Two buzzed-about sci-fi projects coming soon from Sony/Columbia - the RoboCop remake/reboot and Elysium from filmmaker Neil Blomkamp (District 9) - have each been pushed back several months from their previously-set release dates.

In addition, the studios have bumped up the 3D animated followup to Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, which appears to have abandoned its original title Cloudy 2: Revenge of the Leftovers (in favor of the more generic, but easily identified, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2).

Acclaimed Brazilian filmmaker José Padilha (Elite Squad) is overseeing RoboCop's makeover for the 21st century, with a cast populated by rising stars Joel Kinnaman (The Killing, Safe House) and Abbie Cornish (Sucker Punch, Seven Psychopaths) - as well as big-name players like Gary Oldman and Samuel L. Jackson and lauded character actors such as Jackie Earle Haley (Watchmen), Michael Kenneth Williams (Boardwalk Empire), Jennifer Ehle (Contagion), and Michael Keaton. Filming is ongoing on the remake, with leaked set photos revealing the titular character's 'updated' cybernetic design.

Matt Damon wields ChemRail rifle in Elysium

Sony/Columbia has pulled RoboCop from next year's competitive summer season, in favor of a release beginning on February 7th, 2014 (where it will open against the Need for Speed video game adaptation starring Aaron Paul). The move might have been motivated by concerns over the viability of the RoboCop brand name, seeing how the property has traditionally had cult (rather than mainstream) appeal. Then again, negative buzz in response to an early script draft and claims of creative control issues might've also contributed to the decision.

Elysium, on the other hand, is an anticipated sci-fi project (without the remake stigma) that boasts an impressive cast lineup featuring Matt Damon, Jodie Foster, Sharlto Copley (District 9), and Alice Braga (Predators). Hence, studio heads have decided Blomkamp's sophomore directorial effort is a better (re: more bankable) fit for RoboCop's original August 9th launch date next year. The film will now open against the comedy We're the Millers, rather than Oldboy director Park Chan-wook's Stoker on March 1st.

Cloudy 2 Plot Casting Details

Lastly, since RoboCop has taken Cloudy 2's prior date, the latter has been moved forward to a September 27th, 2013 release date. The computer-animated toon will serve as counter-programming to a pair of action-thrillers, in the forms of Runner Runner (with Justin Timberlake) and The Tomb, teaming Arnold Schwarzenegger with Sylvester Stallone. Moreover, Sony/Columbia is looking to replicate the box office success of its similar buoyant 3D animated flick Hotel Transylvania (which opened on September 28th last month).

So, in summation: Elysium will release on August 9th, 2013, followed by Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 on September 27th. RoboCop hits theaters the year thereafter on February 7th.

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Source: Box Office Mojo