We've been hearing about a potential Short Circuit remake for half a decade now. It began in 2006 when the project was first announced, continued in 2008 when it was announced that Dimension Films picked up the rights, and kept going when it was reported that Steve Carr had signed on to direct. In all that time the project has never managed to make its way out of development hell, but leave to a Hollywood studio to never let a bad idea die the death it deserves.
Deadline reports that Dimension Films is now in talks with director Tim Hill to reboot Short Circuit. Hill is best known for his work in the field of CGI/live-action hybrid films, having previously made Garfield: A Tail of Two Kitties, Alvin and the Chipmunks and, most recently, Hop. The original film centers on a robot named Johnny-5 that is built as a weapon for the military. After the robot is struck by lightening, however, it gains sentience and goes on the run. Johnny then takes shelter with a young woman (Ally Sheedy) who protects him from those that are chasing him. Dan Milano wrote the script that has been in various states of pre-production over the years, but Hill will now supervise as a new script is developed.
I know that some people are going to freak out over this news, but I refuse to. This project has had far too many stops and starts and I have to imagine at this point that everything we hear about this project is just talent rotation. Wait until set photos of the new Johnny 5 arrive online before you start wigging out.
