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'RoboCop' Director José Padilha Wants Fassbender for His Remake

by Alex Billington
September 24, 2011
Source: Bleeding Cool

There's a story going around right now that includes some quotes from Brazilian director José Padilha talking about some of his ideas and plans for the upcoming RoboCop remake, which he took over earlier this year once Aronofsky was off. The quotes are translated via Bleeding Cool from a Brazilian interview in Portuguese (here) that has Padilha talking about who he wants to star - Fassbender, Michael Fassbender, is the name he mentions. "I'd like to talk to him — I'll talk to him," Padilha says. "There's a possibility… and there's a lot of other great actors that would play RoboCop." Obviously these are just hopes and speculation.

It was only announced in March that Padilha wound be directing MGM's revived RoboCop remake/reboot, plus he's got a project called Tri-Border in the works as well. Padilha is the Brazilian director of cult hits Elite Squad and Elite Squad 2: The Enemy Within and is on the edge of his Hollywood debut. "I'll film RoboCop," he says. "I'm indeed writing the script, the writer is here with me in Rio, we've spent over the last 15 days working together, refining the script." But they're still very early on in development, nothing is set in stone. "I'll be traveling back to LA… bringing this new version to discuss with the studio, and maybe begin with the casting, selecting actors… and the idea is to begin filming in February or March," he adds.

As for Michael Fassbender, well, nearly everyone wants Fassbender right now. Not only is he coming off of X-Men: First Class and Jane Eyre, but he's got Haywire, A Dangerous Method and Steven McQueen's Shame coming up, with some potential awards acclaim, plus Ridley Scott's Prometheus next summer. He's an incredibly talented actor, I can understand why everyone wants him. Padilha doesn't mention too much, but this is what he says: "I can't talk yet, it's too early to speak, but there are some actors I like. I really like Fassbender, I'd like to talk to him — I'll talk to him." So the director's current top choice to play the new Officer Alex J. Murphy, better known as your friendly neighborhood RoboCop, is the Michael Fassbender.

Seems like a good choice, especially to follow-up Karl Urban as Judge Dredd. Padilha also confirmed in the interview that the film would be set in Detroit, the same as Paul Verhoeven's original. Padilha was speaking on Brazilian TV talking about how his film Elite Squad 2: The Enemy Within was chosen as Brazil's official Oscar entry this year. So it sounds like this could be ready to start shooting as early as next year, but who knows if the studio (MGM) and all parties involved will be ready by then. Fassbender is a good choice, but I fear he's going to start showing up in everything, too many at once. I want to see him in Prometheus first before I really think about his future. And we'll keep you updated on Padilha's RoboCop in the meantime.

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30 Comments

Oh mu god yes! Fassbender will do Weller proud.

Xerxexx on Sep 24, 2011

yea......BUT - i think the 1st RC was very well done. i don't see the need for the remake.

Anonymous on Sep 24, 2011

True, there was nothing better than seeing Robo in pieces and tossed out of a car, riddled with malfunctions. Or Kurtwood Smith playing a deliciously evil baddie.

Xerxexx on Sep 24, 2011

That was Robocop 2

Geoffrey Shauger on Sep 25, 2011

Was that Robo Cop 2? jeez, how dare I! Must watch Robo Cop pronto!

Xerxexx on Sep 27, 2011

Didn't it almost get a x-rating because of the violence? Great for its time. Won't be the same this time, but ill wait to pass judgment and maybe ill buy that for a dollar.

ur_babys_daddy on Sep 24, 2011

It was a hard core movie, I remember the scene where Smith hits the henchman that was exposed to waste what a mess he made on the car.

Xerxexx on Sep 24, 2011

Yes, and the poor fella got a chopper dropped on him in ER. I also remember that scene where Robocop (in pieces) was tossed out of a car, riddled with malfunctions... in Robocop 2.

Anonymous on Sep 25, 2011

man! i think i'm going to go watch it again, right now!

Anonymous on Sep 25, 2011

He had the badass blade to hack computers or stab ya in the jugular.

ur_babys_daddy on Sep 25, 2011

This director clearly doesn't know Fassbender is supposed to film two movies at the beginning of 2012. Do they really think such an amazing actor would be interested in a lame remake? Have you seen his films before talking about overexposure? You can barely recognise him from X-Men to A Dangerous Method. We're talking about Oscar stuff. Why would he want to spend a movie with half of his face covered and his voice distorted.

Jen on Sep 24, 2011

You mean why wouldn't he want to spen a movie with his face half covered up and voice distorted? I'm much more excited for Prometheus. I also think he'd make a great Spike for the Cowboy Bebop film.

Xerxexx on Sep 24, 2011

A huge check,great script,guranteed box office appeal of film,leading man status in a major production....there's some reasons there. A lot of actors balance of pet projects with box office films.I think Weller was excellant in the original and its suprising he didn't have a bigger career.

tir na nog on Sep 25, 2011

I agree. Robocop doesn't seem worthy of the guy's talent...

Anonymous on Sep 25, 2011

when I read this I thought of 2 scenrios in my head: Total Recall casting meeting Producer: "who can we possibly get to replace Arnold?" Director: "not sure, maybe someone awesome, but isn't too meat headed, but is still bankable...oh guys! Colin Farell!" Producer: *shakes head in disbelief* "fine...we can afford him at least" while letting out a quite sigh Robocop casting meeting Director: "I want Michael Fessbender..." everyone in the office shuts up and nods their heads silently in agreement ...so yeah, I'm ok with this...

zer0_limit on Sep 25, 2011

I don't believe I'll be buying this for a dollar.

grimjob on Sep 25, 2011

At least if he springs into a spontaneous Irish accent it'll make a sort of sense

Richie G on Sep 25, 2011

LOL

John on Oct 31, 2011

I could see him doing that... though I think they're casting him for his chin/jaw

Nick Sears on Sep 25, 2011

They better bring an interesting aspect to robocop this time around like giving him the ability to run instead of looking like a walking tin can. If the script is really good then Fassbender would be up for the idea to take on the character other from that I don't think he would be interested in a rushed money maker film.

Anonymous on Sep 25, 2011

FASSBENDER!! OMG YESSSS

Abcxyz on Sep 25, 2011

What? Fassbender is too good of an actor for this lame piece of metal. Sorry Jose! No. At least you can see real talent when you see it. Fassbender is headed for the Oscars!

Lolsgotcha on Sep 25, 2011

Yeah, well... there's a lot of people that want to "talk" to Michael Fassbender. Fans come first, not doomed-to-fail crap. 😀

Jrp7sen on Sep 25, 2011

FASSBENDER! Run away!! You are too good for this! lol! Truly!

Jordan on Sep 25, 2011

I agree. He would look cool I guess in that uniform, but he is too busy with better videos anyway. D: He is just out of this movies league. Too awesome.

Jrp7sen on Sep 25, 2011

wtf, why is my avatar not working on my main post? T_T

Jrp7sen on Sep 25, 2011

oh, because it's confusing my tumblr account (Kyle) with this. Got it.

Jrp7sen on Sep 25, 2011

LOL. They do know that Fassy is probably one of the most busiest men out there in British and American film and has no time for Grade D movies? If not, I will tell them myself.

Kayla on Sep 25, 2011

Why don't they just do a decent sequel instead of trying to remake the brilliant original? Who doesn't already know the origin of or seen the 1987 RoboCop? The guys remaking it drive 6000 SUX cars.

Anonymous on Sep 26, 2011

Great idea.

tir na nog on Sep 26, 2011

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