In 1986, Number Johnny 5 rolled onto screens and struck a chord with audiences. In 1988, the sentient robot appeared on screen once more in the family-friendly sequel. It’s been over twenty years since a Short Circuit feature has graced our theaters, but that’s all about to change. Having secured director Tim Hill (Hop) but losing Robot Chicken writer, Dan Milano, Dimension Films was in the market for a new scribe. Enter Matt Lieberman, a recent graduate of the Disney writers program. The writer and director are expected to churn out a fresh installment of the 1980’s franchise, unless of course the project becomes disassembled once more. Shooting is scheduled to begin late this year with a release date of Summer 2013. Hit the jump to see the full press release.The full press release for the Short Circuit reboot written by Lieberman follows below:

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DIMENSION FILMS HIRES SCRIBE MATT LIEBERMAN FOR SHORT CIRCUIT

New York, NY, February 2, 2012 - Dimension Films announced today that they have hired Matt Lieberman to pen their family film SHORT CIRCUIT.  Lieberman will work closely with already attached director Tim Hill (HOP, ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS) in the reimagining of the 80s classic.  Lieberman is a recent alumni of the Disney writers program.   Details of the new take are currently being kept under wraps.

“Dimension has had great success with the SPY KIDS family series which grossed over $500 million worldwide,” said Bob Weinstein, co-chairman of The Weinstein Company (TWC).   “We are looking for SHORT CIRCUIT to be our next family franchise and are excited to be working with Matt Lieberman and Tim Hill, who has had great International success with HOP and ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS.”

David Foster, who produced the original, is producing with Ryan E. Heppe, John Hyde and Brian Manis.

Shooting is scheduled for the end of the year with a release in Summer 2013.

The deal was negotiated for Dimension Films by Adrian Lopez, VP of Business and Legal and Matthew Signer, SVP of Production and Creative Affairs; for the filmmakers by Brad Rosenfeld at Preferred Artists and Melissa Rogal at Lichter, Grossman, Nichols, Adler & Feldman, Inc..  Lieberman is represented by Rosenfeld, Rogal and Adam Kolbrenner at Madhouse.

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