Friday
13Nov2009
Shawn Levy Wants Hugh Jackman for 'Real Steel'
Friday, November 13, 2009 at 2:28AM
You probably didn't see The Box. I think that's clear. So I'll reference I Am Legend as something
from writer Richard Matheson with which you might be familiar. The sci-fi author even wrote some Twilight Zone episodes early
on, and his latest film adaptation, Real Steel, may star Hugh Jackman as a futuristic fighter battling robots for his last
shot at glory.
"When I sat down with [Steven Spielberg], I had a very, very specific vision of this movie, one that really puts the emphasis on the story and the sports-movie aspect as much as on the machinery." "Real Steel is my first non-comedy. I will likely come back to comedy. It's certainly been very, very good to me. But like anyone who does anything, freshness and new experience is what keeps you interested. So when Steven called and said, 'Hey, you want to do this thing?' I was like, 'Hell yeah, I'm looking for a different experience.'"With Spielberg behind him, of course, there is a greater chance for success than if Levy were taking a run at something like this completely on his own. Stranger things may have happened. I'm always in agreement with someone who wants to focus on the human side of a futuristic story, because much like robot boxing, movie audiences need that catharsis, too, someone we can relate to. Levy continues, "It's faithful to the story in that that story was very much about a down-on-his-luck, slightly desperate journeyman who works in this robot boxing sport and who is desperately needing redemption and one last shot. The movie is more Rocky than Transformers." If he can corral Jackman, that would certainly help. I'll remain skeptical overall, but it sounds like he's moving in the right direction.
Colin Boyd | Permalink | in Hugh Jackman, Sci-Fi | Print Article | Email Article | Post a Comment | Share Article
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