Memo To The Executives: Robocop

Da da da da da da dadada.........This is 'Think McFly Think', give us five minutes and we'll give you the world (God, I love that opening). 

This week on ‘memo to the executives’ I’ve decided to take a crack at a currently dormant franchise that has been promised a rebirth in the form of Darren Aronofsky’s remake but has recently left us all wondering if we will ever see Robocop on the big screen again.

I want to preface this article by saying that I would be perfectly happy with that.  Robocop is pretty much a perfect film, completely untainted by all of the crap that came afterwards bearing its name and doesn’t need to be remade, rebooted, re-imagined, requeled, re-anything.  But if we are getting one then there are areas of potential to change the character and his origin to make a different picture.  There is no point in making a shot for shot remake of the original film or recycling all of the characters and having them function in exactly the same way.

For a start, I think the character of Robocop needs a slight design overhaul.  Robocop was an action movie but the character wasn’t really suited for the high octane thrills we demand these days.  He was an extremely slow, almost tank like character.  It works perfectly in that first film, particularly in the scene where Robocop blasts through Kurtwood Smith’s drug factory, constantly moving forward towards his target, hundreds of bullets bouncing off his body, taking each criminal down with a slow put perfectly placed shot, an unstoppable force.  The filmmakers also created that wonderful sound effect of Robo’s thunderous footsteps, almost akin to a T-Rex, heard from the criminals perspective as he entered a crime scene; a precursor to let them know that they are now well and truly fucked.

It would be a buzz for nostalgic purposes to see that again but if the new Robocop is truly going to be action packed, the character needs to be redesigned to be more agile and less bulky.  Even as a child, I never bought the ridiculous stuff they had Robo doing in the second and third films like riding a motorbike and flying with a jetpack.  In a new film, he needs to have the ability to actually run after bad guys on foot, dodge incoming fire and react quickly to hostile situations.  A radical redesign is not needed.  After all, if he doesn’t have the helmet he’s not Robocop.  You can even keep the form and colour scheme of the robo-suit; just lose the bulky pieces around the chest and scale down the size of the costume so that it appears more like a second skin than armour.  I think the more Robo blends in with the other police officers in terms of size and similarity to the body armour and helmets they wear, the more effective it will be, the more it will sell the idea to them and to the audience that this is meant to be the next evolution of law enforcement, their eventual replacement.

In the original film, the idea of how the police force really felt about being owned by a corporation and of a robot cop being among them was just one of a zillion concepts it was playing with.  In this new film, though putting on a public face of simply augmenting it with the technology and facilities they have to offer, OCP (Omni Consumer Products), the corporation contracted to run the Old Detroit police department, secretly believes that the Robocop project is simply the first step of an eventual phasing out of traditional human officers being replaced by cyborgs (a theme that played in small part in the first and second films).  But the police officers of Old Detroit aren’t stupid.  They know exactly what is going on and when Robocop joins their ranks, it is akin to having a corporate suit serving (and spying) with them every day.  It would be nice to give the regular police force a little more depth this time around.  Imagine if you policed the worst, most crime ridden city in America, risked your life every day, got horrible pay, no gratitude, no social life, and now a corporation actually buys and owns you and threatens to get rid you simply because no matter how good you are at your job, a machine can do it better.

In the original film Alex Murphy, the cop who will become Robo, had only just transferred to Old Detroit and was murdered his very first day on duty.  This was a brilliant way of showing just how out of control the crime wave in the city was but I would love to see a Murphy in the new film who is a veteran super cop of Old Detroit before he becomes a machine; someone who has a friendship with many of the officers on the force and watch the isolation and ostracization that occurs once he becomes Robocop.  As far as they are concerned, he is a toy designed by the company that wants to eliminate all human cops from the streets, probably filled with recording devices constantly monitoring their conversations and reporting back to his corporate superiors.

I’d like to see the idea of ‘Directive 4’, the secret sub-routine that is programmed into Robo to stop him from arresting any OCP executive, implemented even earlier into the story.  After weeks of successful arrests, of crime being beaten back and the regular police starting to trust Robocop, he would end up confronting some homicidal multiple murderer who turns about to be one of those executives (a cheeky nod to Patrick Bateman).  Just as Robo is about to make the arrest, Directive 4 kicks in paralysing his systems.  The killer makes a break for it and escapes the cops, even fatally wounding one in the process.  This is the beginning of Robo (who has been wrestling between his programmed obligations to OCP and his human instincts)’s realisation that this may only be the start of the corporation’s criminal activities.

