Robocop Remake Might Star Russell Crowe, Lands A New Screenwriter
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Literally moments after we posted the original story below about screenwriter Nick Schenk signing on to write Robocop, we heard word about a possible leading man: Russell Crowe himself!
The news comes via Variety reporter Jeff Sneider, who tweeted the possibility earlier this morning:
What do you think about the prospect of Russell Crowe as Robocop? It’s odd that his name would be floated, since he’s also been rumored as the lead for the Noah movie being made by Darren Aronofsky…the last director who was going to helm the Robocop remake. Strange things are afoot at the Circle K.
[Original Story Below]
Part of Hollywood’s continuing “Remake Every Movie Released in the Last Thirty Years” initiative, the new Robocop film has been in the works for quite some time now. For a while, it was going to be directed by Darren Aronofsky, and that at least had the potential to be interesting. I’m still not convinced remaking Robocop is at all a good idea, but if you must, I would have liked to see what an Aronofsky Robocop movie looked like. Sadly, Aronofsky eventually jumped ship for a different ship, leaving the Robo retread in the hands of director Jose Padilha (Elite Squad). Now the remake has moved a step closer by landing a new writer.
The Hollywood Reporter says that MGM has hired screenwriter Nick Schenk for the job. Schenk’s only produced feature film of note was the Clint Eastwood angry-old-man flick Gran Torino, but his assignment makes sense — he’s also penning the movie Tri-Border for…wait for it…Jose Padilha. The story doesn’t provide any quotes from Schenk or tidbits on what his take on the material might be like. Given his collaborative history with Padilha, however, it’s probably safe to assume they’re on the same page with how they want to tell the story.
Supposedly MGM wants Robocop to start shooting this summer, so assuming they continue targeting that date, we’ll likely hear lots of frantic casting news over the next few months. The big question, of course, is who will be stepping into the role played so perfectly the first time by Peter Weller? Michael Fassbender has been rumored for the role, and I have no doubt he could do a hell of a job with it, but so far that’s just rumors. Who would you like to see play the new Robocop?
Thanks to Corona Coming Attractions for pointing out the tweet!
