Filmmaking is a collaborative process. Having an original idea is a phenomenal start, but directors need the financial backing of a studio to bring it to life. If that's not all, to get the best results, filmmakers must also choose talent with strong on-screen chemistry or, at the very least, ensure they get along.
The unpredictable nature of life causes things to go awry sometimes. Filmmaking is a business, and one major blunder can be a career-ender. A project can run out of money halfway through shooting because of poor budgeting. Maybe a flick's stars completely misunderstood their roles. Worse yet, audiences may not comprehend a director's vision upon a movie's release.
"A director must be a policeman, a midwife, a psychoanalyst, a sycophant, and a bastard," director Billy Wilder once wisely declared. Perhaps "clairvoyant" should be added to that list, as there's no chance that some of the following fiascos could have been predicted.
The unpredictable nature of life causes things to go awry sometimes. Filmmaking is a business, and one major blunder can be a career-ender. A project can run out of money halfway through shooting because of poor budgeting. Maybe a flick's stars completely misunderstood their roles. Worse yet, audiences may not comprehend a director's vision upon a movie's release.
"A director must be a policeman, a midwife, a psychoanalyst, a sycophant, and a bastard," director Billy Wilder once wisely declared. Perhaps "clairvoyant" should be added to that list, as there's no chance that some of the following fiascos could have been predicted.
- 2/26/2023
- by Marta Djordjevic
- Slash Film
The tonal diversity within the science fiction genre is what has allowed it to stand the test of time. The term "sci-fi" is a broad one. You may first think of space adventures like the "Star Wars," "Star Trek," "Alien," or "Battlestar Galactica" franchises. However, there's also a subsection of sci-fi movies that are slower and more romantic such as "Her," "About Time," and "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind." You can find sci-fi fantasy films, sci-fi Westerns, sci-fi comedies, and even sci-fi musicals.
The genre itself encourages experimentation, particularly from actors who choose to add their own perspectives to a film. Not every sci-fi film has to be as grim and emotional as "Interstellar" or "2001: A Space Odyssey." It's always admirable when an actor in a science fiction film truly commits to the absurdity of the material.
Even if they're afraid that they might look silly, these actors...
The genre itself encourages experimentation, particularly from actors who choose to add their own perspectives to a film. Not every sci-fi film has to be as grim and emotional as "Interstellar" or "2001: A Space Odyssey." It's always admirable when an actor in a science fiction film truly commits to the absurdity of the material.
Even if they're afraid that they might look silly, these actors...
- 9/15/2022
- by Liam Gaughan
- Slash Film
“You have been quite a challenge, rat-brain, and you’re going to make a hell of a conversation piece when you’re stuffed and hanging on the wall at the academy!”
The 20th Anniversary Blu-ray Release Of “Battlefield Earth” From Mill Creek Entertainment To Include Over 70 Minutes Of New Bonus Features!
New Interviews with Filmmakers Accompany this Blu-ray Debut on September 15, 2020!
Mill Creek Entertainment is excited to announce the inclusion of newly produced bonus features for the upcoming Blu-ray release of Battlefield Earth. Celebrating the 20-year anniversary of its theatrical launch, this high-definition debut includes over 70 minutes of interviews with the crew associated with the film. Fans can get behind-the-scenes insights, never-before-seen photographs and fascinating stories about the development of the script, visual effects, musical score and more! This special edition Blu-ray will release will be available on September 15 for $19.99 Msrp.
Based on L. Ron Hubbard’s bestselling science fiction book,...
The 20th Anniversary Blu-ray Release Of “Battlefield Earth” From Mill Creek Entertainment To Include Over 70 Minutes Of New Bonus Features!
New Interviews with Filmmakers Accompany this Blu-ray Debut on September 15, 2020!
Mill Creek Entertainment is excited to announce the inclusion of newly produced bonus features for the upcoming Blu-ray release of Battlefield Earth. Celebrating the 20-year anniversary of its theatrical launch, this high-definition debut includes over 70 minutes of interviews with the crew associated with the film. Fans can get behind-the-scenes insights, never-before-seen photographs and fascinating stories about the development of the script, visual effects, musical score and more! This special edition Blu-ray will release will be available on September 15 for $19.99 Msrp.
Based on L. Ron Hubbard’s bestselling science fiction book,...
