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Darren Aronofsky Almost Confirmed for RoboCop Reboot

by Kevin Powers
July 17, 2008
Source: Bloody Disgusting

Since the passing mention of a new RoboCop film in an MGM press release back in March, not much has surfaced regarding the questionable project. Well, we did have a mildly exciting teaser poster that MGM whipped up for the Licensing International Expo. Besides that, though, the most interesting tidbit crept onto everyone's radar last week when a rumor hit saying that the talented filmmaker Darren Aronofsky (Pi, Requiem for a Dream, The Fountain) might possibly be helming the project. This week on Bloody Disgusting (via our friends at SlashFilm) they somewhat confirm this suspicion and additionally bring us word that the new RoboCop film apparently will not be a straight remake. Do tell!

BD learned that "MGM and Phoenix Pictures are close to pegging Darren Aronofsky." This is a bit more solid than last week's news that he was simply one of many directors in to discuss the project. So what would this mean for a new RoboCop movie? Unlike Alex (read here), I'm not overly enthusiastic about Aronosky's involvement. Yet. The Brooklyn native has certainly proven his mettle with the darker corners of storytelling, but is RoboCop intricate enough for the director to really shine? I think we can all agree that the original series certainly had its own special form of social commentary. We can agree, as well, that whatever smart drama therein was clouded by an incredible amount of blood and violence. RoboCop is not exactly a delicately told story. However, given the PG-13-happy productions of late (Live Free or Die Hard, upcoming Terminator Salvation), one has to wonder what essence of RoboCop will carry through.

That brings me to the other big news today. The new film will be set in: "Present day Los Angeles, 20 years after the termination of the RoboCop program, the city decides to reinstate the program." Readers are naturally taking that to mean the new film will be a sequel as opposed to a straight remake. But with Aronofsky involved, can we really expect a new installment in the classic RoboCop vein? Probably not. So actually, it seems like the new RoboCop movie will be half reboot, half sequel, bringing in the artful sensibilities of Aronofsky. But if I might pose a question: What do we think RoboCop will look like 20 years post retirement? I happened to catch RoboCop 2 a few weeks back and took note of how clunky he looks today. Might RoboCop take on a sophisticated exterior ala Iron Man? And come to think of it, will a new film cause the metal hero space to be a bit cramped? What do you think?

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