Is Karl Urban about to assume the role of judge, jury, and executioner once more?
The Thor: Ragnarok actor appeared at last weekend’s Star Trek Las Vegas Convention (via ComicBook.com), and fielded questions about the iconic sci-fi series, Discovery, and the current status of Star Trek 4.
But when the conversation inevitably veered toward Dredd and, in particular, the upcoming TV revival in the works at IM Global and Rebellion, Urban confirmed that he’s already entered negotiations about the possibility of joining the cast. Known simply as Judge Dredd: Mega-City One, the live-action series promises a fresher take on John Wagner and Carlos Ezquerra’s square-jawed law enforcer, as he attempts to police an overcrowded metropolis teeming with 400 million potential criminals.
It’s a tantalizing pitch, so it’s no wonder longtime Dredd fans have been banging the drum for Karl Urban to appear. Granted, the actor was quick to stress that nothing is set in stone just yet, but the early signs appear to be positive.
I am in discussions with them about that. I told them that if they write the material and give Dredd something to do and give him a function, I will be there. I would love to.
Speaking in a previous interview, series producer Brian Jenkins all but confirmed that a Karl Urban cameo would happen, pending some final negotiations between IM Global and the actor himself.
We have had many conversations prior to this, about all sorts of things. He’s also very busy, a full-time professional actor. So we’re going to have some long and complicated conversations I would imagine, and we’ll see where we go. It’s too early to tell yet, but if we can use him and he’s available to us, then I think that would be absolutely brilliant. There’s always a possibility he will be busy, or that his schedule for other movies won’t allow- Basically, we don’t know at this stage.
Set to blend “macabre with the insane,” Judge Dredd: Mega-City One is in development at IM Global and Rebellion and is said to be eyeing a premiere in the early stages of 2019.