The "Judge Dredd" comics are sort of a well-kept cult secret by our friends in the United Kingdom. Published under the "2000 AD" serial comic, Judge Joseph Dredd is best known to U.S. audiences for Slyvester Stallone's cringe-worty portrayal of a "law"-abiding walking tank that is literally judge, jury and frequent executioner.
From a script by Alex Garland, who also wrote 28 Days Later, The Beach and Never Let Me Go adaptation, Pete Travis (Vantage Point) was supposed to bring a gritter and more realistic take on Dredd compared to Stallone's one-liners and comic relief from Rob Schneider when Armand Asante wasn't chewing the scenery as Judge Rico. But the film's been in a murky state, since it was rumored last October Travis was removed and Garland inserted as director, which was refuted by a statement co-released from Garland and Travis saying, "During all stages of the filmmaking, Dredd has been a collaboration between a number of dedicated creative parties."
Regardless, the release date for September 21st has been confirmed for nearly a year and no trailer, nor actual plot has been confirmed till now. Which was maybe for the best, because as generic as it sounds, The Raid recently did the whole "battle through multiple floors" plot incredibly well. The chances Dredd and Anderson will have a 2-on-1 battle that ends with a guy being stabbed with a flourescent light bulb is pretty small, but we could be surprised.
Dredd will be released in regular format, 3D and Real 3D.
"The future America is an irradiated waste land. On its East Coast, running from Boston to Washington DC, lies Mega City One- a vast, violent metropolis where criminals rule the chaotic streets. The only force of order lies with the urban cops called "Judges" who possess the combined powers of judge, jury and instant executioner. Known and feared throughout the city, Dredd (Karl Urban) is the ultimate Judge, challenged with ridding the city of its latest scourge - a dangerous drug epidemic that has users of "Slo-Mo" experiencing reality at a fraction of its normal speed.
During a routine day on the job, Dredd is assigned to train and evaluate Cassandra Anderson (Olivia Thirlby), a rookie with powerful psychic abilities thanks to a genetic mutation. A heinous crime calls them to a neighborhood where fellow Judges rarely dare to venture- a 200 story vertical slum controlled by prostitute turned drug lord Ma-Ma (Lena Headey) and her ruthless clan. When they capture one of the clan's inner circle, Ma-Ma overtakes the compound's control center and wages a dirty, vicious war against the Judges that proves she will stop at nothing to protect her empire. With the body count climbing and no way out, Dredd and Anderson must confront the odds and engage in the relentless battle for their survival".