One thing I always wondered about in the original film was whether Robocop’s creator Bob Morton had any test subjects prior to Murphy.  How did he know the integration of human tissue and robotics was going to work?  It would be nice to see that developed in this film with Robocop following a bloodsoaked trail which starts at the scene of Alex Murphy’s murder and leads all the way to his creator.  Rather than having Bob Morton be the creator in a new film, I’d actually rather have a Dick Jones type character fill the role; a ruthless villain who has created the robot cop through diabolical means. 

At the start of the film, the city would be plagued by a series of killings by a particular gang who leave no visible trace of the victims bodies.  Murphy becomes one of those unfortunate victims when he tracks them down to their hideout and doesn’t come out.  We wouldn’t actually see Murphy’s murder or the perps who did it.  We would see Murphy enter the crime scene, fade to black and then, just like in the original. He would awake as Robocop thus creating a real sense of mystery as to the background of his creation and the identity of those who killed him.  In the third act, Robocop remembers the traces of his fragmented human memory, in particular the circumstances of his death, and tracks down his killers once more.  Robo discovers that the reason the bodies of their victims were never recovered is that they were being sold to the Dick Jones character and harvested, sometimes whole, sometimes as just body parts, as experiments to create the Robocop prototypes.

With the rest of the Old Detroit police force in tow, Robocop penetrates the secret OCP facility where he was constructed and finds the horrifying left-overs of the victims before him, like some kind of evolutionary chain in cybernetic development culminating with him.  It is a legacy he does not want to be part of and tries to bring his creator to justice who, in turn, unleashes the completed but totally psychotic Robo prototypes to kill Murphy.  You may remember that very funny and twisted scene in Robocop 2 where the old man is shown a video of two prototype successors to their original pride and joy, both of which go crazy and commit suicide.  I think there would be so much potential for the filmmakers to go nuts and create all manner of freakish looking cyborgs for Robocop to fight in the finale.  It would sure trump anything in Terminator: Salvation that’s for sure.

Once the smoke clears from the final battle, Robocop’s creator is dead, the prototypes are destroyed but the lab and the atrocities created there remain.  Unable to dig themselves out of the hole that will be created is the public knows, the top brass at OCP claim ignorance of the actual development of Robocop but strike a bargain with the Old Detroit Police assuring them that Alex Murphy will be the one and only robot cop on the streets and given his work to date, maybe that’s all it will take.

I know, I know, you all think I’m a retard but it could be fun.

But I like I said before chaps, Robocop doesn’t need to be remade and I’m not Darren Aronofsky.  I think I’ve just proven that over the course of this article.  I promise I’ll come up with something better next week.  Till then…..

“Your move creeps”

Could Leonard Nimoy Show Up in Mission: Impossible 4?

Right now, William Shatner is kicking himself. He’s offered a cameo in J.J. Abrams’ Star Trek reboot and he passes because it wasn’t big enough for his ego.

On the other hand, Leonard Nimoy agrees to the small but important role of “Spock Prime” (Sigh) and now he’s become BFFs with Team Abrams. There’s his recurring role on the Abrams, Alex Kurtzman & Roberto Orci-created series Fringe and of course the possibly that he shows up in another Trek down the line. Of course, that’s unlikely to happen (and illogical!)

Now Abrams himself reveals to Collider that he hasn't ruled out the possibility of having Nimoy reprise his other well-known television role – that of “The Amazing Paris” from Mission: Impossible. Remember, Abrams is producing a fourth installment of that franchise with Tom Cruise. Paramount is currently aiming for a Summer 2011 release.

But considering they already have the afore-mentioned Star Trek 2, Transformers 3, Thor and Captain America set for then, I wouldn’t hold my breath waiting for M:I 4 unless one of those four (most likely Captain America…or Trek 2 perhaps?) is delayed.

There’s also the probability that Abrams was just bullshitting. He made references to meeting with Shatner to which some are speculating that he could appear in Trek 2. Like that will actually happen! If he’s meeting with the Shat for anything, it’d be a separate project altogether.

Who Ya Gonna Call? Ivan Reitman!

Hey look! It’s Ghostbusters 3 news that doesn’t involve Dan Aykroyd talking about them “waiting for the script.” I know! I was surprised to read that too.