- 7/31/2020
- by Tom Stockman
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Fitness model Greg Plitt killed in train accident: Plitt was the 'body' of Dr. Manhattan in 'Watchmen' movie Fitness model Greg Plitt, best known for adorning countless fitness magazine covers and for his participation on the reality TV show Work Out, was killed by a passenger train while being videotaped last Saturday afternoon, January 17, 2015, in Burbank, about 20 kilometers northwest of downtown Los Angeles. Authorities are now trying to figure out how Plitt and his two-person crew were able to access a restricted area – without a filming permit – and what exactly they were doing there. Online tabloids claim to have the answer, asserting that Greg Plitt's death was the result of a failed thrill-seeking stunt. The athletic Plitt, who had previously shot at least one workout video on a train track, was purportedly trying to outrun the passenger train, but tripped and fell on the tracks. Police have...
- 1/22/2015
- by Zac Gille
- Alt Film Guide
When you create something for public consumption, you’re putting yourself in a very fragile position. For example, creating a popular television show means handing your beloved characters over to the world for weekly scrutinizing. Then again, it also means handing them over for weekly adoration. But no matter how beloved a show, movie, album, or book might be, no creator is perfect. And by default, no creator’s work is perfect.
That being said, there are few times in the world of pop culture where a creator has come forth and apologized for a large piece of work. Do...
That being said, there are few times in the world of pop culture where a creator has come forth and apologized for a large piece of work. Do...
- 4/22/2014
- by Samantha Highfill
- EW.com - PopWatch
Remember a little while ago, when there was a fun little boomlet of screenwriters biting the hands that fed them? Well now, writer Larry Doyle wants in on that path paved by Dan Harmon (who called his Monster House director a "hack" and Steven Spielberg a "moron") and J.D. Shapiro (who blamed Battlefield Earth on his nutty Scientologist producers). You may already know Doyle as a former staffer for The Simpsons or as the writer of I Love You, Beth Cooper, but now you'll know him as the guy who tore Danny DeVito a new one.
- 6/29/2010
- Movieline
J.D. Shapiro, one of the screenwriters of Battlefield Earth, has apologized for his crime: he was only looking to get laid. It wasn't as I intended -- promise. No one sets out to make a train wreck. Actually, comparing it to a train wreck isn't really fair to train wrecks, because people actually want to watch those. It started, as so many of my choices do, with my Willy Wonker. It was 1994, and I had read an article in Premiere magazine saying that the Celebrity Center, the Scientology epicenter in Los Angeles, was a great place to meet women.
- 4/2/2010
- by MaryAnn Johanson
- www.flickfilosopher.com
Amidst the trends today are more complaints about Sam Rockwell (and now also Mickey Rourke) being left out of Iron Man 2 posters and understandable blogger-hosted hara-kiri parties held in response to Pajiba's own E-Trade Baby movie announcement. But I was unavailable yesterday when the big new Hollywood trend of screenwriter apologies began (so far we've got J.D. Shapiro for Battlefield Earth and Dan Harmon for Monster House -- which I actually really like) and I want to in turn apologize for that. And bring you some leftovers and call for your own suggestions on which screenwriters you'd most like an apology from.
For me there's really only one: George Lucas. This coming from a guy who cherishes Howard the Duck, too. And I don't even care about the Star Wars prequel shit. I'm thinking more of the recent Indiana Jones debacle, which I won't bother David Koepp nor Jeff Nathanson about.
For me there's really only one: George Lucas. This coming from a guy who cherishes Howard the Duck, too. And I don't even care about the Star Wars prequel shit. I'm thinking more of the recent Indiana Jones debacle, which I won't bother David Koepp nor Jeff Nathanson about.
- 3/30/2010
- by Christopher Campbell
Ahh Battlefield Earth, a film that SciFi fans the world over wish people would stop associating with their beloved genre. Screenwriter J.D. Shapiro adapted L. Ron Hubbard’s Battlefield Earth and brought it to the big-screen, which garnered Shapiro a Razzie Award for “Worst Movie of the Decade.” Now, ten years after the film hit theaters – Shapiro is speaking up about his experience with the film and is kind enough to offer up an apology.
Shapiro wrote in the NY Post,
“Let me start by apologizing to anyone who went to see “Battlefield Earth, It wasn’t as I intended — promise. No one sets out to make a train wreck. Actually, comparing it to a train wreck isn’t really fair to train wrecks, because people actually want to watch those.”
