Star Interview

Exclusive interview with RoboCop director Jose Padilha

Q: How does your remake of RoboCop differ from the original?

A : It’s set in 2028 and robots are actively operating and patrolling overseas, so this has contemporary overtones, what with drone
warfare and so on. In the film, America is a ‘robophobic’ nation. So the OmniCorp Corporation, headed up by Michael Keaton’s
character, is actively looking to place a man inside a machine. Which is ultimately what happens to our central character Murphy,
played by Joel Kinnaman."


Q: Have you focused more on Murphy’s humanity in this version?

A: "There’s a line in the film said by Keaton’s character which is, “a product with a conscience." The challenges Murphy faces
when he becomes RoboCop, the fact that he is no longer able to make love to his wife, for instance – that’s what the film is about.
And we found the right actor in Joel Kinnaman to bring those themes alive."


Q: You helmed the successful Brazilian Elite Squad series. What was it like making the transition to RoboCop?

A; "In Brazil I write my own scripts and finance the movies myself. When it comes to this movie, you’re dealing with a big studio
so there is a degree more responsibility. Not to mention that I’m dealing with big movie stars like Gary Oldman. However, there are
a set of guiding principles that guide the making of all movies, regardless of budget or size. The moment you sacrifice integrity,
that’s the moment you make a bad film."

Q: What's the percentage of the film devoted to RoboCop's creation?

A: Maybe 30%.  You'll see and understand how RoboCop is made from the inside.  The idea is, you try to keep the man so he's an
accountable robot.  His brain still have memories, emotions, all of the human part.  The body is robot..


Q: We've seen photos of RoboCop and he has a human hand..

A: ecause in a sense, the corporation has to sell the idea that this robot is still a man and can be accountable.  How do I greet
you as a man?  You shake his right hand.  There's a marketing reason for it [in the world].  There's also a whole commentary on
marketing.  When they're building RoboCop, they're thinking like they would sell a computer from Apple or something.  They run
focus groups to find out how he looks.


Q; One final question – what do you think is the future of law enforcement?

A: "Personally, I think it’s going to be all automated, like in the movie. But it’s always dangerous to try and predict the future!"