Bloody-Disgusting has received word that Ivan Reitman (who directed the much-beloved Ghostbusters and its not-so-well-regarded sequel) is now attached to return to the director’s chair for the third go-around. Although they’re also quick to point out he’s yet to fully decide that he wants the gig. I realize some might shrug their shoulders and go, “Uh, this is news?”

Well true-believer (That’s right, I’m referencing Stan Lee in a Ghostbusters article. Eat me!), he was said to have zero involvement with the property for the longest time. Most of us thought Harold Ramis would ultimately take the reign. Then again, he just directed Year One for Sony and that was one of the biggest flops of this past summer. Perhaps the studio wasn’t 100% confident in him handling what could possibly be a $200 million production.

The good folks over at the site have also confirmed the starting point of the film. The guys “reopen” their business after years out of service. Sure, everyone assumed it would be about that. But it’s nice to get some confirmation.

Now let’s just see if Ghostbusters 3 actually happens…

Book 'Em, Alex & Bob

I might not be crazy about this one. But it’s smart that Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman are getting more and more into a producer role on projects instead of relying solely on screenwriting. Not a strike in any way, shape or form, but it’s odd how writers can be “hot” for awhile getting offers left-and-right. Then suddenly, they’re unemployed and can’t take a meeting to save their life. Hello, Justin Marks.

As per Variety, the screenwriting/producing duo have set their phasers to reboot another 60s era television-series. No, not Mr. Ed (Sigh), but Hawaii 5-0 which they’re developing for CBS. K&O will oversee the pilot with Peter Lenkov (currently an executive producer on CSI: New York for the network) behind the keyboard. Now this doesn't mean CBS is immediately committing to series for the fall 2010/2011 lineup. They'll make the pilot. If they like what they see, we'll go from there.

I guess their work-load wasn’t full enough as it was. They’re "only" writing the insanely-anticipated Star Trek sequel and Cowboys & Aliens, executive-producing Fringe (which isn't doing that awesome in the ratings for its sophomore year) and countless others that I'm forgetting off the top of my head.

Ryan Reynolds to star in "Motorcade?"

This is a project I've been interested in since it was first announced as it reminds me of the high-octane, high-concept action/thrillers of the 90's, and at one point it was a candidate for Tom Cruise's next blockbuster vehicle befrore he chose "Wichita." Len Wiseman was also set to direct but according to Variety it is all change on this Dreamworks project.

DreamWorks is revving up again on "Motorcade," setting as director Jon Cassar, best known as co-executive producer and a prolific helmer of the Fox TV drama "24."

The studio hopes to get the picture into production by late summer or early fall 2010, and DreamWorks is eyeing Ryan Reynolds to play the disgraced Secret Service agent who happens to be in the wrong place at the right time when the U.S. president is kidnapped in New York.

Walter Parkes and Laurie MacDonald are producing.

Billy Ray continues to work on a script that was originated by Hans Bauer and Craig Mitchell.

The drama has been a priority for DreamWorks and was one of the projects Tom Cruise seriously considered when "Live Free or Die Hard" helmer Len Wiseman was attached.

Reynolds, who will next star in the Martin Campbell-directed "Green Lantern" for Warner Bros. next spring, has not signed on at this point.

Though Cassar will be making his first big studio feature after a TV directing career, he's a strong match for the material. He directed 59 episodes of "24" and the spinoff telepic "24: Redemption" but left the show to pursue a feature career.

I like Reynolds and I love 24 so I am fine with these changes,  I just question whether it will now go from a proposed summer tentpole action film to a Spring or Fall action film with a much smaller budget.

Gary Ross Lined Up to Write/Direct Venom

Variety reports that Sony has lined up Gary Ross (whose currently doing rewrites on Spider-Man 4) to write and possibly direct a Venom movie. Although details remain under wraps, it appears we shouldn't expect Topher Grace (who played Eddie Brock in Spider-Man 3) to return. It also remains a question as it whether this would be a spin-off of the Spider-Man films or a reboot (and hence the introduction of a new actor as Brock more in line with his comic-book counterpart).

There have been rumblings for awhile now that Sony was planning on a solo Venom film. But I figured it would turn out to be just talk. Shows what I know.

Of all the things to bitch about Spider-Man 3 (and boy were there), the decision to cast Topher Grace as Eddie Brock was one of the better decisions. I know that's an unpopular opinion, but I've never been a fan of the Venom character. But hearing Sam Raimi give interviews during the making of the third installment won me over.