“My script was very, Very different than what ended up on the screen. My screenplay was darker, grittier and...
Shapiro wrote in the NY Post,
“Let me start by apologizing to anyone who went to see “Battlefield Earth, It wasn’t as I intended — promise. No one sets out to make a train wreck. Actually, comparing it to a train wreck isn’t really fair to train wrecks, because people actually want to watch those.”
“My script was very, Very different than what ended up on the screen. My screenplay was darker, grittier and...
- 3/30/2010
- by Jason Moore
- ScifiMafia
First 'Battlefield Earth,' Then 'Monster House'... What Other Movies Should Hollywood Apologize For?
There's been a rash of regretful sentiments flying around Hollywood in the past week. Let's face it: every year sees its share of great movies and its share of cinematic abortions. But it's rare for anyone involved in the latter productions to step forward and admit, "Hey... we made a mistake. Sorry."
Yet that's exactly what's been going on. It's weird. Almost like a "Twilight Zone" episode. Over the weekend, the NY Post ran a story written by J.D. Shapiro. Is that name unfamiliar to you? He wrote "Battlefield Earth." He knows what that means too, and he feels bad about it. The story in the Post is Shapiro's firsthand account of why the movie he wrote was so awful; it's more glib than heartfelt, but the effort is commended. Then, "Monster House" screenwriter Dan Harmon wrote a frustrated screed about that movie on his own blog (a post he later deleted,...
Yet that's exactly what's been going on. It's weird. Almost like a "Twilight Zone" episode. Over the weekend, the NY Post ran a story written by J.D. Shapiro. Is that name unfamiliar to you? He wrote "Battlefield Earth." He knows what that means too, and he feels bad about it. The story in the Post is Shapiro's firsthand account of why the movie he wrote was so awful; it's more glib than heartfelt, but the effort is commended. Then, "Monster House" screenwriter Dan Harmon wrote a frustrated screed about that movie on his own blog (a post he later deleted,...
- 3/30/2010
- by Adam Rosenberg
- MTV Movies Blog
Screenwriter apologies may or may not develop into a hot new Hollywood trend, but the recent mea culpas from Monster House's Dan Harmon and Battlefield Earth's J.D. Shapiro suggest a simmering remorse among many of the town's schlock-scribes. Nevertheless, Harmon and Shapiro's contrition seems a little... off. Like, those big checks you get upon starting and completing a studio project? They're not for the work -- one's a down payment on your pride, and the other buys your silence. What would really be impressive if the screenwriters of misconceived labors of "love" or otherwise auteurist fare came out and said, "Well, I effed that one up. Sorry about that!" Read on for a few recommended trailblazers of this movement, and by all means suggest your own in the comments.
- 3/30/2010
- Movieline
New stills from Salt, the first photo from Mark Gatiss' BBC TV movie adaptation of Hg Wells‘ "The First Men in the Moon", posters for Iron Man 2 and The Losers, character one-sheets for Shrek Forever After, and artwork for the four-part comic prequel to The Expendables.
"The next trailer for "Salt" will launch this Thursday over at Apple.com..." (full details)
""Straight up medieval future tech looking... Very Walt Simonson" says one talkbacker about the costumes in Kenneth Branagh's upcoming comic adaptation "Thor" for Marvel Studios..." (full details)
"The Frouds, the set and puppet designers on the original "The Dark Crystal", revealed this weekend that the proposed sequel is still on and they've both talked to the director and been involved on the script..." (full details)
"Tom Hiddleston, who stars as Loki in the upcoming "Thor", has joined the cast of the next Woody Allen feature which begins shooting this Summer.
"The next trailer for "Salt" will launch this Thursday over at Apple.com..." (full details)
""Straight up medieval future tech looking... Very Walt Simonson" says one talkbacker about the costumes in Kenneth Branagh's upcoming comic adaptation "Thor" for Marvel Studios..." (full details)
"The Frouds, the set and puppet designers on the original "The Dark Crystal", revealed this weekend that the proposed sequel is still on and they've both talked to the director and been involved on the script..." (full details)
"Tom Hiddleston, who stars as Loki in the upcoming "Thor", has joined the cast of the next Woody Allen feature which begins shooting this Summer.
