In a recent interview, director Jose Padilha (Elite Squad) spoke about some big changes fans can expect with MGM’s upcoming “Robocop” remake. Despite the project being in development hell for a few years due to MGM’s bankruptcy and the departure of director Darren Aronofsky, “Robocop” is moving forward and it will be different than the original 1987 Paul Verhoeven film.
Here’s what Padilha had to say:
I love the sharpness and political tone of RoboCop , and I think that such a film is now urgently needed. But I will not repeat what Verhoeven has done so clearly and strongly. Instead I try to make a film that will address topics that Verhoeven untreated. If you are a man changes into a robot, how do you do that? What is the difference between humans and robots developed? What is free will? What does it mean to lose your free will? Those are the issues that I think.
From the sound of it, there seems to be a lot of promise for the reboot. From what I gather, there will be a new layer of depth presented in the film rather than it simply being a sci-fi action film or a comedy (as Robocop 3 later became). One of the things that was barely touched upon in the original was the ethics of creating a robotic cop. Of course, with it being a comic book action film coupled with politic-social commentary, burdening the film with ethics didn’t seem necessary. If not even a bit out of place. Hopefully that’ll change when Padilha gets behind the directing chair, and “Robocop” becomes more than just a popcorn flick.
I try to make movies that I like, that I feel and I deal with social problems involved. I will continue to do where I work. If I can develop in Hollywood, then I make a movie with all the means Hollywood. If that fails, then that movie is not. It is that simple!
While I am bummed out with the departure of Aronofsky (who isn’t?), I have faith in Padilha although I am not familiar with his work at all. At this point, I am just looking forward to a new Robocop film. Hopefully Padilha can do justice to it and revive the franchise.