Robocop Re-Born

Robocop is jumping off the big screen, and he could be sticking around.

A week ago Detroit artist Jeff Paffendorf sent a tweet to the city’s mayor suggesting a statue of Robocop be erected in the city. The mayor tweeted back that there were no plans for a statue based on the sci-fi cop, and an internet frenzy ensued.

Now a local group of artists and entrepreneurs are running with the idea. So far they have raised more than $50,000 for the statue through Facebook and an online fund-raising site. The mayor’s office is still not convinced but a spokeswoman says they are looking into accepting and displaying a gifted Robocop statue.

The spokeswoman says the mayor understands that a lot of people care deeply about the issue. And while he respects that, the mayor is not convinced the statue would send the right message to the city. Paffendorf says even if the city doesn’t give its approval to put Robocop on city property, the project will move forward. The group of artists funding the statue will display it.

Paffendorf says a sculptor and metal artist have already been chosen to complete the job with or without the Mayor’s blessing.