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.
Darren Aronofsky to Direct RoboCop Remake?
As is the way of the entertainment industry, there was one great film and iffy sequels in the Robocop franchise, and thus, it is due to be recycled. Not a problem, because Robocop is absolutely awesome. The 1987 original, however, was more than just a straight-up sci-fi action flick, but it had a strong satirical tone about the old ultra-violence and the decay of society. For example, the city of Detroit is essentially owned by a giant corporation called Omni Consumer Products, to the point where the mayor is largely ignored by both the conglomerate and the public, which views the CEO as their real figurehead.
So any remake of Robocop is to be looked upon with trepidation, as the tendency would likely be to ignore all that and just go for broke with a super-cyborg martial law machine that probably doesn’t have a big hulking metal body anymore, but rather looks just like Shia LaBeouf with implanted gadgetry here and there.
The news that Darren Aronofsky, among others, is in talks to helm the picture. Aronofsky is the man behind the most depressing film ever, “Requiem for a Dream,” and the recently released “The Fountain.” He is clearly a talented filmmaker and was once even offered to redo the Batman franchise, before Christopher Nolan stepped in but he was “too dark” for Warner Bros., might be taking the helm is an interesting sign. He doesn’t take the easy way out of anything, as Requiem’s depressing assault on human decency illustrates. If he can strike the right balance between action, humor and commentary that made the original so brilliant, there’s a chance Requiem for a Robocop might not let us all down.
‘Basic Instinct’ Director Paul Verhoeven Suggest Jesus A Product Of Rape
“Basic Instinct” director Paul Verhoeven has written a book that contradicts biblical teaching by suggesting that Jesus might have been fathered by a Roman soldier who raped Mary.An Amsterdam publishing house said Wednesday it will publish the Dutch filmmaker’s biography of Jesus, “Jesus of Nazareth: A Realistic Portrait,” in September.
Verhoeven is best known as the director of blockbuster films including “Basic Instinct” and “RoboCop,” but he is also a member of “Jesus Seminar,” a group of scholars and authors that seeks to establish historical facts about Jesus.
Marianna Sterk of the publishing house J.M. Meulenhoff said the book includes several ideas that run contrary to Christian faith, including the suggestion that Jesus could be the son of a Roman soldier who raped Mary during a Jewish uprising against Roman rule in 4 B.C.
The book also claims that Judas Iscariot was not responsible for Jesus’ betrayal, she said.
The movie director’s claims were greeted with some skepticism among those who have dedicated their careers to studying the life of Jesus. One issue is that there is very little information about the life of Jesus outside of the Gospels. The Gospels as understood by Christians for nearly 2,000 years do not support Verhoeven’s ideas.
Return Of The ‘Robocop’
MGM recently announced the promotion of a former Vice Chairman of Worldwide Production for Universal Pictures to a Chairperson at MGM. During the same news announcement MGM also mentioned some of the franchises that are going to grace the silver screen including, amongst others: ‘The Hobbit’, ‘The Outer Limits’ and ‘Robocop’.
MGM is planning an exciting fall and winter release schedule. In partnership with Sony Pictures Entertainment, MGM will bring new installments of two of its tentpole franchises — the new James Bond movie Quantum of Solace and Steve Martin in Pink Panther 2. MGM will also release United Artists’ international thriller Valkyrie, starring Tom Cruise on October 3. With the appointment of Parent, MGM will enter its new phase of evolution by focusing on its major movie franchises highlighted by James Bond and Pink Panther sequels, The Hobbit, Thomas Crown Affair 2, The Outer Limits, Robocop, Death Wish and Fame, among others.
