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RoboCop (2014 film)

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RoboCop
File:Robocop poster.jpg
Theatrical release poster
Directed byJosé Padilha
Screenplay byJoshua Zetumer
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyLula Carvalho
Edited by
Music byPedro Bromfman
Production
company
Distributed by
Release dates
  • January 30, 2014 (2014-01-30) (Malaysia/Singapore/Taiwan)
  • February 12, 2014 (2014-02-12) (United States)
Running time
117 minutes[1]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$130 million

RoboCop is a 2014 American science fiction action film directed by José Padilha. It is a remake of the 1987 film of the same name and a reboot of the RoboCop film series, making it the fourth installment of the franchise.[2][3] The film stars Joel Kinnaman in the title role.

Screen Gems first announced a remake in 2005, but it was halted one year later. Darren Aronofsky and David Self were originally assigned to direct and write the film, respectively, for a tentative 2010 release. The film was delayed numerous times, and Padilha signed on in 2011. In March 2012, MGM announced an August 2013 release, but that was then changed to February 2014. The principal characters were cast from March to July 2012. Principal photography began in September 2012 in Toronto[4] and Vancouver in Canada,[5] with additional locations in Hamilton and Detroit in the United States.

The film premiered in Malaysia, Singapore and Taiwan on January 30, 2014, in Taiwan on January 31, 2014 and is scheduled for release in the United Kingdom on February 7, 2014 and in the United States on February 12, 2014.[6]

Plot

In 2028, multinational conglomerate OmniCorp is at the center of robot technology. Overseas, their drones have been used by the military for years but the Dreyfuss Act, a publically-supported act preventing drones from being allowed to bear firearms, prevents the drones from being used locally. OmniCorp CEO Raymond Sellars (Michael Keaton) has his marketing team, in conjunction with scientist Dr. Dennett Norton (Gary Oldman), to create a new law enforcement product by combining human and machine.

Policeman Alex Murphy (Joel Kinnaman) is critically injured by a carbomb planted by crooked cops under the payroll of local crime boss Antoine Vallon. Norton picks Murphy for the RoboCop program, and after getting consent from Murphy's wife, Clara (Abbie Cornish), has him outfitted with the Robocop body and software, which gives him enhanced strength along with instant computing information in his brain. Alex at first rejects his current condition, but is convinced by Norton to be strong for his wife and son. Rick Mattox (Jackie Earle Haley), OmniCorp's military tactician, is skeptical of Alex's abilities and points out he will never be as efficient as a drone. In order to make Alex perform better, Norton tampers with Alex's brain, making him believe that his tactical decisions are his own when he is actually executing programs.

While preparing for a public press conference to unveil RoboCop, Alex is emotionally overwhelmed and has a seizure while downloading the police database information into his brain. Pressed for time, Norton has Alex's brain chemistry altered, lowering his dopamine levels until he no longer displays any emotions. Under control, Alex attends the press conference, where he ignores his waiting wife and son, and efficiently apprehends a criminal in the crowd. RoboCop is a public relations success, and afterward Alex is successful in drastically reducing the crime rate in Detroit. Public opinion on the Dreyfuss Act begins to turn.

Clara, who has been prevented by OmniCorp from seeing Alex, manages to confront her husband as he is leaving the station, telling him about his son David's nightmares. Alex leaves, but then overrides his programming and detours from his current case to go to his house. He reviews the CCTV footage of his accident and realizes that David saw his body and was traumatized by it. Alex then pursues Vallon for revenge, tracking him down to a warehouse where Alex then kills everyone. Alex then returns to the station to apprehend the two cops who sold him out; they tell him that the Chief of Police is in on it. Alex kills the two cops, and is about to arrest the Chief of Police when Mattox, who has been given full access to the RoboCop program, remotely shuts him down.

Sellars decides to spin this turn of events to his advantage, via television presenter Pat Novak (Samuel L. Jackson), who thanks RoboCop for revealing the fallibility of the police, and points out that drones are incorruptible. A repeal of the Dreyfuss Act goes underway, with votes overwhelmingly in support of the repeal. Sellars tells Norton that RoboCop is no longer relevant, and sends Mattox to destroy him. Norton reaches Alex in the lab first and has him brought back to consciousness, telling him everything. Alex, feeling betrayed, goes after Sellars.

