Editing I, Robot (section)

====Harlan Ellison's screenplay (1977–1978)====
During the late 1970s, [[Warner Bros.]] acquired the [[option (films)|option]] to make a film based on the book, but no screenplay was ever accepted. The most notable attempt was one by [[Harlan Ellison]], who collaborated with Asimov himself to create a version which captured the spirit of the original. Asimov is quoted as saying that this screenplay would lead to "the first really adult, complex, worthwhile [[science fiction movie]] ever made." Ellison worked on the project from December 1977 to December 1978. Asimov himself advised Ellison as to the scientific validity of some elements of the script.

Ellison's script, taking inspiration from ''[[Citizen Kane]]'',<ref name="WeeilWolf">{{cite book |last=Weil |first=Ellen |author2=Wolfe, Gary K. |title=Harlan Ellison: The Edge of Forever |publisher=Ohio State University Press |year=2002 |location=Columbus, OH |page=126 |isbn=0-8142-0892-4}}</ref> began with reporter Robert Bratenahl tracking down information about Susan Calvin's alleged former lover Stephen Byerly. This provided for a [[framing sequence]] to adaptations of Asimov's stories. These differ from the originals in that they more strongly center around Calvin as a character. Ellison placed Calvin into stories in which she had not appeared and amplified her role in ones in which she did.

Although well-regarded by critics, the screenplay is generally considered to have been unfilmable for practical reasons, given the technology and average film budgets of the time.<ref name="WeeilWolf" /> Asimov also believed that the film may have been scrapped owing to a conflict between Ellison and the producers: when the producers suggested changes in the script, instead of being diplomatic as advised by Asimov, Ellison "reacted violently" and offended them.<ref>Isaac Asimov, "Hollywood and I". In ''[[Asimov's Science Fiction]]'', May 1979.</ref>

The script was serialized in ''[[Asimov's Science Fiction]]'' magazine in late 1987, and appeared in book form with illustrations by [[Mark Zug]] under the title ''I, Robot: The Illustrated Screenplay'', in 1994 (reprinted 2004, {{ISBN|1-4165-0600-4}}). Both Ellison and Asimov received credits.