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Oh No, Another Judge Dredd Movie Has Been Greenlit?!

by Alex Billington
December 20, 2008
Source: 2000 AD Forums

In the future, one man is the law. Am I the only one who confuses Judge Dredd and RoboCop all the time? Whatever the case, DNA Films (of Sunshine and 28 Weeks Later) has greenlit another Judge Dredd project. Apparently the film will be something of a reimagining, going all the way back to the 2000 AD comics that Sylvester Stallone's 1995 film was based on as well. The news comes from the official 2000 AD forums, where Jason Kingsley left this message for fans: "We can't give away too many details at this point, but we're looking forward to working with DNA Films to bring Judge Dredd back to the big screen."

Judge Dredd is a law enforcement officer in a violent city of the future where uniformed judges combine the powers of police, judge, jury and executioner. Dredd and his fellow judges are empowered to arrest, sentence and even execute criminals on the spot. Now that I think about it, this still does sound a lot like RoboCop and I don't ever remember seeing the Stallone film, even though I'm familiar with the name. This new Judge Dredd will head into production in 2009, but that's all we know at the moment. Is there any hope for this character or does everyone only want to see Darren Aronofsky's new RoboCop?

Filed under Movie News, Opinions

From around the web:

MrSammich

F*ck yeah, I admit that the Stallone movie was garbage, but that wasn't his fault, it had an awesome cast, Jurgen Prochnow, Max Von Sydow, Diane Lane, it was just horrible story that made that movie what it was. Me and Waffle Man often talk about how that movie had awesome potential and how it should be remade. Unfortunately Stallone is a little too old now because he was PERFECT for Dredd, but if they take the movie seriously they can make a huge, successful franchise out of it.
Chris

I don't really know what im reading. Granted i havent seen all of the first one but i havent heard great things about it. I dont really know.
DCompose

I hope this becomes a dystopian-futuristic sci-fi legal thriller! "Objection!" "Sustained!" "Heresay!" "I am the law!"
Nate

Some comicbooks are not meant to be movies. This is one of them.
moif

If they stick to the original concept, instead of trying to sell the idea of Judge Dredd to clueless Americans, they then might get a decent film going. Stallone was not a good choice from my perspective. He wanted his face on screen and that ignored everything Judge Dredd is. Instead of the faceless character of The Law, indifferent to the concept of 20th century justice, Judge Dredd played by Stallone became a 'good guy', and even a victim. They should have used some unknown actor Unforgiveable. Dredd is a stone cold fascist. Thats his appeal. He doesn't do PC, and he can't be excused by making him into a victim of genetic engineering. He is a product of his society, Megacity 1. If they stick to the original concept, then perhaps people won't be confusing Judge Dredd with that rubbish 'Robocop'.
Darunia

I don't know how much your mind can handle Alex, but this is dick shit like Robocop. As far as a i know, robocop is A) A cyborg; B) A single one; C) Doesn't have more power than any other cop. Here, the agents, besides being human, and multiple, as you said they "combine the powers of police, judge, jury and executioner." Sounds really different to me. Have you ever seen Robocop? I knew you don't know much about Dredd.
BaDGuY

the gun of Sly was the best thing of the whole movie>>
MrSammich

This has the same potential to be good as the last one, as long as they don't totally F it up I will give it another chance.
SHANEDAV

It took me 7 years to watch the first one........................ Strange thing is it was OK I would to see more before I reserve judgment
vic

judge dredd rules!
Christopher Marc

Alex, why would you use the term "Oh No, Another Judge Dredd Movie" and already have a pre-determined judgement..if you haven't even watched the first film...although it wasn't a perfect movie the sets, props and special effects were amazing....I think it's just as valid bringing this back as much as Robocop...personally I think Stallone and Rob Schnider ruined the movie along with a lousy third act..It's an interesting character and environment.. considering all the horrible comicbook movies they're greenlighting at least this one people might enjoy
Dan W