Sellars has the OmniCorp building shut down and armed with drones. Alex manages to gain entry with the help of his former partner, Jack Lewis (Michael K. Williams) and other police officers. Alex reaches the roof, where Sellars is waiting for a helicopter and has Clara and David as hostages. Alex's programming prevents him from arresting Sellars, but he manages to overcome it just long enough to shoot Sellars, killing him.

In the closing scenes, OmniCorp's parent company, OCP, decides to review the drone and RoboCop program. The President vetoes the repeal of the Dreyfuss Act based on the testimony of Norton, who confesses everything they'd done in the RoboCop program. Alex's body is rebuilt in Norton's laboratory, and then he waits for Clara and David, who are coming to visit him.

Cast

Production

Development

Sony Pictures (Screen Gems division) first announced that it was working on a new RoboCop film in late 2005; no further details were given. In November 2006, Bloody Disgusting reported that the RoboCop remake had been halted.[8]

In March 2008, RoboCop was mentioned in an MGM press release[9] regarding franchises it would be developing in the future. An MGM poster displayed at the Licensing International Expo of June 2008 read, "RoboCop coming 2010."[10] The studio met with Darren Aronofsky to discuss the possibility of him directing the film.[11] At the San Diego Comic-Con International 2008, Aronofsky was confirmed to direct the "2010 RoboCop" film, with David Self writing the script.[12] The release date was postponed to 2011.[13]

At the San Diego Comic-Con in July 2009, MGM representatives stated only that the film would be pushed back to Summer 2010 or a later date, due to scheduling conflicts with the director (most likely Aronofsky). MGM representatives would neither confirm nor deny if Aronofsky was still connected with the project.[14]

On January 5, 2010, it was reported that the RoboCop 2011 remake was indeed on hold and Darren Aronofsky was still attached to direct. When MGM executives, particularly Mary Parent the chairperson of MGM, saw the immense success of the James Cameron film Avatar, it was clear to the higher-ups that they wanted a 3D film for the new RoboCop. Due to the financial state of MGM at the time, without an owner, and creative disagreements between the studio and Aronofsky, the film remained on hold.[15]

On March 2, 2011, it was announced that Brazilian director José Padilha was attached to direct, instead of Aronofsky, mainly because of his commercial success with Elite Squad and Elite Squad: The Enemy Within.[16]

On March 11, 2011, Sean O'Neal of The A.V. Club stated that up-and-coming screenwriter Joshua Zetumer would create the script. Although Zetumer had been involved with a number of canceled or otherwise stagnant projects, he had also worked on the screenplay for the blockbuster Quantum of Solace.[17]

Comparing the new work to the 1987 film, Padilha said in 2011, "the environment nowadays is different than the environment in the 80's and the way to explore the concept is different."[18]

It was announced in October 2013 that the film will get an IMAX release on February 5, 2014.[19]

Pre-production

On April 12, 2011, rumors were that MGM was looking at A-list stars such as Tom Cruise, Johnny Depp, and Keanu Reeves to star in the lead role of Alex Murphy/RoboCop in the upcoming remake.[20]

On June 16, 2011, pictures of promotional art were released and a sales sheet from the Licensing International Expo 2011 in Las Vegas, NV promoting a future release of Robocop which would re-invent the franchise. The promotional material had sparse details of the film but clearly stated that MGM is targeting a 2013 release and José Padilha of Elite Squad and Bus 174 fame is confirmed as director of the film.

