Sci-Fi Film and Television Developments

Robopocalypse

1/09/13 - Steven Spielberg's DreamWorks studio has postponed Robopocalypse, distributor Walt Disney said in a statement.  Disney did not give a reason for the delay, but a source with knowledge of the film said the director was dissatisfied with the script and production budget estimates.  The science-fiction movie was set to begin production this spring and be released in April 2014. No new date was announced.  Source: Reuters

5/31/12 - The Walt Disney Studios and 20th Century Fox are moving the release of Robopocalypse from July 3, 2013 to April 25, 2014

11/9/11 - Steven Spielberg will shoot his sci-fi thriller Robopocalypse in Montreal in summer 2012, according to The Hollywood Reporter.  The Canadian shoot comes ahead of a July 3, 2013 global release for the DreamWorks picture, to be released domestically by Disney and internationally by Fox.  Pre-production on Robopocalypse is set to start in March 2012, with cameras to roll from July to September.

10/22/10 – Variety reported that Steven Spielberg will direct futuristic drama Robopocalypse for DreamWorks and begin shooting in January 2012.  Disney will distribute the films through its Touchstone label in 2013.  “Robopocalypse embodies an imaginative story of a robot rebellion unleashed against the human race," DreamWorks co-president of production Mark Sourian said. "This is a project we immediately sparked to and with Steven directing it we knew it was in the best possible hands to bring it to worldwide audiences."  Robopocalypse, based on the novel of the same name by Daniel H. Wilson, explores the fate of the human race following a robot uprising. Drew Goddard has penned the adaptation.  DreamWorks acquired feature rights to Wilson's unpublished manuscript in November. Doubleday has publishing rights will release the book in June.

11/4/09 - DreamWorks Studios and Doubleday have preemptively acquired film and publishing rights to Daniel H. Wilson's unpublished manuscript, "Robopocalypse," which explores the fate of the human race after a robot uprising, according to The Hollywood Reporter.  DreamWorks acquired the film rights from literary manager Justin Manask.  The angry-robots story line has played out in many movies, but Wilson, an actual Ph.D. in robotics, has grounded his tale with a heavy degree of authenticity derived from real robot technology.  Wilson added: "Writing this novel is an incredible thrill, after spending years studying and thinking about robotics. My hope is that the story we tell will make the robots of the future proud of us humans."  Wilson is the author of the 2005 book "How to Survive a Robot Uprising: Tips on Defending Yourself Against the Coming Rebellion."  Wilson's other books include "Where's My Jetpack?: A Guide to the Amazing Science Fiction Future That Never Arrived," "How to Build a Robot Army: Tips on Defending Planet Earth Against Aliens, Ninjas, and Zombies" and "The Mad Scientist Hall of Fame: Muwahahaha!"

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