There were a lot of good things in the first Dredd movie. But there were also a lot of bad things. But I feel that the new robocop might overshadow this movie, depending on when they are released of course. But I am happy to hear that judge dredd is getting a remake.
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/group.php?gid=39669093028&ref=mf Jason S

JUDGE DREDD created by John Wagner 1977 ROBOCOP written by Edward Neumeier and Micheal Miner in 1987 Judge Dredd Movie 1995 was based upon the Comics character above but got a serious Hollywood makeover and all the glitz thereon. If you paid a little intrest to your subject matter and researched Judge Dredd you should see that most of the associations from RoboCop are derived from Dredd. To be frank RoboCop is a complete ripoff of Dredd and a rusty one at that. I think should you pick up a copy of a Dredd story or two you would find that theres more to Dredds world than meets the eye.
seoulman

"If you eat shit, you'll be fed shit..." Enough of the remakes, reboots, reimaginings, or whatever you want to call them. Movies are all about money, and if you don't go out and see the crap that the studios are releasing, maybe, just maybe, we get more original and qulaity projects.
Matt

"Is there any hope for this character or does everyone only want to see Darren Aronofsky's new RoboCop?" Everyone wants to see Aronofsky's Robocop remake? I don't. The original is a classic - and nothing like Judge Dredd in any form, to refer back to that comment - so I say leave it alone.
Movieman

I think that if they do this one really well, that it could be a start of a whole new series of films of this great character - Judge Dredd! Bring It on - Happy Christmas to my son Dean who is the best!
The_Phantom

I actually think that a new Robocop would be pretty bad ass. And they got a good director for it too. As for this Judd Dredd I kind of have a feeling it's won't do well. But that's just cause I never really cared for it. We should make a forum to guess what's next for hollywood remakes. I'm guessing, Total Recall.
mos

i was actually saying yesterday that im hoping for a new dredd movie or at least a kick ass xbox 360 game. heres a little present for u guys lol http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6cyDsuNx_U
Matt

#17 - Sshhh!!! Some idiotic studio executive will hear you! Total Recall is another of my favourite films. Please God, no remake! Certainly, having Aronofsky at the helm of a Robocop remake makes me slightly less depressed than if it was Ratner, Bay or Wiseman, but still, it's completely unnecessary.
http://www.drduvel.net Dr.Duvel

/sigh where to begin? 1. Dredd - Awesome. No Argument possible. If you don't agree, then you're wrong. He is the Law. 2. Judge Dredd the Movie - Terrible. Arguments will be considered before being rejected. 3. It wasn't Stallone that fucked this up, it was Danny Cannon, the director. You know, that guy who went on to do those classics ...... like ... like ... ah yes, that half baked shite CSI. 4. yes, your right "shite" gives it away, I am British and therefore totally biased when it comes to the superiority of Judge Dredd (unless Rogue Tropper is involved) 5. Another Judge Dredd Film, whilst initially under consideration, was thrown out by Stallone when he saw the tripe that Cannon ended up with. There were sooo many things wrong with that film but also, frustratingly, so many things very very right with it.... The opening scene, the feel of MegaCity One at Ground level, Hammerstein, Mean Machine, but still they couldn't save it. 6. I think a new look at Judge Dredd in movie form has been largely inevitable since Revolution comics bought all rights to 2000AD in 19XX??? They've done a great job of re-releasing some classic back catalogue in collected formats, they orchestrated a semi-decent Judge Dredd FPS game and just sem to have a better business brain when it comes to the potential of this material than fleetway ever did. 7. Dredd has a mass of background material to work with, some of it is poor, (as are a lot of superman/batman stories) but most of it is good and some of it is exceptional. A movie based on this could be great. As #5 correctly points out, "Dredd is a stone cold fascist", the law is the law and if you breach it you are penalised, zeor exceptions, zero tolerance. Any attempt to make him likeable and "humanise" that character would probably fail. And the bikes were shit.
peloquin

