Filmonic » Darren Aronofsky

New director for Robocop?

Liam — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 01:05:42 +0000

Last month we heard that director Darren Aronofsky and screenwriter David Self were still working on the Robocop script, no casting had been completed and MGM were aiming for a 2011 release. However, Aronofsky’s Black Swan is edging closer to being made, and that could cause some timing conflicts with MGM’s Robocop plans.

From Risky Business:

The director is on the verge of a deal that would have him helming passion project “Black Swan” later this year. While a few budget and financing issues on the Natalie Portman-toplined supernatural drama still need be to ironed out, people familiar with the situation say Aronofsky pretty much has indie financing for the pic set, with Fox Searchlight (which of course distribbed his “The Wrestler” last year) monitoring pre-production closely and potentially coming aboard at a later stage.
But a fall start has another potential consequence: it throws into question Aronofsky’s involvement on “Robocop,” the MGM reboot of the 1987 hit that has been a highly anticipated project for both MGM and the fanboy universe.
Though it would be a tight fit, MGM could essentially hit the pause button until early-mid 2010, when Aronofsky is finished with “Swan,” and still make its 2011 release-date target.
But insiders in the rep community say the studio has also quietly put out feelers for other directors who could come on to “Robocop” in case the timing doesn’t work out.

Darren Aronofsky has been slowly working on Robocop for a while, so it would be a shame for him to leave the project when things finally start to gain speed. Obviously, if MGM get a capable director then all will be fine, however if they ‘downgrade’ then we could have another unsuccessful reboot on our hands.

No Robocop till 2011

Liam — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 14:14:40 +0000

We haven’t had an update on Darren Aronofsky’s Robocop reboot for months now and it’s been exactly one year since the first poster was revealed. So what’s going on? Well io9 got a little curious after an announcement of a new Robocop comics title this week and decided to call MGM for an update.

An MGM spokesman told us the project is still on track — though not for a 2010 release, as reports initially suggested. The rep said that the studio had told distributors at an event a couple weeks ago to expect the movie in 2011. He said director Darren Aronofsky (The Wrestler, The Fountain) and screenwriter David Self (Road to Perdition) were still working on the script, and that no casting had been completed.

So it’s not dead, it’s just been moving at snail pace for the past year. Reboots are happening all over the place now, with Star Trek and Terminator being the most recent and more on the way (Predator, Aliens) so I don’t see why Robocop can’t get in on the action too, especially with a cool creative team such as Darren Aronofsky and David Self.

Darren Aronofsky Talks Robocop

Liam — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 19:49:07 +0000

Back in July it was announced that the director of The Fountain and Requiem for a Dream, would be directing the Robocop sequel/reboot. This meant that there was a 95% chance that the remake will not suck. Since July things have been a bit quite, as Aronofsky has been busy on other films, however he recently spoke to Empire about how things are progressing.

“It’s a real reinvention,” he told us, responding to those rumours that the movie would somehow follow on or be a direct sequel to Paul Verhoeven’s 1987 original. “Me and David Self are working on the screenplay. He’s a great, great writer and we’re trying to do something new and fresh. We’ll see what happens when the screenplay comes.”
“I’m a big fan of the original. It still holds up as an amazing film, and I think it’s more just looking at that same type of material in the 21st century and seeing where it leads us.”

If all goes to plan Robocop will be released sometime in 2010.

Darren Aronofsky Confirmed For Robocop

Liam — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 23:31:21 +0000

Slashfilm have word that Darren Aronofsky, director of The Fountain and Requiem for a Dream, will be directing the Robocop sequel/reboot.

MGM has confirmed that Darren Aronofsky will direct the upcoming Robocop sequel/reboot. David Self (Road to Perdition) is tapped to write a script, which is rumored to take place in “Present day Los Angeles, 20 years after the termination of the RoboCop program, the city decides to reinstate the program.” Phoenix Pictures’ co-presidents Brad Fischer and David Thwaites say it will be “an entertaining and provocative film,” which might be a stab at rumors of a possible PG-13 version. The film is being fast tracked for a 2010 release.