Exclusive: Joel Kinnaman Says 'Robocop' Will Be Serious & Gritty But Also Contain A Satirical Edge

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by Jen Vineyard
July 12, 2012 10:03 AM
4 Comments

Joel Kinnaman can shoot you from 135 yards now -- and possibly more on a good day. Not that he would use his newfound skills for that purpose, but the actor has been training with handguns for the "RoboCop" reboot, which requires a lot more action skills and gunplay than his role as a Seattle cop on "The Killing" ever did. "We can put some action hero shit in there for Holder now!" he laughed with glee about his new abilities.

Kinnaman told The Playlist while doing the press rounds for the American release of "Easy Money" that he's been taking lessons with "Uncle Scotty" Reitz, the lead firearms and tactics instructor at International Tactical. "Uncle Scotty spent 30 years in the LAPD, and was in the Metro Division and SWAT," Kinnaman enthused. "He's written books on gunfighting," including "The Art of Modern Gunfighting," "so he's the leading expert. I'm in the right hands. I'm learning a bunch of cool stuff, and I would have been happy to save up money to pay for this."

Kinnaman's been learning to hit torso-sized paper and steel targets, and is very proud that the other day, "I actually hit a 190-yard shot on film." The actor is about to phase into higher level physical conditioning, tactical, and Navy SEAL-type training, because "I would like to be able to do as many of my own stunts where I can," he said. "Alex Murphy has one level of skill, but RoboCop handles situations differently, so I need to do both."

Prior to training these few weeks, Kinnaman thought he would have to bulk up as well, but that turned out not to be the case. "I can't gain that much weight, because they already took measurements for the suit," he revealed. "It would be very snug if I gained too much. I mean, I gained a bit because I'm getting strong and working on balance, and doing boxing and martial arts, but it's more about finding a center where I can be in control of my body and open up my movement. So I need to be in very good shape for that."

Although his concentration right now is on the physical side of the action film, Kinnaman said this "RoboCop" -- which will also feature Hugh Laurie, Gary Oldman, Samuel L. Jackson, and Abbie Cornish -- will be "intelligent and substantial."

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More: Interviews, Joel Kinnaman, RoboCop, The Killing, Easy Money

4 Comments

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Zinjo | July 12, 2012 5:51 PMReply

Well let's hope it can stand alone as it's own film like the new Spiderman has. I am skeptical it can be done, but I'll give it a look. I am inclined to expect yet another empty Hollywood film full of sound and fury signifying NOTHING!
Evilnik | July 12, 2012 3:56 PMReply

Jose Padilha's Elite Squad/Trope De Elite duology - If you haven't seen these gut wrenching-ball punching-nerve wracking (you get the point), you have no idea.
Christie | July 12, 2012 10:58 AMReply

Not all Americans have the attention span of axgnat. I personally loved the two season storyline. But Joel is right. Let's delve more ino what makes Holder & Linden tick. We learned a lot about them in the episode when Jack was missing. That was one of my favorites. That would work for me.
Laura | July 12, 2012 10:08 AMReply

Another story on another (in your very own words) remake no one asked for?