Editing RoboCop 2 (section)

=== Development ===
Davison had been reluctant to produce a sequel to ''RoboCop'', citing a skepticism of sequels in general. He believed that most sequels were worse than their predecessors, and he preferred to cater new properties to audiences of the first film.{{sfn|Persons|1990|p=22}} He was also forced to decide between producing a second ''RoboCop'' film, versus producing [[Warren Beatty]]'s [[Dick Tracy (1990 film)|screen adaptation of the]] ''[[Dick Tracy (character)|Dick Tracy]]'' comics. He ultimately chose to take on ''RoboCop 2'', saying that "''RoboCop'' is my movie and ''Dick Tracy'' is more Warren's movie".{{sfn|Persons|1990|p=21–22}} Director [[Paul Verhoeven]] did not return, as he was working on ''[[Total Recall (1990 film)|Total Recall]]'' (1990).{{sfn|Kelly|2014|p=119}} [[RoboCop#Development|As with the first film]], multiple directors rejected offers from Davison to direct ''RoboCop 2'', although for different reasons; Davison reported potentials were either concerned about following up Verhoeven's directing, or not wanting to direct a sequel.{{sfn|Persons|1990|p=22}} [[Alex Cox]] considered the project, but changed his mind after watching a screening of [[Exorcist II: The Heretic|the sequel to]] ''[[The Exorcist (film)|The Exorcist]]'' (1973).{{sfn|Persons|1990|p=22}}

Davison first hired his friend [[Tim Hunter (director)|Tim Hunter]], mostly known for ''[[River's Edge]]'' (1986), to direct ''RoboCop 2'', citing his "realistic tone with actors" and "real dark sensibility" as reasons.{{sfn|Persons|1990|p=22}} However, Hunter left the project eleven weeks before filming began, citing a conflict between his vision of an entirely dark product like the first film, and Miller's more humorous script, which he called "tonally unfocused".{{Sfn|Johnson|1990b|p=46}}{{sfn|Persons|1990|p=23}}{{sfn|Kelly|2014|p=119}} He was replaced by [[Irvin Kershner]], who had previously filled in as director on ''[[The Empire Strikes Back]]'' (1980),{{sfn|Kelly|2014|p=119}} and who shared Miller's vision. While Davison had made Kershner agree to not make changes to the script once shooting had begun, due to the state of the script and the tight schedule, Kershner found himself forced to work closely with Miller on editing the script as filming progressed.{{Sfn|Johnson|1990b|pp=46–47}} Kershner added more dialogue{{sfn|Persons|1990|p=21}} and discarded several new scenes that Green had added, in favor of the reworks that he was performing with Miller.{{Sfn|Johnson|1990b|p=47}} Miller later said that he had only been willing to work with Kershner on revising the script, and that he had rejected multiple offers from other people to do this.{{Sfn|Johnson|1990b|p=47}}

[[Orion Pictures]] asserted far greater control over the sequel compared to the original film, and frequently pushed back against input from Miller, Kershner, and the actors. Before the story had been completed, Orion announced a release date during the Christmas season in 1989, then later moved it up to early that summer, resulting in a rushed production cycle.{{sfn|Kelly|2014|p=122}}{{sfn|Persons|1990|pp=19-20}}{{sfn|Johnson|1990b|p=46}} Neumeier and Miner claimed that these decisions were based solely on business decisions and stifled creativity,{{sfn|Persons|1990|p=22}} and Weller said that the film did not have a proper [[third act]] since Orion insisted that "the monster's going to be enough."{{sfn|Kelly|2014|pp=122–123}}