MGM Roars Again With Robocop & Poltergeist?

Feb 22, 2011

Now that MGM has returned to a more secure footing courtesy of a 0m capital injection last year, they are finding the time to properly trawl through all of their various “stuck in limbo” projects to see what can be dusted off and shocked back to life.

MGM has already come on board with Paramount to co-finance Hansel & Gretel (starring Jeremy Renner and Gemma Arterton) and now they are putting word out that they intend to move forward with the following:-

A reboot of Robocop. This was going to be a project for Darren Aronofsky who has since made Black Swan and signed on for The Wolverine. MGM want to get this moving towards production as soon as possible
Mr Mom. This early 1980’s effort starred Michael Keaton as a stay at home dad and was written by John Hughes. It is perhaps not well known, but a good watch none the less.
The Idolmaker. I cannot pretend to know much about this, but the 1980 film of the same name, directed by Taylor Hackford (Ray, Proof of Life, The Devil’s Advocate), was about a music producer discovering young talent. MGM are looking at a remake of this tale of a mercenary producer and his efforts to turn unknown teen boys into superstar teen idols.
Hercules. Although the story of Hercules has had a whole host of cinematic incarnations, MGM are said to be looking at the idea of Hercules turning his back on the gods of Mount Olympus, becoming a merc and training up an army. Peter Berg (Battleship, Hancock, Friday Night Lights) is producing this project, which is still in development.
Poltergeist. This may be a straight fourth sequel, or a reboot and given the success of jumpy supernatural films like Paranormal Activity, The Rite and (at least going by the trailer) Apollo 18, its resurrection comes as no surprise.

Well, that seems like plenty to be getting on with. What do you think? Do any of those appeal? Let us know below.

Source: Variety.

6 COMMENTS

Anonymous Feb 24, 2011 At 02:02

**Yawn**
Thomas Hart Feb 24, 2011 At 02:58

How sad. Back in the golden age of 1930s, 40s, and 50s MGM would turn out as many as 50 movies a year. Not all of them were great, and there were adaptations of novels and sequels, but still a hundred times better than this lot. The only MGM movie I’m looking forward to is the new Bond movie.
SmarterThanLibs Feb 24, 2011 At 03:15

Is it that I am ancient at 40 or does the fact that Hollywood is already remaking movies I saw 20 years ago mean they have lost all creativity?
spool32 Feb 24, 2011 At 04:28

Completely uninterested in seeing any of those.
sharpshiny Feb 24, 2011 At 06:59

Let me get this straight. Four out of five of MGM’s hot new ideas are remakes? You gotta be freakin’ kidding me. Hollywood, you suck!
Dave Roper Feb 24, 2011 At 13:41

I’m inclined to agree with all of these comments. I think it is being charitable in the extreme to suggest that MGM’s troubled financial history explains their cautious, stick to the beaten track approach. I can’t see that any studios are exempt from this increasing trend of laziness. Of course there are novel, non-derivative, inventive films out there, but increasingly we’re seeing unnecessary sequels, remakes and reboots that represent nothing more or less than creative bankruptcy. The problem is, as these films make more and more money, it causes the studios to feel ever more convinced that this is the right way forward and it only gets worse. Not sure what the future holds.