Michael Fassbender,[21] Matthias Schoenaerts,[22] and Russell Crowe[23] were considered to play the title role. On March 3, 2012, it was confirmed that actor Joel Kinnaman will be playing the lead role,[24] and on March 9, 2012, the film was given a release date of August 9, 2013.[25]

Hugh Laurie was set to play the role of the CEO of OmniCorp on June 13, 2012.[26] Those plans fell through and he backed away.[27] Clive Owen was in the running to replace him until Michael Keaton was cast in the role in August 2012.[28]

Edward Norton, Sean Penn, Gael García Bernal and Rebecca Hall were initially considered for the roles of Dr. Dennett Norton, Novak, Jack Lewis and Clara Murphy, respectively.[29] The roles ended up being cast with Gary Oldman,[30] Samuel L. Jackson,[31] Michael K. Williams,[32] and Abbie Cornish.[33]

Jackie Earle Haley officially signed on in July 2012 to play a "military man named Maddox responsible for training Kinnaman's RoboCop".[34] Jay Baruchel was confirmed to have signed onto the film on July 25, 2012 as Pope, a marketing exec for the megacompany OmniCorp.[35]

Douglas Urbanski, cast as Mayor Durant, is a non-actor who also is the decades-long manager and producing partner of Gary Oldman.

Rob Bottin's original costume for the title character was reimagined. Initial reactions were unfavorable [36][37][38][39] and some compared it with Christian Bale's Batman suit in Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight films.[36][40][41][42] News reports discussed the new costume's "bionic behind",[43] a "rather derivative" design which "looks more like kevlar body armor than Detroit steel".[44] The Guardian described the new RoboCop as "a crime-fighting machine who is not so much cyborg as skinny bloke in matte-black body armour." and said "The new Robosuit has a scaly, insectoid look to it, with a blacked-out visor rather than the original's steel extended helmet."[45]

Production began in September 2012.[46]

Brazilian director Fernando Meirelles revealed that Padilha called to him during production to admit he was having "the worst experience of his life" and "for every ten ideas he has, nine are cut". Padilha, according to Meirelles, says, "It is hell here. The film will be good, but I have never suffered so much and I do not want to do it again".[47] However, Padilha talked enthusiastically about the project at the 2013 San Diego Comic-Con International and in his introduction to the second trailer.

Filming

Filming has taken place in Toronto[48] and other parts of Ontario.[49] Shooting locations within the city included the University of Toronto where a scene was being filmed that appeared to be RoboCop being unveiled to the city of Detroit.[50] Filming in Hamilton began on Monday, September 24, 2012 for five nights. Streets were closed for each of those days from 6pm to 7am. A spokesperson for MGM confirmed that the film has been partially shot in Detroit.[51]

Music

Pedro Bromfman, who also scored José Padilha's Elite Squad films, has scored the film.[52] The TV Spots have confirmed the soundtrack will be available through Sony Classical.

Marketing

An Omnicorp website was set up in early 2012. A film specific Robocop site was launched nearer the release date.

A rough trailer and some film footage featuring Samuel L. Jackson's and Michael Keaton's characters was shown at the 2013 San Diego Comic-Con International. According to director José Padilha, the first theatrical trailer was supposed to debut with Elysium, but it was instead released online on September 5, 2013 and was attached to showings of Riddick. The trailer is now available on Apple's trailers website.[53] Two further trailers have also been released, one of which was uploaded to Yahoo! movies with an introduction from Padhila, in which he said, "I'm thrilled to have had the chance to direct this movie... I'm a fan of the original movie because it was ahead of its time both aesthetically and thematically. Back in '87, it was talking already about automated violence - both in war and law enforcement. And now, we actually have that happening in our lives and it's going to be more and more present. So we already have the drones. Now we're going to have automated robots doing law enforcement and replacing soldiers in the battlefield. So we had a chance to make this movie and talk about this."

Two main film posters were released in late 2013, with one showing CTBA complex in Madrid.

TV Spots were uploaded to Sony's YouTube channel in January 2014. These also confirmed the soundtrack will be available through Sony Classical.

A video game for Android and smart phones will be released. Jada Toys are releasing a range of action figures, including a radio control Robocop on his Police Cruiser and roleplay merchandise including the new Robocop helmet and chestplate. Four one-shot comic tie-ins have also been announced. Two detailed figures from the film are due for release in April 2014 from Play Arts Kai.

