Merrick here...

There's recently been a lot of talk that MGM's resurrection of the ROBOCOP franchise would be a continuation of previous films.

In an interview with MTV, Producer Producer Brad Fischer and Co-producer Mike Medavoy say this is not the case...likening the Darren Aronofsky directed project to BATMAN BEGINS.

Asked where in the series the fourth film would fall, whether it would come after the first, second or third films in the series' internal universe, Fischer and Medavoy were adamant that it would stand on its own, apart from the character's earlier incarnations.

"None of [the earlier films are] going to be canonical, as a matter of fact," Fischer revealed. "I wouldn't say it's a direct sequel."

"Definitely not a sequel," Medavoy added, saying he preferred the term "reimagining."

...says THIS POST at MTV.

In a separate post on MTV's Movie Blog (HERE), Medavoy indicates the plan at this time is to generate an 'R' rated film - which will presumably encapsulate the ultra-violent excess advanced by earlier ROBO installments.

A little bird once told me that, in the early days of this reboot attempt, consideration was briefly given to drafting Paul Verhoeven to shepherd the franchise's transition into the new millennium. Seems The Powers That Be didn't consider him relevant enough, and felt some 'hotter' talent should be brought in..."like Len Wiseman".

So, anyone uncertain about Aronofsky's attachment to this project (I have mixed feelings about it myself) can take heart. The situation could be much more dire.