Fuck, I just read on Joblo that Arronofsky is "losing interest" in the Robocop project and according to what he said on the Howard Stern show it doesn't look like he's going to do it anymore. Check it out: http://www.joblo.com/index.php?id=24364 Pisses me off because I just bought that Alamo Drafthouse poster in anticipation for this reboot.
pit-face

can it be saved? uh...yeah.... like any movie, it's all up to the director and actors and writing and all that shit. of corse it can if it's in the right hands. the premises of Dredd is a great one and the stories are very clever! there's absolutely NO reason why someone couldnt make this work. and since i've given my two cents i've gotta say, if you havent even SEEN the original movie, how the hell can you compare it to anything? unless you actually read Dredd and have been a fan of it, i doubt you're a very good choice to write this article. eh, i guess it's just your job, but still, it seems kind of stupid to compare the potential of this movie to that of the OTHER Dredd movie instead of the actual stories when as far as we know, the people creating it are different then the other movie. ......it'd be kick ass to see some dark judge action in this one...
http://www.tomvatterott.blogspot.com Tom V

So gross...Gad I hope this is at least decent.
Darrin

vin diesel should be judge dredd
avoidz

RoboCop and Judge Dredd. Two completely different characters/stories. In common? Law enforcement. Sheesh.
mrbobbyboy

This is the worst Alex article yet. You haven't even seen the first film, yet you pass judgement. Amazing. I'm with #5 on this. When Edward Norton played the dying leper king in Ridley Scott's Kingdom of Heaven he was happy to have his face covered by a silver mask for the entire film. Because that was what the role required. Stallone's insistence on showing his big craggy face took from Dredd everything that made the character. The comics are raw - the film should epitomise that quality. There's hope here, but not a lot.
themanfrommu

Robocop was developed as a film after the producer of Robocop unsuccessfully attempted to option the rights for Judge Dredd. He developed his own film based as closely on Judge Dredd as possible without risking legal action from 2000AD's lawyers. So there is a very good reason why the writer of the article confuses the two. This presumably hamstrung how the producers of Judge Dredd were able to develop their film for fear of being too much like Robocop. Oh the irony. So, which most deserves a reboot: the original or a copy of the original?
Fenris

Im hoping they do make a new Judge Dredd. growing up as an avid comic book reader and 2000ad being the comic i waited for each week J,D was a big part of it. The adult themes and underlying mentallity of it was something not seen before ( before even watchmen it dealt with political & social themes ). the Stallone film had one good thing going for it... the look of Megacity and the tech was awesome.
Christopher Marc

I don't even think JoBlo even listened to the interview on Howard Stern...Aronofsky just didn't confirm he was directing yet...he was more interested in coming up with a good script...he is still writing Robocop, I think depending on the quality of the draft he would be offered the directing duties... I hate when blogs post second hand "quotes" without double checking or wanting to hear something that wasn't said...
http://tinyurl.com/kentonspill Kent

so you say "oh no" for a film that could be awesome based on what you HEAR the last film was like? ugh... uniformed asses rule the internet don't they?
Moviegimp

If they did the movie right then it would be all kinds of cool. Dredd is nothing like Robocop and like nothing before or after. There are things that might be dated, if you read the lyrics below you will see mention of the Sovs but still that story line, the Apocalypse war, would make a great movie. I would love to see Judge Anderson and the phy corp and Judge Death, that would be awesome. The Stallone movie had the look just not the story or tone of Dredd and that third act was the worse. If they do it right this time I'm there! I Am The Law . Lyrics Artist(Band):Anthrax Fifteen years in the academy He was like no cadet they'd ever seen A man so hard, his veins bleed ice And when he speaks he never says it twice They call him Judge, his last name is Dredd So break the law, and you wind up dead Truth and justice are what he's fighting for Judge Dredd the man, he is the law DROKK IT! With gun and bike he rules the streets And every perp he meets will taste defeat Not even Death can overcome his might Cause Dredd and Anderson, they won the fight When the Sov's started the Apocalypse war Mega-City was bombed to the floor Dredd resisted, and the judges fought back Crushed the Sov's with their counter-attack DROKK IT! Respect the badge - he earned it with his blood Fear the gun - your sentence may be death because... Chorus I AM THE LAW! And you won't fuck around no more - I AM THE LAW I judge the rich, I judge the poor - I AM THE LAW Commit a crime I'll lock the door - I AM THE LAW Because in Mega-City... I AM THE LAW In the cursed earth where mutants dwell There is no law, just a living hell Anarchy and chaos as the blood runs red But this would change if it was up to Dredd The book of law is the bible to him And any crime committed is a sin He keeps the peace with his law-giver Judge, jury, and executioner DROKK IT! CRIME - The ultimate sin Your iso-cube is waiting when he brings you in LAW - It's what he stands for Crime's his only enemy and he's going to war
pit-face

