Summary
Hugh Jackman’s underrated sci-fi movie,Real Steel, becomes a global Netflix hit. Directed by Shawn Levy, with a script written by the Oscar-nominated John Gatins (Flight), the 2011 sci-fi sports film follows a former boxer who, in a futuristic world where robots have replaced human boxers, reconnects with his estranged son by building and training a robot boxer. Other than Jackman in the lead role, the cast also includes Dakota Goyo, Evangeline Lilly, Anthony Mackie, Olga Fonda, Karl Yune, Kevin Durand, Hope Davis, and James Rebhorn.
Now, over a decade later, Jackman’s underrated sci-fi film is now a global hit onNetflix. For the week of June 3-9,Real Steelranked 8th on Netflix’s Global Top 10 chart with 3.3 million viewsand 6.9 million hours viewed. In November 2023,Real Steelappeared on Netflix’s Top 10 chart in the United States, though this past week was the sci-fi film’s first appearance in the Global Top 10, where it placed aboveThe Lego Movieand the documentaryHow to Rob a Bank. Check out the full Global Top 10 chart below:
Views (in millions)
10.8
8.9
4.8
4.1
3.6
Mother of the Bride
3.5
3.4
3.3
3.2
How to Rob a Bank
3.1
Real Steelis no longer streaming on Netflix in the United States, though it is available to rent or buy on digital platforms.
Why Real Steel Is Underrated
It’s Better Than Its Silly Premise Suggests.
WithReal Steelbecoming a global Netflix hit, perhaps this could provide the boost required to fast-track the TV show, or perhaps finally see a sequel greenlit.
Ever since its release in 2011,Real Steelhas been underrated and underappreciated. This is despite the sci-fi film receiving positive reactions from both critics and audiences, withReal Steelreviewssaying that, despite its silly premise, the film is skillfully crafted and delivers gripping action alongside sufficient character development. The movie was also a box office success, making nearly $300 million and even receiving an Academy Award nomination for Best Achievement in Visual Effects.
At first glance,Real Steelmight seem like another generic robot fighting movie or even a ripoff of Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots when, in fact, the sci-fi film is based on the 1956 short story “Steel” by Richard Matheson that previously served as inspiration for anepisode ofThe Twilight Zone. In turn, many viewers have beensurprised byReal Steel’s quality storytelling, character development, and emotional depth. Overall, it exceeds the expectations set by its seemingly silly premise.
60%
73%
Since its release in 2011, there has been much discussion aboutReal Steel 2, which has yet to come to fruition. In January 2022, it was announced thataReal SteelTV show is in development at Disney+ with Levy producing. However, like the sequel, progress seems to have stalled on that project. WithReal Steelbecoming a global Netflix hit, perhaps this could provide the boost required to fast-track the TV show or finally see a sequel greenlit.
What’s The Status Of The Real Steel Follow-Ups?
Will The Sequel Or Disney+ Show Ever Happen?
However, despite several attempts by different writers to develop satisfactory scripts, none of the drafts ever simultaneously convinced Levy, Jackman, or producer Steven Spielberg that the story was compelling enough to justify making a sequel.
After some initial discussion around the time of its release in 2011, sequel talks really kicked up in 2016 when director Shawn Levy said thatReal Steel 2was still in the early stages of development and shared some of his story ideas. The director revealed they actually started developing a sequel six months before the movie was released due to positive test screenings. However,the biggest challenge, according to Levy, is coming “up with a sequel that doesn’t feel like a re-hash of the first movie.”
Nevertheless, Levy shared his story ideas for a sequel, saying that he would love to explore the origins and design of the robot Atom, focusing specifically on how he was created and what aspects of his design might have contributed to his self-awareness and intelligence. However, despite several attempts by different writers to develop satisfactory scripts,none of the drafts ever simultaneously convinced Levy, Jackman, orproducer Steven Spielbergthat the story was compelling enough to justify making a sequel.
Why Real Steel 2 Never Happened
Despite being a commercial success in 2011 with a loaded cast, Shawn Levy explained why the Hugh Jackman-led Real Steel never got a sequel.
Sequels talks died down for several years, though they kicked up again in 2021 when Levy said he wanted to reunite Jackman and Ryan Reynolds (followingX-Men Origins: Wolverine) in aReal Steelsequel. However, that was beforeLevy directed Jackman and Reynolds onDeadpool & Wolverine. It’s unclear if the Marvel Cinematic Universe movie fulfilled Levy’s urge to reunite Jackman and Reynolds, or if he remains interested in making aReal Steelsequel with the two stars.
AReal Steelshow was announced for Disney+ in 2022 and with Levy attached as a producer, the project may replace the long-gestating sequel as the definitive follow-up to the 2011 film. Despite stalling for several years, the Disney+ show made some progress in April 2024 by hiring a writing team, whose names have not yet been revealed. Evidenced by its continued success on Netflix,Real Steelremains as popular as ever, but in terms of a potential follow-up to the film, the Disney+ show seems like the much surer bet at the moment given its recent progress.
Real Steel
Cast
Based on a short story that also served as inspiration for a Twilight Zone episode, Real Steel imagines a world in which the sport of boxing has been taken over by fighting robots. Former boxer Charlie builds a boxing robot with his son Max, in an attempt to regain glory in his sport.
