I, Robot director Alex Proyas is currently in pre-production on an adaptation of Karel Capek’s seminal 1920 play, R.U.R.
Alex Proyas, director of such movies as The Crow, Dark City, I, Robot and more besides, is currently in pre-production on a film called R.U.R, it’s been revealed. It’s based on the 1920 play of the same name originally written in 1920, and is famous for introducing the word ‘robot’ into the sci-fi lexicon.
Proyas has written the screenplay himself, and if the brief description published by Deadline is anything to go by, it’ll be at least somewhat close to Capek’s original story. Set in a future where robots are mass-produced on an island factory called Rossum’s Universal Robots, the technology has long since spread worldwide, largely replacing human labour. The robots’ proliferation leads to much debate about their use as slave labour, and a pressure group called the League of Humanity has plans to free the robots from their servitude.
Helena, a member of the aforementioned League, is key to the plot – she’s its protagonist for the most part – will be played in the movie by Mallory Jansen, perhaps best known for her recurring role in Marvel TV series Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D. Fellow Australian Anthony LaPaglia, known for his work in Empire Records, So I Married An Axe Murderer, Annabel: Creation and Justin Kurzel’s acclaimed Nitram, will also co-star in an undisclosed role.
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R.U.R was an acclaimed success, and was performed all over the world after its debut at a Prague theatre in 1920. Interestingly, its robots are organic rather than mechanical, making them the forebears of Blade Runner’s replicants, say, rather than Robby in Forbidden Planet. But its themes – how technology changes society, and how it’s exploited by capitalism – remain relevant today, and it’s a little surprising that it hasn’t been adapted into a film before over the past 100 years.
Proyas said in a statement, “Karel Capek’s play is about man abusing technology, which is even more potent now, so I’m thrilled to be bringing this story to audiences today.”
R.U.R is currently in pre-production at Heretic Foundation, Proyas’ VFX studio and production company based in Sydney. We’ll bring you more on this as we get it.
