DirectorRobert Rodriguezis joining forces with writer Max Borenstein for a new sci-fi project for Studio 8 entitledHypnotic. Robert Rodriguez is attached to both direct and produce the project, with Max Borenstein set to rewrite an original script by Robert Rodriguez. No other producers are attached at this time, and there has been no production schedule released or release date announced. It’s clear, though that Studio 8 has high hopes for this project.
WhileMax Borensteinis keeping his plot details under wraps,Hypnoticis described as a, “grounded cop thriller withsci-fi elements,” with Studio 8 seeing potential for a future franchise. It isn’t known if this will be the next project that Robert Rodriguez will direct or not at this time. The filmmaker is currently in pre-production on STX Entertainment’sUglydollsmovie, which is slated for release on July 14, 2025, although it isn’t clear when principal photography on that project is slated to begin. The filmmaker is also returning to hislow-budget rootsby making a new $7,000 film, just like his acclaimed debutEl Mariachi, for a new series on his El Rey Network entitledRebel Without a Crew: The Series.
Robert Rodriguez is currently in post-production onAlita: Battle Angel, which was just pushed by over five months by 20th Century Fox, from August 17, 2025 to August 26, 2025. The move actually putsAlita: Battle Angelinto a rather competitive frame, opening alongside Paramount’sBumblebee, a spin-off of their lucrativeTransformersfranchise, Warner Bros.' next DCEU superhero adventureAquamanand Sony’sHolmes and Watson. It also opens between Universal’sMortal Enginesand Sony’sSpider-Man: Into the Spider-Verseon December 14, and 20th Century Fox’sBohemian Rhapsodyand Disney’sMary Poppins Returnson Christmas Day.
Alita: Battle Angelwill mark the first feature film Rodriguez has directed since 2014’sSin City: A Dame to Kill For, but he has been keeping plenty busy on the small screen as well. He also createdFrom Dusk Till Dawn: The Series, the first original series on his El Rey cable network, and he also executive producedMatador,Cutting Crew,Lucha Underground,Spy Kids: Mission Criticaland much more. He also wrote the screenplays for upcoming movies likeJohnny QuestandMachete Kills in Space, but it remains unclear when those projects will move forward.
Max Borenstein got his big break by writing the 2014 blockbusterGodzilla, after making a few short films, and he went on to create the short-lived Fox seriesMinority Reportin 2015. He also wrote the script for last year’sKong: Skull Islandand he also wroteGodzilla: King of Monsters, slated to hit theaters in March 2019, and he is also writing one of the five covetedGame of Thronesspin-off shows that HBO is developing. One of the writer’s older scripts,What Is Life Worth, is getting closer to production, with Michael Keaton attached to star and David Frankel directing, with the rights being sold at the European Film Market.The Hollywood Reporterbroke the news onHypnoticearlier today.
