'Short Circuit' remake has a screenwriter

Dimension Films has a writer for its planned remake of the 1986 comedy "Short Circuit."

The original was released in 1986.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Matt Lieberman will provide the scribe for the film.

Dimension Films optioned the property in 2009 and had director Steve Carr ("Paul Blart: Mall Cop") and screenwriter Dan Milano ("Robot Chicken," "Greg the Bunny") attached. It was announced in August, however, that director Tim Hill ("Alvin and the Chipmunks," "Hop") had been brought in to revive the project.

"Dimension has had great success with the 'Spy Kids' family series which grossed over $500 million worldwide," said Bob Weinstein, co-chairman of The Weinstein Company, which is the parent company of Dimension. "We are looking for 'Short Circuit' to be our next family franchise and are excited to be working with Matt Lieberman and Tim Hill, who has had great International success with 'Hop' and 'Alvin and the Chipmunks'."

In the original, a military robot is struck by lightning, making it sentient. Johnny Five runs away and befriends a woman (Ally Sheedy), who strives to keep him safe from the pursuing military. A sequel was made two years later.

Original producer David Foster is on board the sequel to produce along with Ryan E. Heppe and John Hyde.

'Short Circuit' remake has new director

Johnny Five is alive...again...maybe.

Deadline is reporting director Tim Hill ("Alvin and the Chipmunks," "Hop") has come on board to revive Dimension Films' planned remake of the 1986 comedy "Short Circuit."

The original was released in 1986.

In the original, a military robot is struck by lightning, making it sentient. Johnny Five runs away and befriends a woman (Ally Sheedy), who strives to keep him safe from the pursuing military. A sequel was made two years later.

According to Deadline, Dimension Films optioned the property in 2009 and had director Steve Carr ("Paul Blart: Mall Cop") and screenwriter Dan Milano ("Robot Chicken," "Greg the Bunny") attached.

With no progress, Hill has been brought in to oversee the project with a new script.

Original producer David Foster is on board the sequel to produce along with Ryan E. Heppe and John Hyde.

The first film is a campy classic of the 1980s, while I believe I'm one of about a dozen or so people who also liked the sequel. To this day I can't hear Bonnie Tyler's "Hold Out for a Hero" without thinking of Johnny Five decked out for battle.