For a while it appeared that Steven Spielberg’s Robopocalypse would end up on the back burner, as the director surveyed his landscape and considered other projects. But now a new report says exiting Fox chair Tom Rothman might be coming on board to produce Spielberg’s adaptation of the best-selling futuristic book, and that two very popular leads are circling key roles.
THR is the source reporting that Anne Hathaway wants to play with Spielberg on his robots-versus-humanity blockbuster. The trade also is confirming a report we had months ago that Thor star Chris Hemsworth also wants a part in the film. Right now, discussions between Hathaway and Spielberg’s camps are in the “early stage,” though the film is maintaining its April 25, 2014 release date.
Robopocalypse is based on Daniel H. Wilson’s novel about a future where man is totally dependent on robotic beings … until the machines rise up and start fighting against us. Hathaway would play the female lead in the script. And seriously, can her career get any bigger? She’s obviously coming off of Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight Rises, where she scored rave reviews for her turn as Catwoman. She recently hosted the Oscars, and could return next year as a nominee for her turn as Fantine in Tom Hooper’s musical version of Les Miserables.
Landing stars like Hathaway and Hemsworth (who is no slouch with Thor and The Avengers to his credit) would give Spielberg an instant leg up in the pre-production on what’s bound to be a massive-budget, effects-heavy popcorn thriller. Not that he needs it. He’s Spielberg. But so far, I think those are excellent casting options, and I’m be instantly more interested in Robopocalypse if Spielberg’s able to get one or both actors to sign on the dotted line.
