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=