Short Circuit is a 1986 American comedy science fiction film starring Ally Sheedy and Steve Guttenberg] and directed by John Badham, and written by S. S. Wilson and Brent Maddock. The film's plot centers upon a cutting edge military robot which is struck by lightning and gains sentience. Taking the name "Johnny Five", the robot escapes confinement and ventures out to explore its new life. Short Cirtcuit stars Ally Sheedy, Steve Guttenberg, Fisher Stevens, Austin Pendleton, and G. W. Bailey, with Tim Blaney as the voice of Johnny Five. A sequel, Short Circuit 2, was released in 1988.