Summary

• A remake of the film adaptation of Isaac Asimov's I, Robot is necessary to capture the intricacies of his original story.
• Changing the format to an anthology series would better suit I, Robot, allowing each story and character to be explored in depth.
• The success of Apple's Foundation series proves that a faithful adaptation of I, Robot is possible and opens the door for potential crossovers within Asimov's shared universe.

Isaac Asimov is one of the most prolific science-fiction authors of all time, and his work has been turned into TV shows and movies — but one of his film adaptations is overdue for a remake as a TV series. Although Asimov's best adaptations are faithful to their source material, others are less true to his writing and less successful as a result. Some projects transfer Asimov's stories to the screen with the utmost respect, whereas others completely rework them.

There is one Asimov adaptation, in particular, that fails to capture the intricacies of the story it's based on. The project is overdue for a remake, and Hollywood should revisit it with a greater eye to detail than the last attempt. The film in question ignores Asimov's rich world-building, but a TV remake could rectify this error. If done well, it could even kick off an entire universe of Asimov's stories.

Will Smith's I, Robot (2004) Needs A Remake

It Ignored A Lot Of Isaac Asimov's Book

Although I, Robot is based on an Asimov novel, it only uses the general premise of the author's work. Although a handful of character names and Asimov's Three Laws of Robotics carry over into the movie, that is where the similarities end. The movie features a story that's unrecognizable to fans of the book, with even the main character, Del Spooner (Will Smith), being unique to the film. The film adaptation of I, Robot takes on a traditional Hollywood narrative, with all the hallmarks of a science-fiction blockbuster.

Although this was likely a choice made to maximize the movie's commercial appeal, it came at the expense of the original structure and intent of Asimov's work. As with other Asimov adaptations, I, Robot features his three laws. However, it uses them as a predictable plot device, whereas the novel explores these rules in detail, as well as how they interact with one another in various scenarios. Remaking I, Robot with this in mind would allow for a more effective display of the complexities of Isaac Asimov's Three Laws of Robotics.

Asimov's Three Laws of Robotics also appear in Robin Williams' Bicentennial Man (1999).

An Anthology Series Would Suit I, Robot Perfectly

A Format Change Is Needed

Despite the need for a remake, producing another I, Robot movie would not be the right move. Asimov's original iteration takes the form of a collection of short stories. Although the stories do interact with one another, they also work as standalone narratives. This is why I, Robot should be developed as a sci-fi anthology series. Netflix has had success with sci-fi storytelling in this format, with shows like Love, Death & Robots both working well.

Each episode of an I, Robot anthology series could focus on a particular story or character from the source material. The nature of the format allows each tale to get ample screen time rather than trying to fit all the details into one motion picture. Characters from the 2004 movie, such as Dr. Calvin (Bridget Moynahan) and Dr. Lanning (James Cromwell), are taken from the book but are vastly different compared with their original versions. Those familiar with the original I, Robot film would recognize these names when watching the series but would be afforded the opportunity to witness more faithful renditions.

Foundation Shows An I, Robot Show Can Work

Apple's Foundation faithfully recreates another one of Asimov's stories, and it does so in the format of a television show. Although certain Foundation book changes were made during the adaptation process, the heart of the story remains intact. Giving the I, Robot novel the same treatment would mean a more accurate on-screen rendering. A reboot of the I, Robot franchise also makes a crossover with Foundation possible. Many of Asimov's books take place in a shared universe, and this includes I, Robot and the Foundation series. Although I, Robot is set long before the events of Foundation, certain characters possess the ability to endure the millennia that separate them.

The Three Laws of Robotics have already been referenced in Foundation, so it's conceivable that the events of the I, Robot novel have already occurred in the world of the show. Depending on how far into Foundation's past an I, Robot anthology would be set, the door could be open for a cameo from Lady Demerzel (Laura Birn), showing her life before her service to Empire. Not taking this opportunity to add I, Robot to the Foundation universe would be a missed opportunity.