Grab your boxing gloves and mouth guard because Shawn Levy is ready to get back in the ring for a Real Steel series at Disney+. The mouse-eared streaming service has announced that it’s developing a series based on the 2011 movie that starred Hugh Jackman, Evangeline Lilly, and Anthony Mackie. Levy, who directed the original film, is in charge of the new project.
Set in the near future when robot boxing is a top sport, Real Steel revolves around a struggling ex-boxer who thinks he’s found a champion in a discarded robot. Standing in the man’s corner is his son, who believes that together, the trio can overcome overwhelming odds to become the people’s champion.
The series hails from Disney Branded Television, which will touch gloves with 20th Television in association with 21 Laps for the production side of things. Disney is currently on the hunt for a writer for the series, which includes Levy, Robert Zemeckis, Jack Rapke, Jacqueline Levine, Susan Montford, and Don Murphy as executive producers.
Last year, Levy spoke with our man Jimmy O about the possibility of a sequel to the family-friendly robot action movie. Levy said the following:
“You know, it’s amazing and so awesome to Hugh and me. We literally spoke about this yesterday. We’re coming up on ten years on Real Steel, and still not a week goes by where I get asked at least once – and usually more than once – in real life, or an interview, or on social media, “sequel? sequel?” I’ve gotten so used to answering that question that now I find myself with Hugh saying, “Well, should we just do it?” We love that movie as much as our fans love that movie. So we’ll see about that.”
Real Steel punched its way toward a near $300 million worldwide box office at the time of its release. Since then, the film has become something of a cult family favorite. Visual effects have advanced by leaps and bounds since the original film’s release, which has me thinking that a Real Steel series could be a visual feast for the eyes.
What do you think of this news? Are you down to get back in the squared circle for a Real Steel series? Let us know in the comments section below.