- 3/30/2010
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
It's an epidemic! Screenwriter J.D. Shapiro recently apologized for his work on Battlefield Earth, which won a Razzie Award as the worst screenplay of the decade. (Read Monika Bartyzel's post here on Cinematical to catch up.) Now it's been revealed that writer Dan Harmon has apologized for his work on Monster House. Wait a minute, though; isn't Monster House a highly acclaimed animated movie? Didn't this very site call it "a fantastically animated flick... one of the best kids' flick to come out of any studio in a long time"? Why would anyone feel a need to apologize for that?
Because a 7\seven-year-old girl started having nightmares after seeing it. As explained by the Arts Beat blog at The New York Times, the girl's mother wrote to Harmon in early 2008 -- she knew him through a friend -- and explained the situation. He wrote back, addressing his thoughtful, kind reply to the girl,...
Because a 7\seven-year-old girl started having nightmares after seeing it. As explained by the Arts Beat blog at The New York Times, the girl's mother wrote to Harmon in early 2008 -- she knew him through a friend -- and explained the situation. He wrote back, addressing his thoughtful, kind reply to the girl,...
- 3/30/2010
- by Peter Martin
- Cinematical
The man who penned the screenplay for John Travolta's 2000 flop "Battlefield Earth: A Saga of the Year 3000" has apologized to film fans - for writing it. J.D. Shapiro's treatment became the film that was voted the Worst Movie of the Decade at the recent Golden Raspberry Awards, and now the writer has spoken of his shame in an open letter in the New York Post.
The screenwriter states, "Let me start by apologizing to anyone who went to see 'Battlefield Earth'. It wasn't as I intended - promise. No one sets out to make a train wreck. Actually, comparing it to a train wreck isn't really fair to train wrecks, because people actually want to watch those."
Shapiro goes on to explain he met top Church of Scientologist official Karen Hollander at an event and she invited him to turn the religion's founder L. Ron Hubbard's books into movies.
The screenwriter states, "Let me start by apologizing to anyone who went to see 'Battlefield Earth'. It wasn't as I intended - promise. No one sets out to make a train wreck. Actually, comparing it to a train wreck isn't really fair to train wrecks, because people actually want to watch those."
Shapiro goes on to explain he met top Church of Scientologist official Karen Hollander at an event and she invited him to turn the religion's founder L. Ron Hubbard's books into movies.
- 3/30/2010
- by AceShowbiz.com
- Aceshowbiz
There aren't many movies as notoriously terrible and universally ridiculed as the space mess Battlefield Earth, but at least one person responsible is seeking public penance. Screenwriter J.D. Shapiro (Robin Hood: Men In Tights) has come forth and apologized for his association with the L. Ron Hubbard adaptation. Shapiro (who also accepted the Razzie Award for "Worst Movie of the Decade") released a statement in the NY Post that explains his introduction to Scientology and his...
- 3/29/2010
- by Dave Davis
- JoBlo.com
The man who penned the screenplay for John Travolta's 2000 flop Battlefield Earth has apologised to film fans - for writing it.
J.D. Shapiro's treatment became the film that was voted the Worst Movie of the Decade at the recent Golden Raspberry Awards, and now the writer has spoken of his shame in an open letter in the New York Post.
The screenwriter states, "Let me start by apologizing to anyone who went to see Battlefield Earth. It wasn't as I intended - promise. No one sets out to make a train wreck. Actually, comparing it to a train wreck isn't really fair to train wrecks, because people actually want to watch those."
Shapiro goes on to explain he met top Church of Scientologist official Karen Hollander at an event and she invited him to turn the religion's founder L. Ron Hubbard's books into movies. Shortly afterwards, he met with Travolta and his wife Kelly Preston - both Scientologists.
After reluctantly studying Scientology to research Hubbard's teachings, the screenwriter agreed to "come up with a pitch to take to studios".
Shapiro explains, "I met with Mike Marcus, the president of MGM, and pitched him my take. He loved it, and the next day negotiations went under way (sic). A few days after I finished the script, a very excited Travolta called, told me he 'loved it,' and wanted to have dinner. At dinner, John said again how much he loved the script and called it The Schindler's List of sci-fi.
"My script was very, Very different than what ended up on the screen. My screenplay was darker, grittier and had a very compelling story with rich characters. What my screenplay didn't have was slow motion at every turn, Dutch tilts, campy dialogue, aliens in Kiss boots, and everyone wearing Bob Marley wigs."
