Liquid-Love.de | Actionfreunde.de

Action director Peter Berg, who had been talking with DreamWorks about taking on the studio's futuristic robot boxing movie "Real Steel," has moved on, opening up the gig to Shawn Levy.

Levy is known for directing and producing broad, hit comedies such as the two "Night at the Museum" movies, which have grossed nearly $1 billion in worldwide boxoffice. But the "Steel" story line takes place in a near future where human boxing has been outlawed, and heavy, humanoid robots slug it out in the ring instead. Into this world step a father and his estranged teenage son, who train an extraordinary fighter.

Levy's participation could mean a change in tone for the adventure project and/or a stretching of the creative muscles for the director, who has signed on with DreamWorks to take a swing at it.

"I'm thrilled to be working with Shawn on this project," DreamWorks CEO and co-chair Stacey Snider said. "He's a master of combining heart and human stories with fantastic visuals. I'm sure that in his capable hands, 'Real Steel' will be a film that touches and excites all audiences."

John Gatins ("Dreamer") is writing the most recent draft of the "Real Steel" screenplay.

Angry Films' Don Murphy and Susan Montford are producing. Steven Spielberg will exec produce along with ImageMovers' Robert Zemeckis, Steve Starkey and Jack Rapke. Levy also will serve in a producing capacity.