Hugh Jackman's Real Steel being prepped for a sequel

Hugh Jackman's boxing-robots movie Real Steel isn't released until October, but Dreamworks are already moving forward with sequel plans, according to a report by Deadline.

The film is currently a bit of an unknown quantity, based on a Richard Matheson ( I Am Legend ) short story, and seemingly inspired by the Rock 'em Sock 'em Robots toyline.

That hasn't deterred DreamWorks, who have apparently been pleased by the reception the film has received at conventions and internal screenings.

The studio have set writer John Gatins to work on the sequel, and they'll also be hoping to lock in the star and director for another outing.

Real Steel stars Jackman as a boxing promoter who trains up one of these new-fangled pugilist machines. Shawn Levy directs, and while his back catalogue doesn't inspire a huge amount of faith ( Night at the Museum , Date Night ) he does seem to know how to pack in the crowds.

Perhaps the plot, with Jackman's character using the medium of robot boxing to reconnect with his son and estranged wife ( Lost 's Evangeline Lilly), will be able to find the human heart that's so lacking in the Transformers movies.

The trailer showcased some mightily-impressive special effects, but it still remains to be seen if Levy can get us caring about a robots in the ring.

Real Steel hits cinemas on 7 October 2011.

Matt Maytum
Editor, Total Film

I'm the Editor at Total Film magazine, overseeing the running of the mag, and generally obsessing over all things Nolan, Kubrick and Pixar. Over the past decade I've worked in various roles for TF online and in print, including at GamesRadar+, and you can often hear me nattering on the Inside Total Film podcast. Bucket-list-ticking career highlights have included reporting from the set of Tenet and Avengers: Infinity War, as well as covering Comic-Con, TIFF and the Sundance Film Festival.