Director Shawn Levy has revealed more about his upcoming sci-fi movie “Real Steel”, which is being described as “a father/son action drama set in the near future, surrounding the sport of robot boxing.” If that sounds familiar, it may be because the movie will be based on a short story by the prolific sci-fi/fantasy writer Richard Matheson (“I am Legend”, among many, many others), who previously adapted his story into a “Twilight Zone” episode in 1963 called “Steel”. In the interview, Levy says that the movie won’t be an all-out robot action movie ala “Terminator” or “Transformers”. He also confirms that the top candidate to headline the film is Hugh Jackman.
Levy is known primarily as a comedy director, so this will be his first non-comedy role. Which is good news to anyone who was afraid Levy might turn this thing into a PG-rated gagfest ala the silly and over-the-top “Battle at the Smithsonian” movies.
In the original “Twilight Zone” episode, human boxing has been outlawed, leaving only robots to battle it out for the prize money. Lee Marvin plays a fight promoter who takes the place of his damaged robot to fight in the ring for some much-needed cash. The movie version will take a slightly different path. Jackman will now play an ex-fighter who becomes a robot boxing promoter with a 13-year old son. Father and son bond as their robot fights its way to the top. Awwwww. Isn’t that heart warming?
Expect the brawlin’ robots in 2011.
The best thing about robot fighting? No accidental groin kicks.
