‘Robocop’ remake screenplay leaks, doesn’t sound promising

MGM's remake of the 1987 sci-fi action film "Robocop" may have a lot going for it, such as "Elite Squad" director José Padilha and a bang up cast that includes the likes of Joel Kinnaman ("The Killing"), Gary Oldman ("The Dark Knight Rises"), Samuel L. Jackson (everything), Jay Baruchel ("Goon"), and Hugh Laurie ("House").

But one thing it may be lacking is a solid screenplay.

See also: Joel Kinnaman cast as 'Robocop'

Hemming closely to the story of the original movie, the dystopian science fiction film will follow Alex Murphy (Kinnaman), a Detroit police officer working in a crime-ridden near future. Murphy is gunned down in the line of duty and resurrected as a cyborg crime fighter by Omnicorp, a corrupt weapons manufacturer who attempt to use Robocop for their own sinister ends. Granted, it all sounds very cheesy on paper, but in addition to being an extremely solid action movie, Verhoeven's original film was dripping with satire about the gun-crazy American way of life.

Will Padilha's remake hit the same satirical notes as Verhoeven's movie? It's still too early to tell, but HitFix editor and former Ain't It Cool News reviewer Drew McWeeny apparently got his hands on Joshua Zetumer and Nick Schenk's screenplay for the Robo-remake, and it doesn't sound very promising. McWeeny tweeted some choice reactions to the script as he read it.

See also: Hugh Laurie signs on for juicy 'Robocop' role

Here are a few of the highlights:

McWeeny praises one of the "best" lines in the script:

A few more gems:

Al Qaeda? That kind of commentary just seems unnecessary. And how about all that needless fan service to the original movie? "Part man, part machine, all cop." "I'd buy that for a dollar!" etc. Paying homage to a movie you are remaking is like pointing out to the audience how inferior your own film is. "Remember the original 'Robocop'? Yeah? Well, this isn't it."

See also: Jay Baruchel lined up for 'Robocop' role?

Poor Paul Verhoeven. First "Total Recall," and now "Robocop?" It's sad to see all of the Dutch director's classic movies rehashed into subpar remakes. You leave "Showgirls" alone, Hollywood!

Though Padilha's film has some serious talent involved, without a good script, all the acting chops in the world won't save "Robocop." Here's hoping that the version McWeeny read is an early draft that has since gone through some major revisions.

"Robocop" is slated for release in August 2013.

Then they show a focus group scene where criminals laugh at the design. "He looks like a toy from the '80s!" So they redesign him to look "meaner" as Robocop 2.0, who passes focus group approval. So they not only make sure to include the original design, they also point out it's dated and stupid. *facepalm*