Real Steel didn’t win over every single critic when it hit theaters in 2011. Regardless, the film was a huge financial success, earning almost $300 million at the box office. Director Shawn Levy has long expressed interest in making a sequel. But now, it looks like he’s bringing the franchise to Disney+. Variety reports that the streaming service is developing a series adaptation of the film. Levy is currently onboard as an executive producer.
The original Real Steel was based on a 1956 short story by I Am Legend author Richard Matheson and imagined a future where human boxers are replaced by giant robots. Hugh Jackman starred as an ex-boxer who reconnects with his estranged son by fixing up an abandoned sparring bot and turning it into the sport’s new MVP. The film’s cast also included Evangeline Lilly and Anthony Mackie in supporting roles.
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Levy last discussed the possibility of a Real Steel sequel while speaking to ComicBook.com last summer. During the interview, he revealed that he wanted Ryan Reynolds (who recently starred in Levy’s Free Guy) to appear in a follow-up as well. It’s still not clear if the TV show will continue the original film’s story or feature completely new characters. But in the meantime, Levy and his fellow producers are on the lookout for a writer to bring the project to life.
Robert Zemeckis and Jack Rapke are also executive producing Real Steel via Compari Entertainment alongside Angry Films’ Susan Montford and Don Murphy and Jacqueline Levine. Levy will executive produce through his 21 Laps banner.
What are you hoping to see in a potential Real Steel TV series? Let us know in the comment section below!
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