The doctor is out: Hugh Laurie flees Robocop remake; who might replace him?

Last Updated on July 23, 2021

I’m sure not many of us are stoked about the ROBOCOP remake, especially after that review popped up labeling the screenplay a corny piece of junk. But… it cannot be denied that the flick has an awfully tantalizing cast. Joel Kinnaman, Samuel L. Jackson, Gary Oldman, Michael K. Williams (Omar!), Jackie Earle Haley, Abbie Cornish and Jay Barchel are the top names involved; pretty darned impressive. Another name attached to the Jose Padilha film was Hugh Laurie, supposedly tackling the bad guy role. As of right now, those days are behind us.

Via Variety reporter Jeff Sneider’s official Twitter page: “While he was never officially confirmed, sources telling Variety that HUGH LAURIE has ended talks to play villain in ROBOCOP.”

I am not, and have never been, a watcher of “House,” the series that made Laurie a household name here in the states, but I recognize that he’s a rather imposing screen presence, and seeing him play bad opposite ol’ Robo was undeniably intriguing…

Guess we’ll have to wait and see who ultimately signs on; hopefully another high-profile name is attracted to the project. (Deadline.com is reporting that MGM is already looking at Clive Owen for the role.)

I just want to know if they’ll be uttering the line, “Can you fly, Bobby?”

Abbie Cornish