AGXStarseed
Well-Known Member
(Not written by me)
It’s only been four years since Sony’s attempt to reboot RoboCop with Joel Kinnaman as the cop-turned-crime-fighting-cyborg — though you’d be forgiven if you’ve already forgotten the bland remake of Paul Verhoeven’s satirical 1987 sci-fi classic. That might be an advantage for MGM, which is plotting a new RoboCop movie with District 9 and Chappie director Neill Blomkamp at the helm.
Deadline reports that Blomkamp has signed on to direct RoboCop Returns, which isn’t a reboot, but a continuation of Verhoeven’s 1987 film. The script was written by original screenwriting duo Ed Neumeier and Michael Miner, who will serve as producers on the new film. MGM also recently enlisted Justin Rhodes, the co-writer of the Tim Miller’s upcoming Terminator sequel, to revise Neumeier and Miner’s screenplay — which was initially written not long after the release of Verhoeven’s film as an intended follow-up.
Peter Weller portrayed the iconic crime-fighting cyborg in the ’87 version, which was set in Detroit and took a satirical approach to the American socio-political climate. It’s pretty obvious that the original RoboCop is a huge inspiration for Blomkamp, whose films are often set in not-too-distant futures, involve robotics, and explore similar class, race, moral, and law enforcement issues.
Blomkamp has not been attached to direct a feature project since his Alien sequel — starring Sigourney Weaver — was nixed when Ridley Scott returned to continue his classic series. In the meantime, Blomkamp has developed and directed shorts for his indie outfit Oats Studios; he recently tried — and failed — to crowdfund the financing for one of those projects.
Honestly, the fact that Blomkamp is the obvious choice for a new RoboCop movie could go either way. Since making his feature debut with the critically-acclaimed hit District 9, Blomkamp has failed to deliver a film nearly as good or financially viable. He’s a great concept designer, but his screenwriting skills leave something to be desired. That said, the fact that RoboCop Returns wasn’t written by Blomkamp is definitely a point in its favor.
‘RoboCop Returns’ Will Feature Original Suit
There’s good news Robocop fans, as director Neill Blomkamp has confirmed via social media that his RoboCop Returns will feature the crimefighter back in his original ‘80s era suit. To that, we say, “I’ll buy that for a dollar.”
The original film starred Peter Weller as Officer Alex Murphy, who was brutally attacked in the line of duty, only to hold on long enough to be used as part of Omni Corporation’s cyborg crime unit, donning the iconic, metal-enforced suit as he was put into action.
There were a pair of sequels, with the franchise rebooting in 2014 with The Killing star Joel Kinnaman inheriting the Murphy role. The film yielded modest box office returns, but did earn some backlash over the look of the character. A sequel was considered before producers decided to revisit the original film and explore the possibilities of a direct sequel.
With Blomkamp on board, the director was reportedly utilizing an unused draft of RoboCop 2 created by writers Michael Miner and Ed Neumeier for source material. The draft was turned over to Justin Rhodes, who re-wrote the script.
When pressed on Twitter about the status of the film, Blomkamp stated, “Script is being written. Going well! Imagine watching Verhoeven do a follow up film.” That, of course, refers to original RoboCop director Paul Verhoeven. Not long after, a second inquiry came about the RoboCop suit and whether it was being used. “1 million% original,” was the director’s reply.
There was no comment on when the film would be expected to arrive.
Sources: Neill Blomkamp Is Making a New ‘RoboCop’ Movie , ‘RoboCop Returns’ Will Feature Original Suit
It’s only been four years since Sony’s attempt to reboot RoboCop with Joel Kinnaman as the cop-turned-crime-fighting-cyborg — though you’d be forgiven if you’ve already forgotten the bland remake of Paul Verhoeven’s satirical 1987 sci-fi classic. That might be an advantage for MGM, which is plotting a new RoboCop movie with District 9 and Chappie director Neill Blomkamp at the helm.
