MGM Signs Darren Aronofsky to Direct New Robocop Movie
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures announced today that they have signed Director Darren Aronofsky to direct the next installment of to Robocop franchise. Aronofsky perhaps best know for his work on “Requiem for a Dream” and “The Fountain” with Hugh Jackman will be joined by writer David Self who wrote “Road to Perdition” and the upcoming film “The Wolf Man“.”Darren is undeniably one of the most talented, original and visceral film makers, and David is one of the greatest writers in Hollywood. All of us at MGM couldn’t be more excited,” said Mary Parent, Chairman, Worldwide Motion Picture Group, MGM.
Mike Medavoy, Arnold Messer, Brad Fischer and David Thwaites of Phoenix Pictures will produce Robocop. Cale Boyter, Executive Vice President Production at MGM will oversee the project. The film is set to be released sometime in 2010.
The original “RoboCop,” written by Edward Neumeier and Michael Miner, was directed with camp adroitness by Paul Verhoeven in 1987 and released by Orion Pictures. It focused on a mortally wounded cop in a futuristic, crime-ridden Detroit who returns to fight corruption in the guise of a tough-talking cyborg. Sequels followed in 1990 and 1993, along with TV series and video games. RoboCop retains a sizable fan base online.
“After making the first ‘RoboCop’ at Orion more than 20 years ago, I’m thrilled to be helping to return this character to the screen through the eyes of Darren Aronofsky and David Self,” Medavoy said.
China Vetos $50m Hollywood Epic Over Opium Scenes
With the US and China at loggerheads over the arrest of four Chinese nationals on suspicion of espionage and Steven Spielberg’s decision to withdraw as an artistic advisor to this summer’s Olympic Games, it seems only fitting that the ongoing battle between Hollywood and China’s film authorities should remain as eventful as ever.Chinese authorities have threatened to derail Mikael Hafstrom’s upcoming Chinese shoot of the $50m (£24m) period epic Shanghai, set to star John Cusack and Gong Li.While specifics were unclear, it is understood that Hollywood’s latest China crisis has erupted over scenes in the script that depict opium use among Chinese.
Eager to portray their people in the best possible light in the year of the Olympics, officials at China’s Film Bureau have demanded changes to the story.
Hafstrom has been in pre-production in China since September ahead of the scheduled March 10 start date and might need to begin scouting for alternative locations if a revised script doesn’t meet with approval.