Reception

Early reviews for the film were mixed. Film review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes reports that 48% of critics gave the film a positive review based on twenty-one reviews, with an average score of 5.2/10.[54] On Metacritic, which assigns a normalised rating out of 100 based on reviews from critics, the film has a score of 62 (citing "generally favorable reviews") based on seven reviews.[55]

References

  1. ^ "ROBOCOP (12A)". StudioCanal. British Board of Film Classification. Retrieved February 4, 2014.
  2. ^ March 2013 "ROBOCOP Reboot Enlists Composer Pedro Bromfman". {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  3. ^ December 2012 "'RoboCop' Reboot to be Distributed by Sony". {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  4. ^ "ROBOCOP Remake Set Image Reveals New Armor". Collider. Retrieved 2012-09-17.
  5. ^ "RoboCop: set video with Gary Oldman". Vancity Filming. Retrieved 2013-05-03.
  6. ^ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1234721/releaseinfo. IMDb Release Date page
  7. ^ Han, Angie. "Remake Bits: 'Robocop', 'Carrie', 'Evil Dead', 'The Flamingo Kid', 'Jar City', 'A Bittersweet Life'". /Film.
  8. ^ "FREEZE! 'RoboCop' Remake Puts Hands in the Air". Bloody Disgusting. 2006-11-28. Retrieved 2008-06-18.
  9. ^ "Movies – News – MGM lines up 'Robocop', 'Red Dawn' remakes – Digital Spy". Digital Spy. 2008-05-19. Retrieved 2009-04-17.
  10. ^ "G.I. Joe and RoboCop Displays at the Expo". Superhero Hype!. 2008-06-10. Retrieved 2008-06-18.
  11. ^ Jay A. Fernandez (2008-07-09). "MGM likes 'Dawn' at the 'Cabin'". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 2008-07-10. Retrieved 2008-07-09.
  12. ^ "Comic Con Rumour Control: Aronosky on RoboCop..." Film Junk. 2008-07-25. Retrieved 2009-07-24.
  13. ^ "Aronofsky's Robocop Delayed Until 2011". Film Junk. 2009-05-12. Retrieved 2009-07-08.
  14. ^ "MGM Looking For A New RoboCop Director? Searchlight Wants Aronofsky's Black Swan". Slash Film. 2009-07-15. Retrieved 2009-07-24.
  15. ^ Morris, Clint (2010-01-05). "Robocop Frozen". Moviehole. Retrieved 2010-03-26.
  16. ^ "Jose Padilha in Talks to Direct Robocop Remake". 2011-03-02.
  17. ^ O'Neal, Sean (March 11, 2011). "RoboCop remake has a writer, is still actually happening". The A.V. Club. The Onion.
  18. ^ Nordling (Sep 27, 2011). "Ain't It Cool News: The best in movie, TV, DVD, and comic book news". Aintitcool.com. Retrieved 2012-09-17.
  19. ^ Max Nicholson (Oct 24, 2013). "New Release Date for Robocop, Other Sony Pics". IGN. Retrieved 2013-10-25.
  20. ^ "'RoboCop' Reboot Eyeing Cruise, Depp, and Reeves". Screen Rant. 2011-04-12. Retrieved 2012-02-10.
  21. ^ "Michael Fassbender Wanted For 'RoboCop' Remake". Screenrant.com. 2011-09-23. Retrieved 2012-09-17.
  22. ^ "Matthias Schoenaerts bedankt voor hoofdrol in 'Robocop' – Het Nieuwsblad" (in Dutch). Nieuwsblad.be. Retrieved 2012-09-17.
  23. ^ "Russell Crowe Being Considered For 'RoboCop' Reboot [Updated]". Screenrant.com. 2012-02-02. Retrieved 2012-09-17.
  24. ^ Silas Lesnick (2011-06-16) "LX11: RoboCop Promo Art and Sales Sheet". retrieved 2011-06-20. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  25. ^ Lesnick, Silas (March 9, 2012). "RoboCop Gets a Release Date". Superhero Hype.
  26. ^ Doty, Meriah (June 13, 2012). "Hugh Laurie signs on for juicy 'Robocop' role". Yahoo Movies.
  27. ^ "ROBOCOP Remake Won't Star Hugh Laurie". Collider. 2012-08-24. Retrieved 2012-09-17.
  28. ^ Foreman, Liza (2012-08-29). "Michael Keaton cast as "RoboCop" CEO in remake – Yahoo! Movies". Movies.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2012-09-17.