He concludes, "I penned the suckiest movie ever - sorry."...
J.D. Shapiro's treatment became the film that was voted the Worst Movie of the Decade at the recent Golden Raspberry Awards, and now the writer has spoken of his shame in an open letter in the New York Post.
The screenwriter states, "Let me start by apologizing to anyone who went to see Battlefield Earth. It wasn't as I intended - promise. No one sets out to make a train wreck. Actually, comparing it to a train wreck isn't really fair to train wrecks, because people actually want to watch those."
Shapiro goes on to explain he met top Church of Scientologist official Karen Hollander at an event and she invited him to turn the religion's founder L. Ron Hubbard's books into movies. Shortly afterwards, he met with Travolta and his wife Kelly Preston - both Scientologists.
After reluctantly studying Scientology to research Hubbard's teachings, the screenwriter agreed to "come up with a pitch to take to studios".
Shapiro explains, "I met with Mike Marcus, the president of MGM, and pitched him my take. He loved it, and the next day negotiations went under way (sic). A few days after I finished the script, a very excited Travolta called, told me he 'loved it,' and wanted to have dinner. At dinner, John said again how much he loved the script and called it The Schindler's List of sci-fi.
"My script was very, Very different than what ended up on the screen. My screenplay was darker, grittier and had a very compelling story with rich characters. What my screenplay didn't have was slow motion at every turn, Dutch tilts, campy dialogue, aliens in Kiss boots, and everyone wearing Bob Marley wigs."
He concludes, "I penned the suckiest movie ever - sorry."...
- 3/29/2010
- WENN
It's an epidemic! Ever since Chloe Sevigny apologized for the last season of Big Love, making amends in the most backhanded way possible has become de rigueur in Hollywood. We already brought you J.D. Shapiro's apology for Battlefield Earth and James Cameron's apology/victory lap for Avatar -- now, let us hand you an apology for the 2006 CG film Monster House, in which its screenwriter Dan Harmon calls Steven Spielberg a moron.
- 3/29/2010
- Movieline
Simply Spielbergian. From PirateNews.org. J.D. Shapiro, the screenwriter of Battlefield Earth, has written an open apology in the New York Post on the heels of his Razzie win for worst movie of the decade. “Let me start by apologizing to anyone who went to see Battlefield Earth,” he begins the piece titled “I penned the worst movie ever—sorry!” The anti-m.G.M. jeremiad characterizes the film as a “train wreck” featuring “slow motion at every turn, Dutch tilts, campy dialogue, aliens in Kiss boots, and everyone wearing Bob Marley wigs.” (On the other hand, the film’s star, John Travolta, called it “the Schindler's List of sci-fi,” which, just, wow.)...
- 3/29/2010
- Vanity Fair
Earlier this month, screenwriter J.D. Shapiro won a Razzie Award for worst screenplay of the decade. The killer script that earned him this distinction: Battlefield Earth, the L. Ron Hubbard/Scientology/John Travolta extravaganza that burned many an eyeball back in 2000. Along with accepting the award in person, Shapiro wrote an explanation of his involvement with the film for the NY Post called: "I penned the suckiest movie ever -- sorry."
How could he come to make the worst script of the first 2000's? "It started, as so many of my choices do, with my Willy Wonker." Shapiro writes about touring the "Scientology epicenter" in Los Angeles to meet women, and how instead, the center's president was interested in him writing a Hubbard adaptation, even though he was a bit snarky with his opinions on the sci-fi religion. He soon met John Travolta and Kelly Preston, helped pitch a script,...
How could he come to make the worst script of the first 2000's? "It started, as so many of my choices do, with my Willy Wonker." Shapiro writes about touring the "Scientology epicenter" in Los Angeles to meet women, and how instead, the center's president was interested in him writing a Hubbard adaptation, even though he was a bit snarky with his opinions on the sci-fi religion. He soon met John Travolta and Kelly Preston, helped pitch a script,...
- 3/29/2010
- by Monika Bartyzel
- Cinematical
It took ten years, but someone finally apologized for Battlefield Earth. J.D. Shapiro, the megabomb's first credited screenwriter, has written an epic mea culpa for the New York Post. He credits his participation in the film to an overactive libido (apparently, Scientology was a great way to meet women). Since Shapiro was eventually fired, he's able to mostly shift blame onto other people. Even so, all his sorrowful talk has me wondering: what are the greatest pop culture apologies? It's pretty rare for famous people to apologize for their creative sins. Puncturing the showbiz veil of silence can turn both coworkers and audiences against you.
