http://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/sep/26/robocop-statue-detroit-kickstarter
This story has restored my faith in humanity.
RoboCop, the dystopian 80s sci-fi law-and-order film, has inspired a civic artwork in Detroit. Photograph: Cine Text/Allstar/Sportsphoto Ltd
A giant bronze statue of RoboCop is to be erected in Detroit after fans of Paul Verhoeven's iconic cyborg crimefighter raised funds for the project via Kickstarter.
The 10ft tall statue will be unveiled next summer after the project, which has the backing of original RoboCop star Peter Weller, raised $67,436 in just six days on the crowdfunding site in 2011, according to the Hollywood Reporter. It all began when a Twitter user publicly messaged Detroit's mayor, Dave Bing, to demand his favourite movie character be celebrated as one of the city's most famous exports. Bing replied: "There are not any plans to erect a statue to RoboCop. Thank you for the suggestion." But the idea quickly caught on with other users, and Facebook user John Leonard started a group called "Build a statue of RoboCop in Detroit" which further expanded interest.
- Robocop
- Production year: 1987
- Country: USA
- Cert (UK): 18
- Runtime: 102 mins
- Directors: Paul Verhoeven
- Cast: Nancy Allen, Peter Weller
The Kickstarter campaign then made the statue a reality. A majority of the funds, $25,000, came from graphic designer Pete Hottelet of San Francisco's Omni Consumer Products, a firm named after the fictional corporation that builds RoboCop in Verhoeven's cult classic.
RoboCop is likely to protect the city from a spot on Wayne State University's TechTown campus. "We think it's a good metaphor for RoboCop and the rebirth of Detroit," said project spokesman Brandon Walley in 2011.
Venus Bronze Works in Detroit will help cast the statue with help from Warren Ally Foundry and Edgewise Forge.
RoboCop's return to Detroit will be preceded by the arrival in cinemas next February of a remake from Elite Squad director José Padilha. The new version stars Joel Kinnaman, of the US version of The Killing, in the lead role. The film has been criticised for changing RoboCop's traditional steel suit for a sleek black costume, but impressive viewing figures for the recently released trailer suggest it is likely to be a hit.
This story has restored my faith in humanity.
