Abe Forsythe, director of the zombie comedy Little Monsters has been tapped to direct RoboCop Returns for MGM.
THR reports that RoboCop Returns will be a direct sequel to Orion’s 1987 sci-fi classic RoboCop directed by Paul Verhoeven. Original RoboCop screenwriters Ed Neumier and Michael Miner will serve as producers alongside Atlas Entertainment’s Richard Suckle on RoboCop Returns.
Both Neumier and Miner wrote a draft for RoboCop Returns a few years back with Terminator: Dark Fate scribe Justin Rhodes. The most recent draft was written by Rhodes in 2018 when Neill Blomkamp (District 9; Elysium; Chappie) was attached to direct. Forsythe will rewrite Rhodes’ draft for the film.
Forsythe directed the zombie comedy Little Monsters, which starred Academy Award-winner Lupita Nyong’o and Frozen 2 voice actor Josh Gad. The film was released in North America by NEON and is available to stream on Hulu.
The original RoboCop starred Peter Weller as Alex Murphy and grossed $53.4 million worldwide on a budget of $13 million. Verhoeven’s ultraviolent sci-fi satire became a cult classic following its release. It spawned two sequels: RoboCop 2 and RoboCop 3 as well as a remake in 2014 which starred Joel Kinnaman in the titular role. The remake grossed $242.7 million on a $100 million budget and received mixed reviews.
What do you make of this news? Is Abe Forsythe a good choice to direct RoboCop Returns? Sound off in the comments below, and be sure to continue following Heroic Hollywood for all the latest news on MGM’s RoboCop Returns and the future of classic sci-fi franchises returning to theaters after so many years.
Source: THR
