Hugh Jackman is in talks to star in the Shawn Levy-directed Real Steel for DreamWorks, says Variety.
Jackman is to play an ex-fighter who becomes a promoter when human boxing is outlawed for being too violent. The new gladiators are 2,000-pound robots with human qualities. The ex-fighter’s access to sub-standard robot parts hampers his hopes for glory in Robot Boxing, until he discovers a discarded robot that always seems to win. The ex-fighter has also discovered he’s the father of a 13-year old son, and they bond as the robot brawls its way toward the top.
The premise is based on a short story by Richard Matheson that was adapted into an original “Twilight Zone” episode that starred Lee Marvin.
John Gatins is rewriting the current draft with Levy, and the studio is eyeing a May production start.
Angry Films’ Don Murphy and Susan Montford are producing. Executive producers are Steven Spielberg and ImageMovers troika Robert Zemeckis, Jack Rapke and Steve Starkey. Levy also is a producer.
