Richard Matheson's pension fund must be looking quite healthy these days, what with the recent I Am Legend, Richard Kelly's upcoming The Box, and versions of The Incredible Shrinking Man and Countdown in the works. Adding to the writers coffers now is Dreamworks' Real Steel, to be directed by Shawn Levy, and with Hugh Jackman in talks to star.
Real Steel is based on a Matheson story from 1956, and as previously reported, is set in a health and safety conscious future where robot boxing has replaced the real, flesh and blood alternative. Huge Ackman, if he signs up, will play the down-on-his-luck fight promoter who stumbles upon a discarded robot that seemingly never loses.
Expect a family-friendly adventure, rather than a sort of Terminator: Undisputed. Steven Spielberg and Robert Zemeckis are among the producers, and Levy is on board following Peter Berg's exit from the project. The screenplay was started by Dan Gilroy (Two For the Money), rewritten by Les Bohem (The Alamo), and is now being given the once over by John Gatins (Coach Carter). Dreamworks hope to get the cameras rolling in May.