Though some aren't quite enamored with this film already, “Elite Squad” helmer José Padilha has assembled quite a cast for his remake of Paul Verhoeven’s cult classic, “RoboCop.” And he keeps adding to it as Marianne Jean-Baptiste has joined the cast as the Detroit Police Chief, Karen Dean.
Earlier this week we got some details on the direction the film will go in, which is basically tackling the same social commentary as the original with some interesting updates (Joel Kinnaman’s RoboCop being deployed “onto an Al Qaeda training camp to see what he does” among them). And though the nerd contingency seems to be in an ire over some the choices, we don’t really have a problem with it and we remain somewhat optimistic, due in large part to the actors being rounded up to play along.
Jean-Baptiste, who earned an Academy Award nomination for her performance in Mike Leigh’s “Secrets & Lies,” will be in good company opposite Kinnaman, Gary Oldman, Samuel L. Jackson, Jay Baruchel, Abbie Cornish, Hugh Laurie, Jennifer Ehle and Michael K.Williams. Part machine, part man, and all cop, “RoboCop” will hit the streets on August 9, 2013.[Variety]