His approach was, "What if Peter Parker became Spider-Man without the benefit of having been raised by an Uncle Ben and Aunt May to bestow on him morals and values?" You'd essentially get Brock and the move to cast an actor with a similar look to Tobey Maguire certainly sold that concept. The problem is that never came across onscreen. Spider-Man 3 was bogged down with other pointless bullshit to focus on that.

Of course, it should be quiet the concern for Sony. Is it a smart idea to invest in a new Venom film when audiences are still licking the wounds from the last Spider-Man installment? I don't know too many people who are looking forward to another cinematic go-around with Webhead.

Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus US Trailer Hits

I can't help but feel bad for Terry Gilliam. After all the hard work he's gone through to make The Inaginarium of Doctor Parnassus work after his leading man Heath Ledger died during production, it will be forever over-shadowed by both his passing and (to a lesser degree) The Dark Knight. Many will forever be under the train-of-thought that it was Heath Ledger's final film.

They would be wrong. The actual film wth that "title" is Parnassus.

With the film now set for a Christmas Day release this year, Yahoo! Movies has a look at the theatrical trailer for U.S. audiences.

Paramount & Platinum Dunes Strike Deal

People love Michael Bay. By people, I mean studio executives. I say that because he makes them money and lots of it. Don’t take that remark as an insult because it isn’t. His Transformers films (with a third installment on the way for July 2011) have a combined gross of $1.5 billion.

There’s also Platinum Dunes (run by Bay, Andrew Form and Brad Fuller) which has revived two horror franchises (Friday the 13^th and Texas Chainsaw Massacre) with their biggest one yet on the way next year (Nightmare on Elm Street).

Now comes word from Variety that Paramount has struck a “First Look” deal with the production company with the intention of moving past the horror genre. That doesn’t mean they’ll get completely out of that business. Those films are cheap to produce and turn out a nice profit. No point in giving that up.

Of course, the two first projects being set up under this new deal appear to be in said genre. The first is The Butcherhouse Chronicles being described as “The Breakfast Club in a haunted house” with Stephen Susco typing away on his laptop. The other is Property of the State concerning a parole officer endangering a former criminal trying to his life back on track.

Curious to see what we'll see from those non-horror related projects that they allude to.

More Inception Set Photos

I’m sure Christopher Nolan’s Inception will be another solid entry in his filmography. Yes, people. He does make good films that don’t involve Batman, shocking as that may sound. Warner Brother appears to be confident in it as they’ve given it a prime July 2010 release as well as the recent news of it being released in IMAX theatres.

Filming is still underway in Los Angeles and Just Jared got some snapshots of Leonardo DiCaprio and Ellen Page between takes on the set. I’ve been a fan of Page’s since her turn in 2006s Hard Candy and I’m sure she and Nolan will make this work.

But I can’t help but think she looks more like a little girl playing dress up than an adult. I’m not trying to sound like a dick saying that. But surely I’m not the only one thinking that. Curious to see a full-fledged trailer to this. The teaser was OK, but damn was it brief.

Nonetheless, I'm giving Nolan and his team the benefit of the doubt on this one. Like others, I think he's certainly earned being given that with his track record.

Adrien Brody Ain't Got Time to Bleed

You can definitely label this under “Unexpected casting.”

Adrien Brody has been pegged to headline the Robert Rodriquez-produced, Nimrod Antal-directed Predators according to Heat Vision. The Oscar winning Pianist actor will play “a man who ends up inheriting the mantle of leader and is known as a hunter of men.”  Of course, the first part of that description sounds similar to his Jack Driscoll character from King Kong and this is Brody’s most high-profile gig since the Peter Jackson remake.

Another actor joining the cast will be Topher Grace. That’s right, Venom himself will play “an accountant-type whose unassuming facade masks a dangerous serial killer.” I recall Latino Review describing that character during their video script review from a week or so back. In addition to Brody and Grace, others joining the production include Alice Braga (the “God sent me here” lady from I Am Legend), Walton Goggins (from The Shield) and the previously announced Danny Trejo.

I’m hoping the team of Antal and Rodriquez will make something worthwhile from the Predator series (which in the interest of full disclosure I’ve never been a fan of). But I can’t help but wonder if this will be another example of studios reviving an old franchise that people don’t care about anymore…and then they don’t show up. Terminator: Salvation, anyone?