I, Robot (film)
A detective investigates a robot's alleged murder in 2035 Chicago.
I, Robot (often stylized as i,Robot) is a 2004 American science fiction action film. Alex Proyas directed it, with a screenplay by Jeff Vintar and Akiva Goldsman. The movie borrows its title from Isaac Asimov's 1950 short-story collection and uses Asimov's Three Laws of Robotics along with some of his characters, but it is not a direct adaptation of that work. The cast includes Will Smith, Bridget Moynahan, Bruce Greenwood, James Cromwell, Chi McBride, and Alan Tudyk.
The story takes place in Chicago in the year 2035. Highly intelligent robots work in public service roles worldwide, following the Three Laws to protect humans. Detective Del Spooner (Smith) looks into what appears to be the suicide of U.S. Robotics founder Alfred Lanning (Cromwell). Spooner suspects that a human-like robot named Sonny (Tudyk) killed him.
20th Century Fox released I, Robot in the United States on July 16, 2004. The production cost between $105 million and $120 million, and it earned $353.1 million globally. Critics gave it mixed reviews, praising the visual effects and performances but criticizing the plot. At the 77th Academy Awards, the film received a nomination for Best Visual Effects.
Quick Facts
- Director
- Alex Proyas
- Screenplay
- Jeff Vintar / Akiva Goldsman
- Story
- Jeff Vintar
- Based On
- Premise suggested by I, Robot / (1950 book) · Isaac Asimov
- Producer
- Laurence Mark / John Davis / Topher Dow / Wyck Godfrey
- Starring
- Will Smith / Bridget Moynahan / Bruce Greenwood / James Cromwell / Chi McBride / Alan Tudyk
- Music
- Marco Beltrami
- Cinematography
- Simon Duggan
- Editing
- Richard Learoyd / Armen Minasian / William Hoy
- Studio
- Davis Entertainment / Laurence Mark Productions / Overbrook Entertainment / Mediastream IV
- Distributor
- 20th Century Fox
- Runtime
- 115 minutes
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The film is set in Chicago in 2035, where highly intelligent robots fill public service positions under the Three Laws of Robotics. Detective Del Spooner (Smith) investigates the alleged suicide of U.S. Robotics founder Alfred Lanning (Cromwell) and believes that a human-like robot called Sonny (Tudyk) murdered him. The plot involves a robopsychologist Dr. Susan Calvin (Moynahan) and the central AI VIKI, who ultimately controls the robots to protect humanity from itself.
Reader's Guide
I, Robot was released by 20th Century Fox and grossed $353.1 million worldwide against a budget of $105–120 million. It received mixed reviews from critics, with praise for the visual effects and acting but criticism of the plot. At the 77th Academy Awards, the film was nominated for Best Visual Effects. The film originally started as an original screenplay called Hardwired by Jeff Vintar, with no connection to Asimov's work, before the studio decided to use the name I, Robot and incorporate the Three Laws. Will Smith took over the lead role after Arnold Schwarzenegger's schedule delayed his participation.
Did You Know?
- The film was originally an original screenplay called Hardwired, with no connection to Isaac Asimov's Robot series.
- Arnold Schwarzenegger was attached to the project for several years before Will Smith took over the role.
- Denzel Washington was offered the role of Detective Del Spooner but turned it down.
- The film was nominated for Best Visual Effects at the 77th Academy Awards.
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