X2 and Superman Returns co-writer Michael Dougherty is about to set foot into the arena of performance capture with ambitious sci-fi movie, Calling All Robots.
Walt Disney Pictures have teamed up with Robert Zemeckis’ company, ImageMovers to back the original movie, which will see Dougherty return to his roots (he started off in animation).
Dougherty – who once complimented this Empire scribe on our taste in casual footwear, fact fans – will direct the movie, while joining forces with Breehn Burns and Simeon Wilkins to write the movie, which they conceived together. In addition, Burns and Wilkins, with whom Dougherty worked on his yet-to-be-released directorial debut, Trick’r’Treat, will serve as artists and visual designers on the movie.
Robert Zemeckis, Steve Starkey and Jack Rapke – all of ImageMovers – will produce, firmly cementing that company’s commitment to performance capture after last year’s Beowulf. Zemeckis is currently working on A Christmas Carol, starring Jim Carrey.
Plot details of Calling All Robots are so far thin on the ground, but Dougherty told Variety that the movie was inspired by the trio’s love of Godzilla. "I grew up watching Godzilla movies. This film is very much rooted in those movies."
So, expect giant robots. Expect crushed cities. Expect something epic… around 2010 or 2011, we’re saying. As ever, we’ll bring you more the instant we get it.