14 Years Ago Today, A Criminally Underrated Sci-Fi Was Released (& We Still Want The Sequel)

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Movie critics aren’t always accurate, particularly when reviewing science fiction. They sometimes misunderstand the core idea of a film, or expectations are just too great. This can create a difference between what critics think and what fans enjoy, leading to a movie that does well in theaters but doesn’t receive critical acclaim – even though it might deserve it. These are the films that stick with audiences, gaining lasting love and often prompting requests for a follow-up. One such movie was released fourteen years ago today.

The film *Real Steel* came out in theaters on October 7, 2011. It was based on a short story by Richard Matheson called “Steel” and had been in the works for a long time. Shawn Levy, known for directing films like *Free Guy* and *The Adam Project*, and actor Hugh Jackman were attached to the project as director and star, respectively. Although critics weren’t overly impressed, they acknowledged Levy’s skill in blending live-action performances with computer-generated imagery. Audiences loved it, giving it an ‘A’ rating from CinemaScore and making it the number one movie during its opening weekend. The film proved so popular that people are still hoping for a sequel.

Real Steel is an Underrated Gem

In the futuristic action film *Real Steel*, a washed-up boxer named Charlie Kenton (Hugh Jackman) finds a new purpose when he reconnects with his son, Max (Dakota Goyo). With human boxing outlawed and replaced by robot fighters, Charlie and Max discover and rebuild a discarded sparring robot, hoping to compete and win. This gives Charlie a chance to reclaim his boxing glory and, more importantly, to build a relationship with his son. The film also features early performances by Evangeline Lilly and Anthony Mackie, alongside Olga Fonda, Karl Yune, Kevin Durand, Hope Davis, and James Rebhorn.

Despite not being initially praised by critics, *Real Steel* is a surprisingly good film because it’s more than just a story about robots and humans fighting. It’s a deeply human story with exciting action and well-developed characters. The film focuses on Charlie, a man desperate for one last chance to succeed and connect with his son, and Hugh Jackman delivers a nuanced performance portraying a man confronting his failures instead of giving up. It’s this emotional core that elevates the film beyond a simple robots-versus-robots story.

I’ve been thinking about *Real Steel* lately, and it really hits differently now. With all the talk about AI and robots potentially taking over jobs, the story of Charlie, a fighter who gets replaced by technology, feels incredibly relevant. It was already a touching story about a father and son, but this new layer makes it even more powerful and meaningful. It’s not just a fun movie anymore; it really makes you think.

Real Steel is a remarkably well-crafted film. Director Levy skillfully blends the human actors with the computer-generated robots, creating a surprisingly realistic and immersive experience. Despite the fantastical premise of robot boxing, the film feels genuine and still looks impressive fourteen years after its release – a feat not many science fiction movies achieve.

Fans Still Want a Real Steel Sequel

I’m still hoping for a sequel to *Real Steel*! It’s been over ten years since the first movie came out, but so many of us fans are still really eager for more. I remember hearing about potential sequels early on, and things seemed to gain some traction around 2016 when director Shawn Levy mentioned they had an idea. He was determined to make something truly new, not just a repeat of the original, which I loved. Unfortunately, it never came together. But Levy knows we’re still out here wanting more *Real Steel* – he said just last year they’re constantly discussing it because fans like me haven’t let it go, and honestly, I’m thrilled about that!

Disney+ announced a *Real Steel* series back in 2022, but development has been slow. More recently, in April 2024, they brought on a team of writers. Whether the series will actually be made is still uncertain, but the continued popularity of *Real Steel* and its strong performance on streaming platforms suggest there’s still a lot of fan interest.

Real Steel is currently streaming on Hulu.

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2025-10-07 23:11