Michael Keaton Replaces Hugh Laurie in ROBOCOP

The MGM and Columbia Pictures RoboCop reboot, directed by Jose Padilha, will feature Michael Keaton as the villainous CEO of Omni Corp, who creates Robocop for his own gain.

The role of Raymond Sellars was previously being circled by Hugh Laurie and was thought to go to Clive Owen.

But Padilha said in a statement:

Michael is the final addition to the amazing cast we have assembled for this film, and it is so great to have the last puzzle piece in place. It is thrilling that everything has come together to bring this innovative new vision of RoboCop to life. We’ve got a great script, a great cast, some killer ED-209s, and I can’t wait to get Alex Murphy back on the streets.

Fresh off turns in Toy Story 3 and The Other Guys Keaton joins Joel Kinnaman, Gary Oldman, Samuel L. Jackson, Jackie Earle Haley, Jay Baruchel, Jennifer Ehle, Michael Kenneth Williams and Marianne Jean-Baptiste in the film.

After roles like Tim Burton’s Batman films, there’s no doubt Keaton will be on the verge of a big comeback.

The RoboCop reboot is set to start production next month with a release date scheduled for February 7th, 2014.

Source: Deadline