Robocop Reboot Finds a Lead Actor?

Posted by on February 27th, 2012   Filed under: Action, Rumours, Sci-fi
Source: THR

Whether or not you believe that a Robocop reboot is actually worth pursuing, you have to admit that one of the most difficult aspects of this project will be trying to overcome the memory of Paul Verhoeven’s film and Peter Weller’s iconic performance from 1987. The best option would probably be to aim for something entirely different, which is precisely what director Jose Padilha (Elite Squad) seems to be doing. He has hinted that the movie will focus on the process of turning a man into a machine, which could definitely be a unique challenge not only for the director but for the lead actor as well. If all goes according to plan, it seems that lead actor will be an up and coming star as Padilha and MGM have reportedly locked their sights on 32-year-old Swedish actor Joel Kinnaman to play the new Robocop.

According to THR, an offer has gone out to Kinnaman for the lead role in Robocop, but he has yet to respond. Nothing is finalized, but it’s hard to imagine that he would turn down such a big opportunity. Negotiations are expected to begin shortly.

Joel Kinnaman is best known to American audiences as Stephen Holder from the AMC series The Killing, but he also recently had small roles in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, The Darkest Hour and Safe House. He is slightly more familiar to moviegoers overseas, who may have seen him in the Swedish crime thriller Snabba Cash (Easy Money), which, incidentally, was also directed by Safe House helmer Daniel Espinosa. I haven’t seen either The Killing or Snabba Cash, so I can’t really speak for his acting talent, but I have to admit I’m a little surprised that MGM didn’t go with a slightly bigger name. What do you think, is Kinnaman a good choice to play the new Robocop? Are you looking forward to this film?



  • Danch

    We swedes seem him as our new hollywood stars, his roles in Sweden have been great success. It’s just a matter of time before he will be known to a bigger audience I suspect.

  • Steve Kasan

    It’s a good pick. He was really stellar on The Killing. Also, him being a lanky guy works because of the Robocop suit. Weller was a skinny dude in the first one.
    It was, not sure a major, reason why Arnold wasn’t Robocop because his bulk did not work well with the suit. Thus, Verhoeven and Arnold had to prolong working together until Recall.

  • kyri

    I am really exited for this project, Jose Padilha is a very talented director.

  • JanZel

    He is garbage, strange choice

  • MarilynM

    Very good actor. He is so thorough in his portrayal of former meth addict Holder in The Killing that many Americans confuse the actor–in looks, body build and personality–with the fictional TV character. The new Snabba Cash 2 movie trailer gives a more accurate sense of his looks and action movie background.