How a failed adaptation attempt birthed a high-grossing animated world of mechanical citizens
In short: Before becoming a commercial success, the 2005 film Robots began as a pivot after a failed attempt to adapt a children's book. Director Chris Wedge and author William Joyce abandoned their initial project in 2000, choosing instead to build an entirely original story set in a city populated by machines.
The production journey of Robots started in 2000 when Chris Wedge and William Joyce failed to secure support for an adaptation of the book Santa Calls. By 2001, they successfully pitched an original concept to executive producer Chris Meledandri, leading to full-scale production in 2002. The film, which features a star-studded voice cast including Ewan McGregor and Robin Williams, premiered in March 2005 at the Mann Village Theatre.
Set in a vibrant mechanical society, the narrative follows Rodney Copperbottom, an ambitious inventor from Rivet Town who travels to Robot City to meet his idol, Bigweld. He soon uncovers a sinister scheme by the new CEO, Phineas T. Ratchet, and his mother, Madame Gasket, to replace older, struggling robots with expensive upgrades. Rodney joins forces with a group of outmoded robots to thwart this plan and restore Bigweld's original mission of providing spare parts to those in need.
Upon its release, the film was a significant financial success, earning over $260 million globally. It was notable for being the first 20th Century Fox production to debut simultaneously on conventional screens and in the IMAX format. While critics praised the animation and humor, the story was occasionally noted for its predictable structure. Despite discussions regarding a potential sequel, the studio ultimately prioritized its flagship Ice Age franchise, leaving the story of Rodney Copperbottom as a standalone feature.
The film also became a cultural footnote for its connection to the Star Wars franchise. It was the first movie to showcase the promotional footage for Revenge of the Sith, drawing in fans eager to see the preview and hear the voice of Ewan McGregor, who portrayed the film's protagonist while also starring as Obi-Wan Kenobi in the prequel trilogy.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Robots (2005 film)
- Also: Wikidata — Robots · CC0
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