- 3/29/2010
- by Darren Franich
- EW.com - PopWatch
Talk about sticking a fork in your career! Or perhaps not, since according to IMDb.com, writer J.D. Shapiro hasn’t had much of a career since being known as “one of the two guys who wrote ‘Battlefield Earth’” (along with Corey Mandell, whose own screenwriting career never progressed pass “Earth”). Ever since he wrote the much derided “Battlefield Earth” in 2000, J.D. Shapiro has scripted a short TV comedy called “X-Treme Biography: Santa”, and is writing and directing his own comedy called “Knights of the Not-So Round Table: The Lost Tapes of 524 Ad”. But in the intervening eight years since “Battlefield”? Butkus. Which probably means Shapiro doesn’t have all that much to lose when, on the 10 year anniversary of “Battlefield Earth” where the film was given the unenviable title of “Worst Movie of the Decade” by the Razzies, Shapiro took to the NY Post and penned this apology to...
- 3/29/2010
- by Nix
- SciFiCool.com
There are very few people in the movie industry who have a spotless track record. Sometimes no matter how hard you try, the movie you're working on ends up being a real piece of crap, and as long as you can own up to that fact and learn from it, you're a better man for it. Recently, Battlefield Earth was awarded the Razzie for Worst Picture of the Decade, and the movie's original screenwriter J.D. Shapiro was there to accept the award in person. Now, this week, he has also issued a public apology for the movie in the New York Post [1], and it's definitely worth a read: "Let me start by apologizing to anyone who went to see Battlefield Earth. It wasn't as I intended -- promise. No one sets out to make a train wreck. Actually, comparing it to a train wreck isn't really fair to train wrecks,...
- 3/29/2010
- by Sean
- FilmJunk
• Uma Thurman's newest movie Motherhood was a massive, magnificent bomb in the UK, where is pulled in roughly $130 on its opening weekend. That probably covered the paychecks for 1.5 extras. (Huffington Post) Speaking of bombs: J.D. Shapiro, the screenwriter for Battlefield Earth says "sorry" for writing, in his words, one of the "suckiest" of "sucky movies." Oh, and apparently John Travolta called the film the "Shindler's List of sci-fi" which is just weird. (PopEater) • Could a Full House reunion be in the works? Lori Loughlin isn't so sure, but that won't stop the internet from trying. (LimeLife) • Today in...
- 3/29/2010
- by Celebuzz
- Celebuzz.com
'Battlefield Earth' won a Razzie for the worst movie of the decade this month, and screenwriter J.D. Shapiro has written a long, hilarious apology and explanation of the film in the NY Post. The movie was a sci-fi bomb based on a novel by Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard and starred John Travolta. Shapiro came about the project in 1994 by reading that the Scientology Center was a "great place to meet women." He found it wasn't, but he ended up meeting Karen Hollander, president of the center, who was a fan of the Shapiro-penned "Robin Hood: Men in Tights." She suggested a movie based on a book by Hubbard. He agreed, dined with John Travolta, wrote and sold a script to studios that he was proud of, and then had that script radically altered. But first he tried Scientology: I took a few...
- 3/29/2010
- by Katherine Thomson
- Huffington Post
A few weeks ago The Razzies voted Battlefield Earth as the worst movie of the decade and the world pretty much responded with a .no duh.. In fact, even the movie.s screenwriter seems to agree and he.s responded by apologizing. That.s right, he actually feels bad about the part he played in making an epic piece of crap. He could lash out at the world, blame film critics, blame studio marketing, or pretend the movie has fans; but instead J.D. Shapiro has decided to accept reality and face the music in an article posted on NYPost.com, where he says: .It wasn't as I intended -- promise. No one sets out to make a train wreck. Actually, comparing it to a train wreck isn't really fair to train wrecks, because people actually want to watch those.. Shaprio explains how he came to the project and managed ...
- 3/29/2010
- cinemablend.com
I guess someone can still get some mileage out of the disasterous Battlefield Earth movie.
