Michael Keaton ropes 'RoboCop' role

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LOS ANGELES, Aug. 30 (UPI) -- Michael Keaton has signed on for a supporting role in the Hollywood remake of the science-fiction classic "RoboCop," director Jose Padilha announced.

The MGM and Columbia Pictures production will also star Joel Kinnaman, Gary Oldman and Samuel L. Jackson.

"Michael is the final addition to the amazing cast we have assembled for this film, and it is so great to have the last puzzle piece in place," Padilha said in a statement. "It is thrilling that everything has come together to bring this innovative new vision of 'RoboCop' to life. We've got a great script, a great cast, some killer ED-209s, and I can't wait to get Alex Murphy back on the streets."

The Hollywood Reporter said former "House" star Hugh Laurie had been in talks to play the evil boss of Omnicorp -- the company that turns dying Detroit police officer Alex Murphy into the cyborg RoboCop -- but he passed on the role last week, paving the way for Keaton's hiring.

Keaton's films include "Mr. Mom," "Gung Ho," "Johnny Dangerously," "Batman," "Beetlejuice," "Clean and Sober," "The Paper," "Speechless" and "The Other Guys."

"RoboCop" was a critical and box-office success in 1987. Peter Weller played the title character in the original film and a sequel. Kinnaman will play the part in the remake.