Cast This: Robocop

Last Updated on July 30, 2021

Although José Padilha's ROBOCOP reboot in 2014 didn't exactly kick-start the franchise as intended, Officer Alex Murphy will nonetheless be returning to bring justice to the city of Detroit. MGM officially revealed last month that they're developing a new installment of the ROBOCOP franchise which will be helmed by Neill Blomkamp (DISTRICT 9). Titled ROBOCOP RETURNS, the film will actually be pulling a HALLOWEEN and picking up the story-line from the original Paul Verhoeven film while ignoring the sequels.   Following the release of the first film, ROBOCOP writers Ed Neumeier and Michael Miner penned a script for a follow-up which was never used, but Justin Rhodes (UNTITLED TERMINATOR REBOOT) will be using that screenplay as the basis of the new film. ROBOCOP RETURNS will find anarchy reigning and the fate of Detroit hanging in the balance as RoboCop makes his triumphant return to fight crime and corruption.

The first film was a favourite of Neill Blomkamp's and he jumped at the chance bring ROBOCOP back. "The original definitely had a massive effect on me as a kid," Blomkamp has said. "I loved it then and it remains a classic in the end of 20th Century sci-fi catalog, with real meaning under the surface. Hopefully that is something we can get closer to in making of a sequel. That is my goal here." Blomkamp continued:

What I connected to as a kid has evolved over time. At first, the consumerism, materialism and Reaganomics, that ’80s theme of America on steroids, came through most strongly. But As I’ve gotten older, the part that really resonated with me is identity, and the search for identity. As long as the human component is there, a good story can work in any time period, it’s not locked into a specific place in history. What’s so cool about RoboCop is that like good Westerns, sci-fi films and dramas, the human connection is really important to a story well told. What draws me now is someone searching for their lost identity, taken away at the hands of people who are benefiting from it, and seeing his memory jogged by events. That is most captivating. The other thing I am excited by is the chance to work again with Justin Rhodes. He has added elements that are pretty awesome, to a sequel that was set in the world of Verhoeven. This is a movie I would love to watch.

Alex Murphy was an officer in the Detroit Police Department before he was killed in the line of duty during a vicious shooting, but his body was claimed by Omni Consumer Products (OCP) when then transformed Murphy into Robocop. As ROBOCOP RETURNS will serve as a sequel to the original film, it would make sense for Peter Weller to reprise the role, which is something Neill Blomkamp happens to agree with, however, as there's no confirmation that Weller will actually be back, let's explore some other possibilities. It's always a challenge to bring emotion to your character when half of your face is covered, and combined with the robotic nature of the role, it becomes even more imperative to get an actor who truly understands the soul at the heart of the machine.

As for who could play Robocop if Peter Weller doesn't return, I'll get us started with a few suggestions. Michael Fassbender (ALIEN: COVENANT) has typically been a popular choice for…well, just about every role, and we'll continue that trend by throwing his name up for Robocop. Here's an additional tidbit: Before José Padilha cast Joel Kinnaman as the lead in his ROBOCOP remake, he was eyeing Fassbender for the role. Mark Strong (SHAZAM!) would be another powerful choice for Robocop, and I'll admit that I'd be willing to cough up the dough simply to hear Strong say, "dead or alive, you're coming with me." Joel Edgerton (IT COMES AT NIGHT) has taken on quite a number of interesting projects over the past few years, all while accumulating some much deserved critical acclaim, and I think he'd be a great fit for Robocop. Although I'll enourage you to come up with suggestions other than Peter Weller, please do mention whether or not you'd be a fan of him reprising the role!

Remember, you're free to suggest anyone in the comments, so let your inner casting director run wild!

Previously on Cast This, you were asked to fill the role of Kara Zor-El aka Supergirl, the biological cousin of Kal-El (Superman) who possesses many of the same superhuman abilities. Imogen Poots (GREEN ROOM) proved to be a popular choice as did Haley Lu Richardson (THE EDGE OF SEVENTEEN), but the majority of you were quite vocal about Melissa Benoist reprising the role on the big-screen. The likelihood of that happening is slim, but it does show just how beloved Benoist is in the role.