Hollywood Popular Artists

Aug 7th 2012, 17:10

Alex Murphy's partner in Jose Padilha's "RoboCop" remake is close to being cast, and the character could be played by... Michael Kenneth Williams?

Color us curious about this deviation from Paul Verhoeven's original movie. In that film, Nancy Allen played Murphy's partner Anne Lewis, and their non-romantic relationship provided much of the film's heart. But The Hollywood Reporter is saying that Williams' character would "play the partner to [Joel] Kinnaman's police officer Alex Murphy who is tight with Murphy's family," making it the biggest change from the reboot's source material.

That means it will likely be Abbie Cornish's role as Murphy's wife that will be the main female character in the movie. Presumably she'll be a bit more present in this film than Murphy's wife was in Verhoeven's take. Recently cast Jennifer Ehle could also get the honor, though we don't know much about her character "Liz Kline."

Still, Michael Kenneth Williams would be a great addition to the "RoboCop" cast. "The Wire" star has made quite a name for himself over the past few years thanks to recurring roles in shows like "Boardwalk Empire" and "Community." He's currently filming "Twelve Years a Slave" opposite Michael Fassbender and Brad Pitt.

Williams would join a cast that already includes some of the best stars in the business. Currently signed on are Kinnaman, Cornish, Gary Oldman, Samuel L. Jackson, Jay Baruchel, Jackie Earle Haley and Hugh Laurie. Laurie will be playing the film's villain.

"RoboCop" follows a Detroit police officer named Alex Murphy who is killed while trying to fend off some local criminals. He is given a second lease on life by OmniCorp, and is resurrected as a mostly-robotic crime fighting machine. Oldman will play the scientist who created RoboCop, Laurie is the CEO of OmniCorp, Cornish is Murphy's wife (who was only seen in flashbacks in the original "RoboCop") and Jackson will play a charismatic media mogul. "RoboCop" is slated for a summer 2013 release date.

What do you think of Murphy's partner now being a man instead of a woman? Do you think Williams is a good addition to the cast? Tell us in the comments section below or on Twitter!

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