Joel Kinnaman: Robocop 2.0?
As the title says–Deadline reports that MGM is offering the lead role in the “Robocop” remake to Joel Kinnaman. Peter Weller played the part in the original 1987 film directed by Paul Verhoeven. Jose Padhilla is directing the remake.
Kinnaman is best known to US audiences for his role on TV’s “The Killing,” but can be seen currently in “Safe House.” He also had a huge big screen hit in his native Sweden with “Snabba Cash”; Daniel Espinosa, who directed “Snabba Cash,” also directed “Safe House.” Kinnaman will also be seen in the sequel “Snabba Cash 2.”
Kinnaman has a hole in his schedule thanks to the “Arthur & Lancelot” disaster. The David Dobkin film was dropped by Warner Brothers after Dobkin couldn’t get the budget down low enough for the studio’s austere financial taste. WB gave Dobkin permission to take the project to another studio, but so far it doesn’t look like there are any takers.
Does that mean Kinnaman will sign up for Robocop duty? I’ve got to think we now have the technology to make the big suit cooler and less clunky. The clunkiness was charming for the audience, but no doubt damn awkward for Weller. Let’s hope Kinnaman takes the role; I don’t know who else would be better.
