A new series, based on Paul Verhoeven’s 1987 classic ‘RoboCop’, has inched closer to development at Amazon, setting Peter Ocko (Lodge 49) as writer, EP and showrunner, along with James Wan as exec producer.
Based on the description, the series pretty much sticks to the original film’s premise – a giant tech conglomerate collaborates with the local police department to introduce a technologically advanced enforcer to combat rising crime, a police officer who’s part man, part machine.
Peter Ocko is a seasoned American television writer, producer, and showrunner, known for his versatile contributions to both comedy and drama. With a career spanning several decades, he has worked on a wide array of popular series, including “Pushing Daisies,” “The Office,” and “Lodge 49,” where he showcased his unique ability to blend wit, heart, and compelling storytelling. Ocko’s career is marked by his talent for creating engaging, character-driven narratives, and he is also recognized for his work on AMC’s “Moonhaven,” where he served as creator and executive producer.
James Wan is a filmmaker, screenwriter, and producer, widely known for his influential work in the horror genre. He gained prominence as the co-creator and director of the groundbreaking horror franchise ‘Saw’, which became a cultural phenomenon. Wan further cemented his legacy with the creation of the ‘Insidious’ and ‘The Conjuring’ franchises, solidifying his reputation as a master of modern horror. Beyond the genre, Wan has also directed successful blockbuster films, including ‘Furious 7’ and the ‘Aquaman’ movies.
The ‘RoboCop’ franchise began with the 1987 film directed by Paul Verhoeven, which quickly became a cult classic. Known for its blend of visceral action, dark satire, and social commentary on issues like privatization and dehumanization, the franchise expanded into several sequels, television shows, animated series, comic books, and video games. While the original film is widely praised for its sharp social critique and groundbreaking special effects, subsequent entries have been met with mixed reception, including a 2014 reboot that modernized the character while attempting to retain the core themes of the original. Despite ups and downs, ‘RoboCop’Â remains an iconic figure in science fiction and popular culture.
News of this series being in development first landed back in April 2023, as it was announced Amazon Studios planned to leverage a number of the MGM properties they acquired following their takeover of the historic studio. Other targets mentioned at the time included ‘Stargate’, ‘Legally Blonde’, ‘Fame’, ‘Barbershop’, ‘The Magnificent Seven’, ‘Pink Panther’ and ‘The Thomas Crown Affair’. Out of those, a ‘Legally Blonde’ prequel series has been ordered from Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine, Michael B. Jordan is set to direct and star in a new version of ‘The Thomas Crown Affair’, and, apparently, Eddie Murphy is circling a new version of ‘Pink Panther’…
The ‘RoboCop’ series is very much classed as still “in development”, but we’ll let you know when we hear more.
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