  29. ^ "Edward Norton, Sean Penn & More Wanted For 'RoboCop' Reboot". Screenrant.com. 2012-04-13. Retrieved 2012-09-17.
  30. ^ "Gary Oldman Joins 'Robocop' Remake". Screenrant.com. 2012-05-24. Retrieved 2012-09-17.
  31. ^ "Samuel L. Jackson Joining 'Robocop' Remake". Screenrant.com. 2012-06-07. Retrieved 2012-09-17.
  32. ^ "'Boardwalk Empire's' Michael Kenneth Williams Boards 'RoboCop'". Screenrant.com. 2012-08-07. Retrieved 2012-09-17.
  33. ^ Wales, George. "Abbie Cornish set for RoboCop remake". TotalFilm.com. Retrieved 2012-09-17.
  34. ^ "Jackie Earle Haley Will Train Joel Kinnaman's RoboCop, Jay Baruchel Circling". CinemaBlend.com. 2012-07-20. Retrieved 2012-09-17.
  35. ^ "Jay Baruchel Confirmed For Robocop Remake". We Got This Covered. 2012-07-25. Retrieved 2012-09-17.
  36. ^ a b Granados, Matt (September 18, 2012). "Pics – Joel Kinnaman Tries On The 'RoboCop' Suit". Latino Review. Retrieved January 24, 2013.
  37. ^ Lynch, Alex (September 15, 2012). "First Look At Joel Kinnaman In Full Costume On The Set Of ROBOCOP". www.comicbookmovie.com. Retrieved January 24, 2013.
  38. ^ Rosen, Christopher (September 17, 2012). "'Robocop' Suit: First Look At Remake Divides Fans (PHOTO)". The Huffington Post. Retrieved January 24, 2013. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  39. ^ Giroux, Jack (September 16, 2012). "Should the New 'Robocop' Look the Same as the Old 'Robocop'?". Film School Rejects. Retrieved January 24, 2013.
  40. ^ Abramovitch, Seth (September 15, 2012). "'RoboCop' Reboot: First Look at Suit Hits the Web: Photos from the first day of shooting show an all-black suit that's more exo-skeleton than cyborg". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved January 24, 2013. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  41. ^ Aidoo, Jeffrey (8 October 2012). "New RoboCop set photos featuring Joel Kinnaman and Michael Keaton". Flickeringmyth.com. Retrieved January 24, 2013.
  42. ^ Davis, Lauren (September 15, 2012). "First photos of RoboCop's suit reveal Batman-like body armor". io9. Retrieved January 24, 2013.
  43. ^ Larkin, Mike (October 18, 2012). "RoboCop star Joel Kinnaman reveals his bionic behind... and he even has an assistant on hand to keep it shiny". London: Mail Online. Retrieved January 24, 2013. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  44. ^ "First Look: Joel Kinnaman On Set As RoboCop!". Geeks of Doom. September 15, 2012. Retrieved January 24, 2013.
  45. ^ Child, Ben (17 September 2012). "Robocop fans' fury over first pictures of Joel Kinnaman's 'unrobotic' suit". The Guardian. London. Retrieved January 24, 2013.
  46. ^ Wilson, Stacey (June 21, 2012). "Emmys 2012: Joel Kinnaman on Going From 'The Killing' Detective to 'RoboCop'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved June 24, 2012.
  47. ^ "José Padilha diz que filmar 'Robocop' está sendo pior experiência de sua vida" (in Portuguese). Folha de S. Paulo. August 27, 2012. Retrieved September 18, 2013.
  48. ^ "First Look at the New RoboCop!". ComingSoon.net. Retrieved 2012-09-17.
  49. ^ "IMDB's filming locations for Robocop (2014)".
  50. ^ "Photos of the new RoboCop being filmed in Toronto".
  51. ^ "'RoboCop' remake filming partially in Detroit, MGM confirms".
  52. ^ "Pedro Bromfman to Score 'RoboCop' Remake".
  53. ^ "RoboCop – Movie Trailers – iTunes". Apple Inc. Retrieved 2013-09-11.
  54. ^ "RoboCop (2014)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved February 6, 2014.
  55. ^ "RoboCop". Metacritic. Retrieved February 6, 2014.
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