Screenwriter J.D. Shapiro is the guy coaxing the last few inches from the Be car as it comes to a stop. Nine years ago Battlefield Earth blasted its way into theaters and immediately began earning the scorn of film critics and audiences alike. It won seven Razzies in the year it came out (including one that Shapiro came to pick up for Worst Screenplay), then the movie went on to win Worst Picture of the Decade at this year's Razzies. That's a lot of hate to pile on a single movie -- but hey, I've seen Battlefield Earth and it deserves it.
Shapiro has written a two-page article examining his role in the Be fiasco and he states a surprising reason as to why he got involved with the project in the first place: it...
Screenwriter J.D. Shapiro is the guy coaxing the last few inches from the Be car as it comes to a stop. Nine years ago Battlefield Earth blasted its way into theaters and immediately began earning the scorn of film critics and audiences alike. It won seven Razzies in the year it came out (including one that Shapiro came to pick up for Worst Screenplay), then the movie went on to win Worst Picture of the Decade at this year's Razzies. That's a lot of hate to pile on a single movie -- but hey, I've seen Battlefield Earth and it deserves it.
Shapiro has written a two-page article examining his role in the Be fiasco and he states a surprising reason as to why he got involved with the project in the first place: it...
- 3/29/2010
- by Patrick Sauriol
- Corona's Coming Attractions
J.D. Shapiro has something he'd like to get off his chest (and no, it's not a body thetan): he was the screenwriter of Battlefield Earth, and he'd like to apologize for it. Shapiro has taken to the New York Post to explain how the misbegotten John Travolta vehicle came about almost a decade ago, and it had everything to do with his libido and a Scientologist's love for his masterful work scripting Robin Hood: Men in Tights:...
- 3/28/2010
- Movieline
This month, Battlefield Earth, the big budget flop based on the novel by Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard, won the Razzie for "Worst Movie of the Decade". J.D. Shapiro, the film's original screenwriter, accepted the award in person. This appeared first in today's New York Post: By J.D. Shapiro Let me start by apologizing to anyone who went to see Battlefield Earth. It wasn't as I intended -- promise. No one sets out to make a train wreck. Actually, comparing it to a train wreck isn't really fair to train wrecks, because people actually want to watch those. It started, as so many of my choices [...]...
- 3/28/2010
- by Nikki Finke
- Deadline Hollywood
This month, Roger Christian's Battlefield Earth won the Razzie for "Worst Movie of the Decade," an award that screenwriter J.D. Shapiro (Robin Hood: Men in Tights) accepted in person. Today in the New York Post, Shapiro offered a mea culpa, explaining how it is he got involved with the "suckiest movie ever" and what it's been like for him to deal with that legacy. The post begins with Shapiro apologizing for the movie and explaining, "No one sets out to make a train wreck. Actually, comparing it to a train wreck isn't really fair to train wrecks, because people actually want to watch those." Hit the jump for some more quotes from the letter, and how Shapiro's penis ended up being the proximate cause of one of the worst cinematic abominations of all time. Shapiro recalls what started it all: It started, as so many of my choices do,...
- 3/28/2010
- by David Chen
- Slash Film
"Battlefield Earth," the dreadful movie starring John Travolta and based on a story by his hero, Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard, won a Razzie for the worst movie of the decade this month.
So tell us something we don't know, right? Well, this latest honor prompted the amused screenwriter J.D. Shapiro to write a formal apology and explanation to the NY Post. Here's how it went down:
Shapiro says he read in "Premiere" magazine that the Scientology Center was a "great place to meet women," and there met a woman who was, at the time, president of the center.
One thing led to another and he ended up not only writing the ill-fated screenplay, but also dipping his toe into the Scientology pool.
"I took a few courses, including the Purification Rundown, or Purif. You go to Cc [Celebrity Center] every day, take vitamins and go in and out of a sauna...
So tell us something we don't know, right? Well, this latest honor prompted the amused screenwriter J.D. Shapiro to write a formal apology and explanation to the NY Post. Here's how it went down:
Shapiro says he read in "Premiere" magazine that the Scientology Center was a "great place to meet women," and there met a woman who was, at the time, president of the center.
One thing led to another and he ended up not only writing the ill-fated screenplay, but also dipping his toe into the Scientology pool.
"I took a few courses, including the Purification Rundown, or Purif. You go to Cc [Celebrity Center] every day, take vitamins and go in and out of a sauna...
- 3/28/2010
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Pop2it
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