fuck yeah! Anthrax rules! i got their autogharphs a few years ago when they had the belladonna line up back together for that short time and one of the things i had them sign was my Judge Dredd: Judgement Day book. they etter have that song in the movie.
Movieraider321

Why am I not surprised that Alex Billington has taken yet another oppurtunity to bash anything his mind doesn't deem decent. It's becoming sickening, if your hating todays media and the way Hollywood is, quit your bitching and do something about it. Really.
Jax

If they do it right, a new Dredd would be fucking awsome. They wont do it right though. Would kinda like to see what Alexandre Aja could do with it as director... Also, anyone else think "Marv" from Sin City would be PERFECT as Dredd?? not so much Mickey Rourke, but Marv
Bry from Chi

What the frell???
http://www.autumnrain2110.com David J. Williams

Let me see if I've got this straight. Alex knows nothing of the 2000 AD/Judge Dredd source material (and has no idea that it's so far superior to American comix it's not even #$# funny), and he didn't see the original movie (sure it sucked, but does it sound like Alex even has the faintest clue as to why?) . . and yet he wants to impress us with his theories about Robocop and Judge Dredd? WTF? And he clearly hasn't even thought through the implications of having the guys from 28 Days Later and Sunshine involved on this project. Those guys are into INTENSITY: and they're obviously going to try to have a go at getting the true essence of Judge Dredd and Mega City One across on the screen. I don't know if they'll succeed, but it's going to be interesting watching them try. And by the way, bet you any amount of money the Judge Dredd mark two ain't gonna remove his helmet.
drich90215

Judge Dredd is one of the best comic characters ever created-far superior to a lot of the generic American super heroes that have had decent movie adaptations and needs to be done correctly on screen. The key to the character is his lack of emotion; he's not a robot but his personality is completely tied in with what is right or wrong in the eyes of the law. That's the reason behind his catch phrase 'I am the law ', He has no regard for the other trivialities of life like love - he only loves the law anything else has been burned from his psyche or repressed. That's the point of the character and what makes him unique, he's like a machine with no regard for even himself and he'll go to any degree to protect the law of his city. The screen writer of the original movie (William Wisher I think) had absolutely no idea about how to portray the character. When it comes down to it - Dredd is simple to write when you realize that he only has one real motivation, and all the comedy and absurdity in the comic arise from his tunnel vision in following the letter of the law. Hes a man who IS a machine - More than Robobop. Speaking of Robocop Paul Verhoeven freely admitted at the time of its release that Dredd was a major influence in his approach to feel of the movie. Judge dredd is a much more layered and interesting world to explore. If you want an emotional center to a Dredd story - that will come from other characters like Chopper, Anderson or PJ Maybe - not Dredd himself. There are precedents onscreen of characters that we like but don't really 'Know ' - COLUMBO being one example - it can be done, so there's no need for Hollywood to muck it up again. Get Pat Mills Alan Grant or John Wagner involved with the script they're all geniuses. Actor wise I think Clint Eastwood was the template but its too late for him now. Mickey Rourke would be a better choice than Ron Perlman, either would be good. On looks alone the actor Richard Burgi would be a good choice - Look him up. Better Still find an actor that can pull it off as well as Eastwood would have. Definitely not Jason Statham. DO IT RIGHT THIS TIM