‘The Killing’s Joel Kinnaman Gets ‘Robocop’ Offer

EXCLUSIVE: MGM has closed its deal with Joel Kinnaman to play the title role in Robocop, the remake that is being directed by Jose Padilha, helmer of two action packed Elite Squad films. Strike Entertainment partners Eric Newman and Marc Abraham are producing. Josh Zetumer wrote the script.

Deadline revealed that the offer had gone to Kinnaman to take the role originated by Peter Weller in the 1987 Paul Verhoeven original. Kinnaman most recently turned in a memorable performance in the Daniel Espinosa-directed Safe House opposite Denzel Washington and Ryan Reynolds. He burst on the scene in the AMC series The Killing and prior to that he starred in the Espinosa-directed Snabba Cash. Hollywood is desperately trying to find male stars that studios can build movies around. Kinnaman, who’s repped by UTA and Magnolia Entertainment’s Shelley Browning, has his ticket to the big game.