We're having to get used to being disappointed when Neill Blomkamp announces he's working on a continuation to a genre favourite, only for the vagaries of filmmaking to get in the way. First it was his plans for a new Alien film, and now he's no longer making RoboCop Returns, as he reported on Twitter.
At least Blomkamp offers a note of hope that the film might actually go ahead despite his leaving the project, so we may yet see it hit screens. MGM had been attempting to develop a new chapter of the RoboCop story, with original writers Ed Neumeier and Michael Miner overseeing the script and Justin Rhodes working on the latest draft. The story reportedly sees Detroit fallen further into mayhem and criminal chaos when slain cop-turned cyborg-hero RoboCop makes his triumphant return to clear up the streets.
Whatever happens with Robo and co, we're sorry to see that Blomkamp won't be driving it, but happy that he's getting to work on a new film.