RoboCop (franchise)
Overview
The RoboCop franchise is a series of American cyberpunk action films and related media centered around the character RoboCop, a cybernetically enhanced police officer. The franchise began with the film RoboCop released in 1987, directed by Paul Verhoeven. The original film was successful both critically and commercially, leading to two sequels, RoboCop 2 and RoboCop 3, released in 1990 and 1993 respectively.
Concept and Creation
The concept of RoboCop originated from a script written by Edward Neumeier and Michael Miner. The script was initially titled SuperCop, with the idea of a police officer being transformed into a powerful law enforcement cyborg after a fatal incident. The script was later revised and renamed to RoboCop. The character of RoboCop was designed by Rob Bottin, a special make-up effects creator known for his work in other science fiction and horror films.
Films
RoboCop (1987)
The first film in the franchise, RoboCop, was released in 1987. The film follows Alex Murphy, a police officer in a dystopian Detroit who is brutally murdered and subsequently revived by the megacorporation Omni Consumer Products (OCP) as the cyborg law enforcer RoboCop. The film was praised for its blend of science fiction, action, and social commentary, and was a box office success.
RoboCop 2 (1990)
The second film, RoboCop 2, was released in 1990. The film was directed by Irvin Kershner and written by Frank Miller and Walon Green. In this sequel, RoboCop battles against a new cyborg created by OCP, known as RoboCop 2.
RoboCop 3 (1993)
The third film, RoboCop 3, was released in 1993. The film was directed by Fred Dekker and written by Frank Miller and Fred Dekker. In this film, RoboCop joins a resistance group to fight against OCP's plan to evict residents from their homes to build a new city.
Television Series
The franchise also expanded into television with two series, RoboCop: The Series and RoboCop: Prime Directives. Both series continued the story of RoboCop and his fight against crime in Detroit.
Video Games
Several video games based on the RoboCop franchise have been released across various platforms, including arcade games, console games, and mobile games. These games generally follow the storyline of the films, with players controlling RoboCop to fight against various enemies.
Impact and Legacy
The RoboCop franchise has had a significant impact on popular culture, particularly in the science fiction and action genres. The character of RoboCop has become an iconic figure in cinema, and the original film is often cited as a classic of the cyberpunk genre.