Michael Fassbender Keeping Open Mind On Robocop Role

Collider was able to speak with Michael Fassbender (First Class, Shame, Inglourious Basterds) on the rumor he was wanted by director Jose Padilha (Elite Squad 1-2) for the role of Alex Murphy in his Robocop reboot. While he neither confirms nor denies his involvement, Fassbender sounds open to the role if anything else.

Question: Because of all of the success that you’ve had recently, there are lots of rumors that you are attached to all sorts of great projects. Is RoboCop something that you’d like to do?


MICHAEL FASSBENDER: You know, I’m always open. I’ll take a look at the script and sit down with the director and have a conversation. It’s not definitely like, “Oh, I’ve got to play RoboCop before I retire.” I don’t have that about anything. I don’t go, “I have to play the Dane one day, or Hamlet.” I don’t really think like that. I just wait and see what comes up, and I’m always open to it. If I react to the script, then I’m up for anything. 

Would you dread wearing a metal suit?

FASSBENDER: No. It could be kind of fun. It could be kind of good to have a helmet that I could hide behind, for most of the film, too. That sounds kind of appealing.

Jose Padilha Wants Michael Fassbender For Robocop

ScreenRant has caught wind of an interview where director Jose Padilha (Elite Squad 2) states his choice for the lead in his Robocop reboot is Michael Fassbender. It's a great decision considering how well the actor is doing commercially and critically at this point in his career. The only thing is that Fassbender is on every one's list recently being wanted for both WB's Akira and The Man From U.N.C.L.E. Not to mention reprising the role of Magento in the X-Men First Class sequel which is likely to get fast-tracked by Fox. Personally I think he'd make a better Clarence Boddicker if that's the villain they're going with for the film.

8 Directors In The Running For The Wolverine

ShowBlitz is reporting that 20th Century Fox is circling eight directors for The Wolverine. It originally had Darren Aronofsky set to direct with a script by Christopher McQuarrie. The directors include Jose Padilha (Elite Squad 1-2, Robocop), Doug Liman (Bourne Identity, Mr. & Mrs. Smith, All You Need Is Kill), Antoine Fuqua (Training Day, Brooklyn's Finest), Mark Romanek (One Hour Photo, Never Let Me Go), Justin Lin (Fast Five, Highlander, Terminator 5), Gavin O’Connor (Warrior), James Mangold (Cop Land, Knight & Day, 3:10 To Yuma, Walk The Line) and Gary Shore.


My favorites of this group includes Mark Romanek, Jose Padilha, Gavin O'Connor, James Mangold and Antoine Fuqua. The likes of Lin and Liman sort of worries me as these two aren't strong visually and aren't as well liked as some of the other candidates. Even more so when compared to the likes of Aronofsky and the rumored Duncan Jones (Moon, Source Code). I'd love to see Romanek take on a big genre film as he was originally set to make The Wolf Man before walking and forcing Universal to rush the project.

RUMOR: Cruise, Reeves & Depp In The Running For Robocop?

MovieHole is claiming rumblings of possible candidates for MGM's Robocop remake with José Padilha (Elite Squad 1-2) set to direct. They include some big names such as Tom Cruise, Keanu Reeves and Johnny Depp. I'd call bullshit on this rumor but I could see any of these actors in the role of Alex Murphy. I'd rather see Cruise in the film as it would be pretty shocking to see him killed on screen then resurrected as a cyborg cop. Of course this could totally false as all three actors have upcoming films about to shoot but it's still interesting to think one of these actors could be the next Robocop.

Jose Padilha In Talks With MGM To Direct Robocop Reboot

It doesn't look like we'll ever see Darren Aronofsky's version of Robocop as Deadline reports that MGM is in talks with Brazilian director Jose Padilha to helm the reboot. While I did enjoy Padilha's Elite Squad and I hear great things about the sequel there could be issues. Jose has yet to work in the world of extensive special effects or even the world of science fiction. It's risky but could be one of the more interesting reboots in development. I have mixed feelings on this choice as the prospect of Aronofsky directing is becoming slim.