- Title: UNITED KINGDOM: Updated version of Robocop receives its world premiere in London
- Date: 5th February 2014
- Summary: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (FEBRUARY 05, 2014) (REUTERS) (SOUNDBITE) (English) ACTOR JOEL KINNAMAN, SAYING: "It was a challenging part. It was tough to wear the suit and everything every day but that then became an integral part of the characterisation of the guy and the vulnerability that he also has even though he's got this powerful body. So it was a lot of fun bu
- Embargoed: 20th February 2014 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: United Kingdom
- Country: United Kingdom
- Topics: General
- Reuters ID: LVA6YDRGV8GF0U0WV2DJWPE5H998
- Story Text: Nearly 27 years after the original 'Robocop' movie hit cinema screens, an updated version of the sci-fi tale about a policeman transformed into a cybernetic law enforcer was officially launched at the IMAX in London on Wednesday night (February 05).
The 1987 original, helmed by Dutch director Paul Verhoeven and starring Peter Weller, became an international hit and even won several awards including an Oscar for sound effects editing.
Now, the story is being retold with Swedish heartthrob Joel Kinnaman playing the robotic policeman who develops a conscience and fights back against the corporation that made him.
"The 1987 film, it was futuristic fantasy of how things could be way off in the future but now 2013, 2014 we're... it's not so much science fiction anymore, it's pretty much science," Kinnaman explained on the premiere's blue carpet.
His co-star, Abbie Cornish, who plays his wife in the movie agreed, saying, "If you research what's going in regards to technology and drones and robotic limbs and development of medical as well as the military, you'll find it's incredibly relevant."
The cast is rounded off by Gary Oldman, who plays Dr. Dennett Norton, the man who creates Robocop on the behest of the multinational conglomerate Omnicorp. He is no stranger to successful adaptations and reboots, having starred in the 'Harry Potter' and the 'Dark Knight' movies.
When asked what convincing he needed to get involved with this reinvention, he replied "I thought that updating this story could work. I thought it made sense to me, of all the things that they are remaking, this one could take an update. And Jose, the director, was so smart and charming that he sealed it for me really."
Brazilian director Jose Padilha is best known for his movies 'Elite Squad' and 'Elite Squad: The Enemy Within', which received critical acclaim internationally. He revealed that the idea of remaking 'Robocop' came after a meeting with executives at Hollywood studio MGM.
"I actually went for a meeting with MGM - Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer - and they were talking about doing a lot of films. They discussed those movies with me and I wasn't really interested in any of them but behind the executives there was a 'Robocop' poster and then at the end of the movie (meeting) I myself said 'Why don't we do Robocop again? That's a great film based on a great concept' and then two days later, I got a call from my agent saying 'I don't know what you've done but they're calling you about 'Robocop''," he said.
In this version of the movie, after a car bomb explodes outside his house, Alex Murphy (Kinnaman), who later becomes Robocop, is left only with his head, his lungs and one hand.
"It was a challenging part. It was tough to wear the suit and everything every day but that then became an integral part of the characterisation of the guy and the vulnerability that he also has even though he's got this powerful body. So it was a lot of fun but it was hard work - it was five hard months," said Kinnaman.
When asked about the downside of playing in the Robocop suit - specifically toilet breaks - the Swedish actor joked "No toilet breaks. I'd just go and clean it up after."
"Robocop" goes on release in France, Indonesia and the Philippines on February 5, and will get its North American rollout on February 12. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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