By Dave McNary
March 10, 2013
Padilha already onboard to direct MGM pic.
MGM’s tapped Josh Zetumer to pen the reboot of its “Robocop” franchise.
The Lion signed Brazilian director Jose Padilha last week to helm “Robocop” as MGM begins to emerge as a player in market in wake of emerging from its pre-packaged bankruptcy late last year with a $500 million cash infusion.
“Robocop” had been fast-tracked three years ago as the first potential tentpole to come together under Mary Parent’s regime, with director Darren Aronofsky attached at one point. Phoenix Pictures’ Mike Medavoy, who produced the original film for Orion in 1987 with Paul Verhoeven directing, remains on board as producer alongside Arnold Messer, Brad Fischer and David Thwaites.
MGM recenlty came on board to co-finance “Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters” with Paramount. In January, MGM swapped international distribution on “The Hobbit” with Warner Bros. in exchange for Warners picking up its share of production costs.
Zetumer’s credits include “The Infiltrator” for Warner Bros., “Dune” for Paramount and Universal’s fourth Jason Bourne movie prior to Tony Gilroy coming on board.
He’s repped by UTA and Management 360.