io9
Director Uwe Boll may have been the willing butt of many jokes - as is befitting the man who brought the world Seed, Postal and the upcoming Zombie Massacre - but if there's one thing he's not ready to put up with, it's being ripped off by Billy Zane. That's why he's taking the former Charmed and Pochahontas II star to court in a lawsuit that may be more entertaining than their entire output of the last five years combined.
The problem, according to the April 30th filing, is that Zane has been withholding profits from Boll's 2005 movie Bloodrayne via his relationship with distribution company Romar Entertainment. It was at Zane's recommendation that Boll released the movie - which only grossed $4,000,000 worldwide after costing $25,000,000 to make - through Romar, and according to Boll, Zane pocketed $900,000 for the suggestion. Boll also claims that an initial promise of the movie appearing in 2000 US theaters proved to be false, as the movie only bowed on 950 unfortunate screens nationwide.
Boll is suing for "at least" $700,000 in missing revenue for the movie. In response, Zane is said to be considering a countersuit for his reputation back after appearing in the movie.
Okay, maybe not that last part.
Uwe Boll sues Billy Zane [Hollywood Reporter]
Comments
Boll is really trying to stay in the news, isn't he. Too bad nothing short of a miracle would make his movies any better.
@Belabras: Postal, from what I've read, has garnered some decent reviews, actually.
I have never seen one of his films. Are they really that bad?
hahahahaha
Billy Zane was the best thing about that abomination. He was hillarious in his short part
@moff:
This from the man who liked Daredevil? :P
I shall believe it when I see it... 5 years from now. On cable. By accident. At 3am.
You can't sue Billy Zane?!! You just... can't!! For shame Mr. Boll, for shame.
It's a walk-off!
@Nebbish: Yes. Yes, they are, by god.
@Belabras: Just reporting what I heard. Having never seen one of his films myself, I have no vested interest.
Although [SPOILER] apparently Verne Troyer, playing himself, gets raped by a gang of gorillas or something.
Hey, Billy Zane's gotta pay to keep his ultra hot model GF in clothes and cars and golden trinkets.
If Valley of the Wolves Iraq didn't kill Billy Zane, I doubt Uwe Boll can.
My wife came home with a surprise the other day. She had "I bought you a movie! It looks kind of like Lord of the Rings, and it has that Transporter guy in it too."
I divorced her.
@The Blow Leprechaun: Yeah, I hope Boll takes him for every penny the rat-bastard has.
Bloodrayne made $4 million? I don't believe it!
@moff: The movie is pretty good, actually. If you liked the kind of humor in Borat, you'll like Postal.
Yes, "that" happens to Verne Troyer.
Oh my goodness, suing for $700K of missing revenue. At least he's got his sense of humor intact.
@shehanum: Sounds like Romar Entertainment listened to their friend Billy Zane... but I wonder if Uwe is an amb-turner.
But can Uwe Boll derelict his own balls, capitan?
Where can I find a job that allows me to blow 21 Million dollars and still have a job?
@dirtybacon:
Yeah I have no idea how this guy keeps getting money to make films.
@dirtybacon: That's Hollywood, baby!
@dead_red_eyes: And Rob Schneider for that matter.
@ManchuCandidate: You mean BF.
It been semi-confirmed that Boll gets his money through a German Tax loophole that lets corporations write off all the funds that go into these movies. It's better still if they fail.
I really wish Boll would go away, his movies are that bad. Like UFO productions can point and laugh at him, bad.
@Seth L: Postal was the last movie he made under that tax break. It's since been closed, and he's already stated that he'll be working on "smaller budget" movies.
While his movies are crap - there's no getting around that - they can be mildly entertaining if one does not attempt to think at all during the film. If one just allows the movie to unfold in it's own inept way, to just experience the movie as it happens, they aren't too horrible.
Still, I don't ever plan on paying to see one.
I am hoping that Bloodrayne will be a Cinematic Titanic offering in the near future. It was that spectacularly bad.
What's funny, Dungeon Siege and Postal are already available in Europe on DVD.
And they collect a lot of dust.
Bloodreign!!! Best. Movie. Evar. Especially when they change outfits inexplicably in the middle of a fight scene. I mean, who wants to stay in the same sweaty fight outfit the WHOLE WAY THROUGH a fight?!
@Annalee Newitz: Oops -- sorry I forgot the heavy metal spelling is Bloodrayne.
@Dunny0: "Postal was the last movie he made under that tax break."
I think the English translation for that German tax break is "'The Producers' Loophole."
im sure id be accosted for this comment, if this wasnt an older post
but i freakin loved "In The Name Of The King"
@TheElectricMonk:
*gives TEM the stink eye*
I have $8.65 in my pocket. Please deliver the heads of these two talentless hack douche nozzles to my in address glorious Memphis TN to collect stated reward.
want to see a movie that will make want to gouge your freakin' eyes out? look no further than house of the dead.
uwe boll. the only thing he ever did that was worth a damn was literally fight his critics in a boxing ring, and it was still boring as hell.
Taking bad business advice is something you can sue for?
What are you guys talking about? Uwe Boll is great! How can we condemn the man who came up with such brilliant dialogue.
"You did all this to become immortal. Why?"
"To live forever!"
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