Deadline reports that Blomkamp has signed on to direct RoboCop Returns, which isn’t a reboot, but a continuation of Verhoeven’s 1987 film. The script was written by original screenwriting duo Ed Neumeier and Michael Miner, who will serve as producers on the new film. MGM also recently enlisted Justin Rhodes, the co-writer of the Tim Miller’s upcoming Terminator sequel, to revise Neumeier and Miner’s screenplay — which was initially written not long after the release of Verhoeven’s film as an intended follow-up.
Peter Weller portrayed the iconic crime-fighting cyborg in the ’87 version, which was set in Detroit and took a satirical approach to the American socio-political climate. It’s pretty obvious that the original RoboCop is a huge inspiration for Blomkamp, whose films are often set in not-too-distant futures, involve robotics, and explore similar class, race, moral, and law enforcement issues.
Blomkamp has not been attached to direct a feature project since his Alien sequel — starring Sigourney Weaver — was nixed when Ridley Scott returned to continue his classic series. In the meantime, Blomkamp has developed and directed shorts for his indie outfit Oats Studios; he recently tried — and failed — to crowdfund the financing for one of those projects.
Honestly, the fact that Blomkamp is the obvious choice for a new RoboCop movie could go either way. Since making his feature debut with the critically-acclaimed hit District 9, Blomkamp has failed to deliver a film nearly as good or financially viable. He’s a great concept designer, but his screenwriting skills leave something to be desired. That said, the fact that RoboCop Returns wasn’t written by Blomkamp is definitely a point in its favor.
‘RoboCop Returns’ Will Feature Original Suit
There’s good news Robocop fans, as director Neill Blomkamp has confirmed via social media that his RoboCop Returns will feature the crimefighter back in his original ‘80s era suit. To that, we say, “I’ll buy that for a dollar.”
The original film starred Peter Weller as Officer Alex Murphy, who was brutally attacked in the line of duty, only to hold on long enough to be used as part of Omni Corporation’s cyborg crime unit, donning the iconic, metal-enforced suit as he was put into action.
There were a pair of sequels, with the franchise rebooting in 2014 with The Killing star Joel Kinnaman inheriting the Murphy role. The film yielded modest box office returns, but did earn some backlash over the look of the character. A sequel was considered before producers decided to revisit the original film and explore the possibilities of a direct sequel.
With Blomkamp on board, the director was reportedly utilizing an unused draft of RoboCop 2 created by writers Michael Miner and Ed Neumeier for source material. The draft was turned over to Justin Rhodes, who re-wrote the script.
When pressed on Twitter about the status of the film, Blomkamp stated, “Script is being written. Going well! Imagine watching Verhoeven do a follow up film.” That, of course, refers to original RoboCop director Paul Verhoeven. Not long after, a second inquiry came about the RoboCop suit and whether it was being used. “1 million% original,” was the director’s reply.
Script is being written. Going well! Imagine watching Verhoeven do a follow up film Nicholas Whitcomb on Twitter
— Neill Blomkamp (@NeillBlomkamp) June 29, 2019
1 million% original BramhallPTGYM on Twitter
— Neill Blomkamp (@NeillBlomkamp) June 29, 2019
While little is known in terms of casting as of yet, the new film supposedly finds RoboCop attempting to defeat Clarence Boddicker, who has been resurrected into a machine, as the madman attempts to destroy Detroit. Boddicker was played in the original film by Kurtwood Smith.
— Neill Blomkamp (@NeillBlomkamp) June 29, 2019
1 million% original BramhallPTGYM on Twitter
— Neill Blomkamp (@NeillBlomkamp) June 29, 2019
While little is known in terms of casting as of yet, the new film supposedly finds RoboCop attempting to defeat Clarence Boddicker, who has been resurrected into a machine, as the madman attempts to destroy Detroit. Boddicker was played in the original film by Kurtwood Smith.
There was no comment on when the film would be expected to arrive.
Sources: Neill Blomkamp Is Making a New ‘RoboCop’ Movie , ‘RoboCop Returns’ Will Feature Original Suit
