Feb 18, 2011 by B. Alan Orange

Robocop, Mr. Mom, and Poltergeist Move Forward at MGM

Robocop remake moves forward at MGM
Robocop remake moves forward at MGM
Following production on The Hobbit and James Bond 23, once-fledgling studio MGM has announced more post-bankruptcy plans with its upcoming co-financing deal this past Thursday. Most of MGM's future slate consists of remakes that were in the planning stages before the studio took a nosedive.

Paramount announced earlier this week that MGM would be co-financing Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters, which stars Jeremy Renner and Gemma Arterton in a 3D fantasy adventure set in a futuristic land ruled by The Brothers Grimm. With that project in play, MGM will now move forward on its long gestating remake/reboot of RoboCop, which formerly had The Wolverine director Darren Aronofsky attached to helm.

RoboCop was originally being fast-tracked for a summer 2010 release date. In December, Darren Aronofsky announced that he was still interested in bringing the half-man, half-machine back to the mean streets of Detroit. But now that he is set to follow-up The Wolverine with his biblical tale Noah, its isn't clear where the director stands. He may come back solely as a producer on the project.

Also returning from its production moratorium is the Poltergeist remake, which is based on the hugely popular 1982 collaboration between Steven Spielberg and Tobe Hooper which saw a suburban family tormented by the spirits of an ancient Indian burial ground residing under their swimming pool.

MGM is also planning to remake Mr. Mom, the 1983 Michael Keaton comedy that finds a husband and wife swapping duties in the workplace and at home. There are rumblings that the new Mr. Mom may focus on a black couple, with the man being forced back into the workplace after his wife loses her top level position as a CEO. But wouldn't that make it Mrs. Mom?

The other two remakes are of the lesser-known 1980 drama The Idolmaker, which originally followed the life of real-life promoter/producer Bob Marcucci, who discovered, among others, Frankie Avalon and Fabian. This new version will be updated to fit our current trends in music, but it is unclear if it will follow a real music producer or a fictional one. And finally, Hercules, a retelling of the goofy 1983 fantasy comedy that starred Lou Ferrigno as the mythological Greek hero who finds himself trapped in modern day New York.

At this time, MGM is considering a distribution deal with Sony Pictures, which would encompass James Bond 23. In early January, the studio paired up with Warner Bros. for distribution on The Hobbit.

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey comes to theaters December 14th, 2012 and stars Cate Blanchett, Saoirse Ronan, Orlando Bloom, Elijah Wood, Martin Freeman, David Tennant, Ian McKellen, Christopher Lee. The film is directed by Peter Jackson.

Skyfall comes to theaters November 9th, 2012 and stars Ralph Fiennes, Daniel Craig, Helen McCrory, Javier Bardem, Tonia Sotiropoulou, Bérénice Marlohe, Judi Dench, Naomie Harris. The film is directed by Sam Mendes.

Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters comes to theaters January 11th, 2013 and stars Jeremy Renner, Gemma Arterton, Famke Janssen. The film is directed by Tommy Wirkola.

RoboCop comes to theaters August 9th, 2013 and stars Joel Kinnaman, Gary Oldman. The film is directed by José Padilha.

Poltergeist is in development .

Mr. Mom is in development .

The Idolmaker comes to theaters in 2014 and stars Ryan Gosling. The film is directed by Ryan Gosling.

Hercules is in development .


Sources: Variety

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Comments (30)

  1. Vanboy

    Well, at least the story reversal is pitched correctly with the change, by the man having to get a job, when the woman loses HERS. I don't know how realistic him being married is though. MGM may be taking some dramatic liberties there.

    1 year agoby @vanboyFlag

  2. Vanboy

    Here we go! Time to make Mr MOM black too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    1 year agoby @vanboyFlag

  3. Billyboy

    @SpaceCowboy. That would be The Great Train Robbery made in 1903 and remade a year later so remakes are hardly anything new!

    1 year agoby @billyboyFlag

  4. Bane5000

    NOOOOO leave Robocop alone, that is to much of an 80's classic to be remade.

    It made sense back then to have something futuristic, dont know if it would now a days with technology already advanced as it is

    1 year agoby @bane5000Flag

  5. Emmytt

    really!

    1 year agoby @emmyttFlag

  6. SpaceCowboy

    I'm kinda curious, who knows what the first ever movie remake was?

