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Remake Rumors: Chris Pine for 'RoboCop' and Josh Brolin for 'Oldboy'

by Ethan Anderton
July 12, 2011

With both of these projects finally having directors lined up, it's no surprise that we're starting to hear about casting for the remakes of both RoboCop and Oldboy. Over at Twitch, they seem to have the hot scoop on some very early, but still speculative casting for both projects, and each report is interesting in its own way. One report has Star Trek lead Chris Pine as the top choice to take on the titular metallic police enforcer from director Jose Padilha while another has Josh Brolin being in very early discussions to take on a role in the remake of Oldboy which just had Spike Lee confirmed to direct the feature.

With RoboCop, nothing is official yet, but apparently MGM is very keen on having Pine lead the film. Of course, every studio wants Pine in their next big blockbuster, so that's no surprise. What remains to be seen is whether or not Pine is interested, or if director Jose Padilha also wants the actor to take the role. The real news here is that MGM is going for a much younger RoboCop this time around. Peter Weller was about ten years older than Pine is now when he made the original film back in 1987, not to mention that Pine is more of an action figure than Weller was in his day. Personally, I'm not sure he fits the part, and would rather have someone with some grit take on the role. Too bad Tom Hardy is likely too busy to take on the role.

On the Oldboy side of the news, apparently no deal's are in place for Brolin's casting, but once again he tops a wishlist at Mandate to play the character that will represent Choi Min-Sik in the remake. There's no former offer or even negotiations yet, so at this point it's very early to say whether or not this casting would happen, but it seems like a perfect fit. Of course, Idris Elba has been mentioned as a great candidate as well. Either way, I don't think race will be an issue with the film since Twitch also says this will be a remake in the same fashion that The Departed was a remake of Infernal Affairs: same story, different settings, certain character changes, about 20% of new script material but not a shot-for-shot remake. Casting will be the hardest thing for this remake, but I'm already interested in seeing what Spike Lee can do with a property like Oldboy.

Do you have any casting ideas for either the RoboCop or Oldboy remake?

Filed under Casting, Movie News, Rumors

From around the web:

Neuromancer

Younger Robocop, hmm... I don't know, maybe Patrick Wilson (not really younger) or Zachary Quinto? No real idea who could play the titular character tbh, I think it's a harder choice if they want a younger actor.
- Jericho
  
  Channing Tatum...emotionless cardboard actor with a helmet
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1593169740 Chris Amaya

Tom Hardy would be a good choice. RoboCop needs a deep voice. Pine doesn't seem like a good fit.
Moutchy

Mmh, I can see Brolin as the lead in Old Boy's remake. But there's no way the directing can be better than Chan Wook's. The bar is pretty high in my book.
Lagoya

I like Chris pine but I'm not sure he is a good for this role. Its difficult because to me peter weller IS and always will be robocop! I think Jackie earl Hayley would be perfect for Clarence bodicker though!
GammaJam55

I think most remakes should never be attempted as a general statement. However, I really enjoy watching Chris Pine on the screen and I think that even though Weller was the man as the classical Robocop that the remake might be a decent campy option to watch if they approach it the right way. Spike's option on Oldboy is a terrible one. Chan-wook is the man and his direction is thrilling. Not only does he produce a great visual storyline but I really enjoy how he makes such a simple shot look incredible. He takes time and patience in a lot of factors of film making that I believe a lot of other directors overlook. Spike will just take this film as another excuse to try and display his persona as some hip dude who is ahead in the times of understanding some secret meaning and involve a lame racism parallel and blah blah blah. We get it Spike now it's time to walk away from the game just like Ewing and Starks did after they realized they could never be as good as the best.
- jah p
  
  You're full of it if you think spike is gonna show some type of racism in this movie! It's already apparent that he's casting the main character as caucasion, so what the hell is your point?
- Anonymous
  
  You're an idiot, Gammajam55.
Anonymous

Anyone can play Robocop.
grimjob

Leave RoboCop alone! Its perfect, and doesn't need to be remade!
Anonymous

Robocop was awesome due to the fact of almost receiving a rated x for violence and social commentary about the greed in the 80s. It was followed up by poor sequels and a couple of mediocre syfy originals. Leave it be.
jah p

I'd like to see Paul Bettany play Robocop and I'm cool with Brolin for the Oldboy remake, but who's gonna play his nemesis?his "oldboy" pal!lol!! While we're on the subject of Korean movies, how bout some mention of City of Violence! now that was beyond awesome!!
Caldercrisis

Oldboy should never be remade! But if they're going to do it they should cast Gary Oldman. He would own it!
- boohoo
  
  Good choice, but he's a little too old for the role don't you think.
Jericho

who can play robocop?....heh Channing Tatum, the man already talks like hes cardboard anyways so just slap on a helmet and your golden
vegasdanny

Id rather see Brolin as Robocop! right age..right voice...right chin!
Bentoboxbobby

Viggo Mortenson as Robocop