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Call us skeptics, cynics, whatever, but we're far more interested in the rumors circling MGM's RoboCop reboot than anything in the film itself. A few weeks ago we checked out whispers that director Darren Aronofsky was at the top of the short list to helm the film, which has a 2010 release date; his reps denied it ("But Darren's flattered!" we were assured), but alas, the chatter persists, with yet another report circulating this week that the studio is close to signing Aronofsky for the project — which, as if it's any consolation, is reportedly a sequel, not an updating.

But at least we have some more local laying-waste to look forward to, as opposed to, you know, Detroit:

Here's the logline: Present day Los Angeles, 20 years afterthe termination of the RoboCop program, the city decides to reinstate the program. If this all happens, I'd love to introduce Aronofsky to The Dark Knight, where he can see how to do it right...

Of course, Aronofsky was the one Warners passed over in favor of Christopher Nolan's Batman Begins, leaving Aronofsky the indistinct pleasure of watching the studio dump his messy, misbegotten The Fountain in the general vicinity of the multiplex in late 2006. The filmmaker needs a boost as much as MGM itself; he's a risk, but one worth taking if they must overhaul the franchise. We figure Justin Theroux will be on the hook for a screenplay draft by the end of August.