    1 year agoby @SpaceCowboyFlag

  7. Alejandro Martínez

    just Robocop worth it.... so that new generations know him... whit a massive CGI and 3D

    1 year agoby @Alejandro-MartnezFlag

  8. RojoDiablo

    I just don't see them making a better version of Mr. Mom, Keaton was simply too good in the original but a better version of Robocop would be cool actually. I doubt a better version of Poltergeist can be made as well and should be left alone also.

    1 year agoby @rojodiabloFlag

  9. The Dark Knight

    come on RoboCop and Poltergeist help pull this studio out of bankruptcy

    1 year agoby @thedarkknight23Flag

  10. Drewski37

    you think after filing bankruptcy the studios would learn something remakes will probuly just bring in enough revenue to pay back what they put in to make the damn movie.....

    1 year agoby @drewski37Flag

  11. Rudy

    I agree, too many remakes.

    1 year agoby @rudyFlag

  12. slyjai

    Desperate times????!!! Enuff of this remake/reboot crap!!!!

    1 year agoby @slyjaiFlag

  13. Perickson81

    DAMNIT MGM!! LEAVE MR. MOM AND POLTERGEIST ALONE!! I am soo sick of remakes. I mean so what happens when hollywood runs out of movies to remake? Is that it? No more moviemaking? They are obviously outta fresh ideas.

    1 year agoby @perickson81Flag

  14. Photoman

    Bring the Robocop movie !!!!

    1 year agoby @photomanFlag

  15. Messenger

    Im ok with robocop but Poltergeist, this shouldn't be touched.

    1 year agoby @messengerFlag

  16. CUPID

    I'm ok with a robocop, if done the right way it could be awesome.

    1 year agoby @cupidFlag

  17. Cripple

    Hell no to a poltergeist remake. And they can only do Robocop if they have Aronofsky.

    1 year agoby @crippleFlag

  18. Brian

    Amen @Dragon1991.

    1 year agoby @brianFlag

  19. Dragon1991

    I hate this era of remakes were living in.

    1 year agoby @Dragon1991Flag

  20. Shnoopbop

    @dan1 Totally agree. I'm getting soooo sick of remakes and reboots. Just let the originals stand on their own and come up with a new idea for God's sake! Just because you can slap some CGI or 3D to make something new dosen't mean you HAVE to!

    Still, Robocop with Aronofsky or Proyas - pretty interesting...

    1 year agoby @shnoopbopFlag

  21. Dan

    I also don't like how loosely the words "remake" and "reboot" are thrown around these days. It's said as if it's what movies these days are all about, remaking and redoing the movies of yore. I don't like that attitude for a second. I swear, the studio execs sit in their meetings and ask one another, "So what are we redoing now?" instead of "what would a fresh, innovative idea be?".

    1 year agoby @dan1Flag

  22. Mutant

    I rather watch The Hobbit, Bond 23, Hansel & Gretal and RoboCop.

    I'm getting tired of hearing about remakes

    1 year agoby @zenderFlag

  23. MovieManiac

    Only Robocop. I do not care about any of the other remakes.

    1 year agoby @moviemaniac66Flag

  24. Bawnian©-Dexeus

    Robocop, HELL YEA!!!!! The rest, nope

    1 year agoby @bawnian-dexeusFlag

  25. bud2fresh

    What tha F !! Mr. Mom and Poltergeist re-makes? Yea thats what we need great idea A-Holes!!!! You sure do got the best of the best workin for ya MGM.With ideas like that i'm sure you will bounce right out of bankruptcy. lol

    1 year agoby @bud2freshFlag

  26. Dan

    The Hobbit, James Bond 23, and Hansel & Gretal: Witch Hunters? Thumbs up. Hercules, Poltergeist, RoboCop, Mr. Mom? Thumbs down.

    1 year agoby @dan1Flag

  27. moviegeek

    I'm not interested in any of their remakes.

    1 year agoby @moviegeekFlag

  28. Dan

    Also, why is absolutely everything being remade or rebooted these days? Hollywood is freakin' obsessed with recycling past ideas. Yes, I know the tired argument of "if it was made better and with today's technology it'd be sweet", but honestly, I'm getting sick of hearing EVERYTHING getting this treatment.

    Just wish there were more Inceptions in the world, is all...

    1 year agoby @dan1Flag

  29. Buriblazing

    The robocop remake intrigues me that would be awesome if done right.

    1 year agoby @buriblazingFlag

  30. Dan

    If Aronofsky isn't on board with the RoboCop reboot, then I dunno... Maybe get Alex Proyas at that point?

    As for a remake of Poltergeist..... eh......

    1 year agoby @dan1Flag

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