Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures (MGM) has signed Darren Aronofsky to direct and David Self to write a new installment for its "RoboCop" franchise. Aronofsky, the director of The Fountain, and Self, the writer of Road to Perdition, make a formidable creative team, fast tracking the RoboCop motion picture and spotlighting it as one of the most anticipated new films for 2010.

The announcement was made today by Mary Parent, Chairman, Worldwide Motion Picture Group, MGM.

In making the announcement Parent said: "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."

Phoenix Pictures' Mike Medavoy, Arnold Messer, Brad Fischer and David Thwaites will produce "RoboCop." Cale Boyter, Executive Vice President Production at MGM will oversee the project for the studio.

Phoenix Pictures' Chairman and CEO Mike Medavoy said: "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 with our partners at MGM and through the eyes of Darren Aronofsky and David Self."

Phoenix co-presidents Brad Fischer and David Thwaites added: "With a filmmaker of Darren Aronofsky's vision and imagination and a writer of David Self's caliber, we are poised to bring to the screen an entertaining and provocative film, which will now be under the creative guidance of two of the best storytellers working in our industry today."

The original RoboCop, which premiered in 1987, was "part man, part machine and all cop." The film's storyline focused on the future of law enforcement as a terminally wounded cop returns to the police force as a powerful cyborg haunted by submerged memories. The original film was nominated for two Academy Awards -- Best Film Editing and Best Sound.

Before anyone complains that "this isn't horror", the first ROBOCOP was originally given an X-rating by the MPAA for scenes of “excessive violence.” It's pretty damn bloody, and it's pretty damn disgusting... good enough for me. Today we received word that MGM and Phoenix Pictures are close to pegging Darren Aronofsky to direct the latest "remake", which we also discovered is actually a sequel! Here's the logline: Present day Los Angeles, 20 years after the termination of the RoboCop program, the city decides to reinstate the program. If this all happens, I'd love to introduce Aronofsky to THE DARK KNIGHT, where he can see how to do it right...

The original was as close as we were going to get to a "superhero" movie in the 80s...(barring Supes).

No offense, but considering "Superman: The Movie" came out in 1977 ...

No offense, but considering "Superman: The Movie" came out in 1977 and Tim Burton's "Batman" came out in 1989, I have no idea what you're talking about.

MGM In Talks With Jose Padilha To Direct ‘Robocop’ Reboot

MGM is negotiating with Brazilian director Jose Padilha to direct Robocop, the remake of the futuristic 1987 film originally helmed by Paul Verhoeven. The original was about a cop who was near death and was drafted to become a powerful cyborg cop, until suppressed memories of his past life come back to haunt him. Peter Weller played the character in the original him in the original and the 1990 sequel.

Reconstituted under Gary Barber and Roger Birnbaum, MGM has targeted Robocop as its first major franchise play, and they worked hard to find a filmmaker who could play on a global field. They were impressed by Padilha’s track record with taut crime dramas Elite Squad and a sequel that came out in 2010. Those films were Portuguese language and didn’t play huge in the U.S. But Elite Squad 2: The Enemy Within grossed over $60 million in Brazil alone last year, surpassing Avatar, Shrek Forever and Alice in Wonderland in Padilha’s home country. The original won a Golden Bear at the 2007 Berlinale. Once Padilha is aboard, they will set a writer who’ll work under the director’s supervision.

The Robocop remake once had Black Swan helmer Darren Aronofsky developing it to direct before MGM halted progress on all of its pictures while trying to fix its finances. Aronofsky moved over to direct Fox’s Wolverine sequel with Hugh Jackman. MGM emerged from Chapter 11 and converted its crushing debt of $4.25 billion into equity. The studio is moving forward with James Bond–Deadline broke the story that it’s headed for distribution by Sony, with Javier Bardem in talks to play the Bond villain opposite Daniel Craig for director Sam Mendes.

Padilha also directed the documentary Bus 174, about what happened on June 12, 2000 when a bus was taken hostage by armed young men. It played out all day on the Brazilian TV networks and ended horribly. Padilha is repped by CAA.

'Bourne' scriptwriter recruited for 'Robocop' remake

Josh Zeutmer, a scriptwriter who worked on the Bourne film franchise, has been signed up for the new Robocop film remake. The reboot of the 1980s sci-fi series, about a cop brought back from death to fight on as a cyborg, is being helmed by MGM.

Last week the studio recruited Brazilian director Jose Padilha for the project, and they have now hired Zeutmer, reports Deadline.com. He has worked on 2010's The Infiltrator as well as the Bourne franchise.

There have yet to be any casting details revealed regarding the lead role, made famous first by Peter Weller.

'X-Men: First Class' star Michael Fassbender wanted for 'RoboCop' remake

José Padilha has announced he wants Michael Fassbender to star in his forthcoming RoboCop remake.

The Brazilian director, currently promoting Elite Squad 2: The Enemy Within, has been linked the proposed reboot for some time, and has now revealed he'd like the X-Men: First Class actor to pull on the robotic law-enforcer's iconic costume.

"I’ll film RoboCop," Padilha told Dutch entertainment site Film 1. "I'm indeed writing the script, the writer is here with me in Rio, we've spent over the last 15 days working together, refining the script.

"I can't talk yet, it’s too early to speak, but there are some actors I like. I really like the Fassbender, I'd like to talk to him. There's a possibility… But that's the idea, to film around January, February, March."

It's unknown what Fassbender thinks of starring in the remake, although he has a busy schedule. He'll soon star in Brendan Gleeson's directorial debut At Swim-Two-Birds.

There is also talk of a sequel to X-Men: First Class too, with Fassbender expected to reprise his role of arch-villain Magneto alongside James McEvoy's Professor Xavier.

The original RoboCop film, directed by Paul Verhoeven, was released in 1987 and starred Peter Weller as police officer Alex Murphy/RoboCop. Weller returned for a sequel, with Robert John Burke taking over in a third film. Richard Eden and Page Fletcher portrayed RoboCop on television.

I wouldn't mind another Robocop movie -- a well done movie -- but does it have to be a remake?

'RoboCop' director teases remake

The director of the new RoboCop has revealed that his film will fill a gap left in the original.

Jose Padilha has been selected to reboot Paul Verhoeven's 1987 sci-fi classic. And now he has revealed what he has in store for the iconic franchise.

He told Coming Soon: "RoboCop the first movie was fantastic. But even if there was no movie, the concept of RoboCop is brilliant, first because it lends itself to a lot of social criticism, but also because it poses a question, 'When do you lose your humanity?'"


Expanding on his more philosophical take, Padilha explained: "How do you make RoboCop? How do you slowly bring a guy to be a robot? How do you actually take humanity out of someone and how do you programme a brain, so to speak, and how does that affect an individual?"

Padilha has reportedly been after Michael Fassbender to take on the lead role.