Scathing RoboCop Screenplay Review Reveals New Plot Details

The RoboCop remake receives a harsh script review
The RoboCop remake receives a harsh script review
MGM Studios' remake of RoboCop will likely go into production soon, since an August 9, 2013 release date has already been handed out. While the cast is starting to come together, lead by Joel Kinnaman as Alex Murphy, the screenplay was recently given a harsh review through a series of tweets by Hitfix's Drew McWeeny. The draft was written by Joshua Zetumer, with revisions by Nick Schenk (Gran Torino). It's quite clear that he did not approve of this script, as you can see from his comments that offer some new details on the story.

"I tried to read the RoboCop remake, but 20 pages in my nose started bleeding and I forgot my name. #nobueno #reallynobueno

I'll share this one detail. In the film, when Murphy is turned into RoboCop 1.0, it's described 'a high-tech version of the '80s suit.' Then they show a focus group scene where criminals laugh at the design. "He looks like a toy from the '80s!" So they redesign him to look 'meaner' as RoboCop 2.0, who passes focus group approval. So they not only make sure to include the original design, they also point out it's dated and stupid. *facepalm*

Hold onto your sides for more hilarious RoboCop details. They outsource his construction to China. #seriously

And we meet the ED-209s in the field in Iran, where they're used to subdue suicide bombers. #ineedallthedrinksnow

Short version: this script makes my stomach hurt very, very badly.

Ahhh... now they just dropped RoboCop 3.0 onto an Al Queda training camp to see what he does.

'He should be programmed to incapacitate in all scenarios.' 'Agreed. Let's keep him PG-13, Dr. Norton.' No. No. No. No.

By page 54, they are already onto RoboCop 4.0, who looks like a "cop on steroids painted metallic blue."

Oh, god... oh dear god... RoboCop is a Transformer. He goes from "social mode" to "combat mode" and back. Full transformation.

I'm going to go stand in my backyard and scream at the moon for a while. My brain needs a shower.

Write it down. Page 55, the RoboCop remake beat me. I'm done. I can't hurt more than this.

Okay... the two "best" lines in the script. First up is at the unveiling ceremony for RoboCop in Detroit, from a TV reporter covering it. 'I think it's safe to say that Alex Murphy is now part man, part machine, ALL COP!' Yes, I too remember the original poster, asshat. Second, after the traumatic first meeting with his father, Alex's son retreats to the apartment of Lewis, Murphy's male partner. The scene ends with the action line 'David sits, catatonic, looks at the TV - MGM REMAKE TBD.'

Good god... it just keeps topping itself. It's like someone wrote a script scientifically fine-tuned to destroy me. Someone shows Pope, head of the OCP project, some mock-ups for RoboCop action figures. 'Are you kidding? I wouldn't buy that for a dollar!' Yeah, that just happened. NOT SO FUNNY NOW, IS IT?!

When this thing hits theaters, people are going to call up Len Wiseman's Total Recall on the phone and apologize for being so mean. 'I'm sorry, Total Recall. I had no idea how bad things could get. You're starting to look like a masterpiece right about now.'

I'll say this: once the script stops all the winky-winky crap and just starts telling a story, it's not terrible. But it's way too late. If you can get past Total Recall The Transformer, there are some interesting action beats. And I'm sure (José) Padilha will direct the hell out of it. But overall? Ouch. Ouch. Oh please don't. Ouch. And a big side order of ouch."


Of course, there may be changes to the script between now and whenever shooting starts, so these troublesome areas may indeed be rectified.

RoboCop comes to theaters February 7th, 2014 and stars Joel Kinnaman, Gary Oldman, Samuel L. Jackson, Abbie Cornish, Jackie Earle Haley, Michael Keaton, Jay Baruchel, Michael K. Williams. The film is directed by José Padilha.



Sources: Drew McWeeny

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Comments (23)

  1. Vanboy

    @rufio, excellent points regarding R2D2. That's Lucas; pissing on his own legacy.

    9 months agoby @vanboyFlag

  2. SherlockHolmes2009

    @rufio Yea either way im not liking the idea and i wish that if they are making a remake then they still really close to the story, not do a complete 180

    9 months agoby @SherlockHolmes2009Flag

  3. Rufio

    @SherlockHolmes2009 yeah, but they'll prolly flip the story. instead of playboy billionaire it'll be 'everyday joe whose gotta work for the dough but catches a break when science or a rich social-philanthropist wants to save the day helps him become robocop' kinda hero. and yes, i bet at some point, in some way they make him fly (much like george lucas made r2d2fly in episode II despite the fact that he never flew in episodes 4-6... he just fell off starcraft or had to be lifted and put in place by robotic arms... i digress...). lol

    9 months agoby @rufioFlag

  4. SherlockHolmes2009

    @rufio So theyre doing a RoboCop/Iron Man kinda movie? So that means hes gonna fly and be a playboy billionaire

    9 months agoby @SherlockHolmes2009Flag

  5. Mutant

    it might turn out good, i hope

    9 months agoby @zenderFlag

  6. THE JOKER

    @andrew-thompson yes, I definitely agree... I loathe remakes... especially when there is no reason to remake the films...

    9 months agoby @mcleve02Flag

  7. jasdjqs

    oh boy

    9 months agoby @jasdjqsFlag

  8. Andrew Thompson

    Sounded Like It was Going To Blow "WHEN THEY DECIDED TO REMAKE THE DAMN MOVIE!"

    9 months agoby @andrew-thompsonFlag

  9. THE JOKER

    Still sounds like it is going to blow!

    9 months agoby @mcleve02Flag

  10. Rufio

    @SherlockHolmes2009 that's what i read. 4 mocks... er, i mean Marks. *i think someone forgot Iron Man and his many suits already exists*

    9 months agoby @rufioFlag

  11. EvilWhiteMale

    Do we really need Robocop? We already have Iron Man.

    9 months agoby @evilwhitemaleFlag

  12. Youngrizo

    I miss the good old days when we watched the movie then decided if we liked it.

    9 months agoby @youngrizoFlag

  13. Bawnian©-Dexeus

    @mcleve02 By all means :)

    9 months agoby @bawnian-dexeusFlag

  14. SherlockHolmes2009

    4 versions?! Wtf

    9 months agoby @SherlockHolmes2009Flag

  15. THE JOKER

    @bawnian-dexeus if I may, jajajajaja

    9 months agoby @mcleve02Flag

  16. Yannick Decorte

    I'm more interested in whether the script is good as a script rather than how big of a fanboy the reviewer is. It's too bad that the apparent quality of the script on its own is relegated to a brief paragraph at the end.

    9 months agoby @yannick-decorteFlag

  17. Bawnian©-Dexeus

    Dafuq did I just read?

    9 months agoby @bawnian-dexeusFlag

  18. the MovieGhost

    Yeah... I really don't care about anything RoboCop. Hopefully they can get their crap together though.

    9 months agoby @the-movieghostFlag

  19. thedude-abides

    I'm surprised the guy actually takes this thing so serious. It's f*cking Robocop. You were expecting The Master? #dumbass

    9 months agoby @thedude-abidesFlag

  20. THE JOKER

    @skywise yeah... I can't say that it is...

    9 months agoby @mcleve02Flag

  21. skywise

    not really surprising either.

    9 months agoby @skywiseFlag

  22. THE JOKER

    Not off to a good start mateys!

    9 months agoby @mcleve02Flag

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