Amazon close to making a new RoboCop series

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As a 90’s kid who grew up with the original RoboCop movies, I must say that the news of a new TV series brings a mix of excitement and skepticism. The original movie was a powerful critique of corporate greed and governmental apathy, which felt incredibly relevant during the Reagan era and still resonates today. However, the franchise has been through so many iterations since then, it’s hard not to feel a little jaded. From KFC commercials to wrestling in the WCW, RoboCop has certainly had an interesting post-movie career!

The 1987 film “RoboCop,” directed by Paul Verhoeven, centers around a powerful corporation named Omni Consumer Products (OCP), who aim to privatize the police force in Detroit, leading to disastrous consequences. This movie serves as a biting critique of corporate-friendly policies during the Reagan era, while also incorporating excessive violence and Verhoeven’s signature blend of humor and vulgarity.

After that point, RoboCop has turned into a pawn for corporate maneuvers. There have been two sequels, a 2014 remake featuring Joel Kinnaman as the main character, the fallen police officer reborn as a robotic enforcer, which I had forgotten about. Additionally, four different TV series (two live-action, two animated) were produced over the following three decades. RoboCop has also been seen promoting fast food chains like KFC, instant noodles, and wrestling in the WCW. It appears that whoever holds the rights to the character is not too choosy about its uses.

As a gaming enthusiast diving into the world of TV series, I can’t help but feel a buzz when I hear about a new project from someone like Peter Ocko, who was instrumental in creating the captivating AMC series Lodge 49. The latest gossip from The Hollywood Reporter suggests that this show is edging closer to getting the go-ahead, although it’s not quite there yet. With a showrunner on board, we might just be on the verge of an official announcement soon!

Is Amazon an ideal choice for exploring this capitalist excess narrative? Given its complex history with science fiction shows, it could be quite ironic. While Amazon canceled “The Peripheral,” a series produced by the team behind HBO’s “Westworld,” after just one season, they had greater success with “Fallout,” adapted from the highly popular video games. However, “RoboCop” is more widely known than “The Peripheral,” which was based on William Gibson’s 2014 novel. But we’re yet to reach the height of “RoboCop’s” influence. Can a new series revive its fame? Let’s wait and see.

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2024-10-02 16:41