Dark Knight for inspiration; I’m pretty sure this guy has earned his gritty badge, dudes (even though The Fountain was a black hole of mush).

EDIT - Darren Aronofsky confirmed to direct - http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=47153

Aronofsky and Self Confirmed for RoboCop
Source: MGM July 24, 2008


Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures (MGM) has signed Darren Aronofsky to direct and David Self to write a new installment for its "RoboCop" franchise. Aronofsky, the director of The Fountain, and Self, the writer of Road to Perdition, make a formidable creative team, fast tracking the RoboCop motion picture and spotlighting it as one of the most anticipated new films for 2010.

The announcement was made today by Mary Parent, Chairman, Worldwide Motion Picture Group, MGM.

In making the announcement Parent said: "Darren is undeniably one of the most talented, original and visceral film makers, and David is one of the greatest writers in Hollywood. All of us at MGM couldn't be more excited."

Phoenix Pictures' Mike Medavoy, Arnold Messer, Brad Fischer and David Thwaites will produce "RoboCop." Cale Boyter, Executive Vice President Production at MGM will oversee the project for the studio.

Phoenix Pictures' Chairman and CEO Mike Medavoy said: "After making the first 'RoboCop' at Orion more than 20 years ago, I'm thrilled to be helping to return this character to the screen with our partners at MGM and through the eyes of Darren Aronofsky and David Self."

Phoenix co-presidents Brad Fischer and David Thwaites added: "With a filmmaker of Darren Aronofsky's vision and imagination and a writer of David Self's caliber, we are poised to bring to the screen an entertaining and provocative film, which will now be under the creative guidance of two of the best storytellers working in our industry today."

The original RoboCop, which premiered in 1987, was "part man, part machine and all cop." The film's storyline focused on the future of law enforcement as a terminally wounded cop returns to the police force as a powerful cyborg haunted by submerged memories. The original film was nominated for two Academy Awards -- Best Film Editing and Best Sound.

Full press release - http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/st...4855574&EDATE=

[Rob71]

“Present day Los Angeles, 20 years after the termination of the RoboCop program, the city decides to reinstate the program.”

So Robocop has been transfered to OCP's LA branch?

[Mxr5150]

Robocop in LA? I smell Robocop Vs. The Terminator brewing .

[Rob71]

Originally Posted by Mxr5150

Robocop in LA? I smell Robocop Vs. The Terminator brewing .

That could be pretty cool. What I want to see is the Predators go on a Terminator hunt.

Sorry for the thread hijack.

[jeabombers]

Originally Posted by Rob71

That could be pretty cool. What I want to see is the Predators go on a Terminator hunt.

Sorry for the thread hijack.

Oh man.... Predator vs Alien: The Terminator Chronicles..... NOW that would be awesome! Great idea Rob!

[Giyomu]

Originally Posted by Mxr5150

Robocop in LA? I smell Robocop Vs. The Terminator brewing .

pretty cool

[Heart_Collector]

Oh, my dear glorious lord...please let this be The Corporate Wars!

[fighthefutureofhd]

i like robocop enough i guess, but what we really is this director doing something more visionary and dark. aronofsky needs to helm the big screen adaption of the new moon knight. i'd pay big bucks to see that.

[TenEightyP]

Having not seen Robocop since around it's original release, I managed to grab a copy and watched again recently. For me this film has aged badly, and feels quite cheesy, the acting quite poor at times. This is not one I would buy on Blu.

But, I'm defo not one for remakes, except in this case I think it could be done so much better in 2008.

.

[statikcat]

Originally Posted by TenEightyP

But, I'm defo not one for remakes, except in this case I think it could be done so much better in 2008.

.

Robocop is a classic. Remaking it would be a tragedy to film. You can not possible remake Robocop any better than the original. You can't top the origin story and the way his human side gets wasted in the beginning. Yes, it is partially cheesy as it is from the 80s but that is what makes it so great. The Robocop world already has so many outlets for new stories that spending time on origin again in a new movie would just be a waste of time. imo of course

Anyway, I think a new Robocop sequel based movie is a good idea. Imagine how awesome the big machines from the past Robocop movies could look today.

[PS3-Playb3yond]

Robocop is the past. Not really looking forward to this one.

[Batman00]

Originally Posted by PS3-Playb3yond

Robocop is the past. Not really looking forward to this one.

Who do u think should play Murphy or whoever they want to make as the new Robocop?

[Chris60119]

I think this could go either way.

[GreenScar]

What has me excited about this is the director they have for it. I didn't know he was in line with Nolan as the final choices for Batman Begins. His planned version sounds very interesting.

Really, its all about the story and how it's executed. This is good news (IMO).

[TenEightyP]

Originally Posted by statikcat

Robocop is a classic. Remaking it would be a tragedy to film. You can not possible remake Robocop any better than the original.

Can't really agree with you on that one my friend, Robocop is certainly not a classic and remaking it would not be a tragedy, on the contrary it would be a good move and probably bring the franchise to a wider audience. On the remake topic, if it were to be of the quality of The Avengers, Get Carter, The Italian Job, the Heartbreak Kid etc then I would say leave it alone.

On the point of it being a classic, I think this would make an interesting poll, not a straight Classic or not poll, but put it up against another bunch of other perceived classic films.

I have a lot of friends who purchase DVD / Blu and are filmgoers, but no one who has seen it has actually bought a copy of Robocop (I did a quick straw poll).

...

[Moefiz]

Why oh why can't Hollywood just leave the old action movies alone.Do they really think they can out do the first one or are they going to try and do this with a Pg13 rating.
What made the first Robocop work was the story and acting and yes the violence at the time.

Just leave it alone.

[Batman00]

Originally Posted by Moefiz

Why oh why can't Hollywood just leave the old action movies alone.Do they really think they can out do the first one or are they going to try and do this with a Pg13 rating.
What made the first Robocop work was the story and acting and yes the violence at the time.

Just leave it alone.

Its not going to be PG13, its gonna be R, they are not cutting out the violence

[Mxr5150]

Originally Posted by Rob71

That could be pretty cool. What I want to see is the Predators go on a Terminator hunt.

Sorry for the thread hijack.

Oh yeah, that would be fun to watch The best of the four in my opinion between them, Aliens, and Robocop.

[statikcat]

Originally Posted by TenEightyP

On the point of it being a classic, I think this would make an interesting poll, not a straight Classic or not poll, but put it up against another bunch of other perceived classic films.

...

It's not a classic in terms of masterpiece cinema or anything but it is surely a Sci Fi classic in it's own way.

[ToonyLoons]

Interesting. I would prefer a sequel to a remake myself. I just hope it is still Murphy and not a new Robo. It would kinda mess with the idea that for some reason he was the only successful Robocop and all others failed. And in saying that, it would probably be too much to have Peter Weller reprise the role. The guys from the TV show and Robocop 3 were just not as good if you ask me.

I dont know about a Robocop vs Terminator film. I remember playing the game back on Genesis and loved tearing up things as Robocop.