Amazon Prime Video is gearing up to launch a new RoboCop series, breathing new life into the classic sci-fi franchise. According to Deadline, Peter Ocko, known for his work on The Office US and Pushing Daisies, has been chosen to spearhead the project as writer, showrunner, and executive producer. James Wan, famed for his creation of the Conjuring universe, will join him as an executive producer under his Atomic Monster production company.
The new series marks another attempt to reboot the RoboCop franchise, which has seen various projects come and go, including the scrapped RoboCop Returns by Neill Blomkamp. This latest venture by Amazon comes on the heels of its acquisition of MGM in 2022, which included a treasure trove of potential projects like Stargate, Legally Blonde, and The Pink Panther.
RoboCop is set to explore the narrative familiar to fans of the original films, where a major tech conglomerate collaborates with local law enforcement to deploy a high-tech cyborg tasked with tackling escalating crime rates. This cyborg, a police officer who is part man and part machine, is known for his relentless enforcement of the law.
While the series will follow the thematic essence of the original 1987 movie directed by Paul Verhoeven, it remains to be seen whether the character of Alex Murphy, the original RoboCop, will be featured or if Amazon will introduce a new character to don the cyborg mantle.
Amazon and MGM have not only earmarked RoboCop for potential development but are also considering whether to extend the project into a feature film. The series’ development includes Michael Clear and Rob Hackett of Atomic Monster alongside Ocko and Wan, ensuring a robust production team.
Despite previous failed attempts to revive RoboCop in both film and television, including a less celebrated 2014 reboot and various talks of sequels and prequels, there is cautious optimism around this new adaptation. The enduring appeal of RoboCop was highlighted by the recent success of RoboCop: Rogue City, a video game that received positive reviews and rekindled interest in the franchise.
Fans of the original films and new audiences alike wait for more details, but the prospect of exploring the dystopian world of RoboCop with a fresh perspective promises to bring a unique and modern twist to the beloved series.
Natalie is a big fan of anything related to movies, TV shows, games, and comics — you name it. When she’s not reading or geeking out about the latest shows on Netflix, she’s probably playing gacha and tabletop games, or daydreaming of meeting her idols.
Kevin Low
