While adaptations of comic books and other popular brands most often drum up big business at the box office, that isn’t always the case. One of the most infamous flops over the past few years was 20th Century Fox’sDragonball Evolution, which earned just $9.3 million domestically and $57.4 million worldwide back in 2009, while posting a horrid 14% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Just over seven years after the movie hit theaters, the movie’s screenwriter,Ben Ramseyisapologizingfor such a bad attempt at making something worthwhile.
The screenwriter was contacted byDerek Padula, who runs the fan blog The Dao of Dragonball.Derek Padulahad initially called the screenwriter to interview him for a book he’s writing entitledUSA DBZ, which will have a chapter devoted to telling theuntold storyofDragonball Evolution.Ben Ramseyresponded with a heartfelt apology toDragonball Zfans everywhere, which you can check out below.
“I knew that it would eventually come down to this one day.Dragonball Evolutionmarked a very painful creative point in my life. To have something with my name on it as the writer be so globally reviled is gut wrenching. To receive hate mail from all over the world is heartbreaking. I spent so many years trying to deflect the blame, but at the end of the day it all comes down to the written word on page and I take full responsibility for what was such a disappointment to so many fans. I did the best I could, but at the end of the day, I ‘dropped the dragon ball.’ I went into the project chasing after a big payday, not as a fan of the franchise but as a businessman taking on an assignment. I have learned that when you go into a creative endeavor without passion you come out with sub-optimal results, and sometimes flat out garbage. So I’m not blaming anyone forDragonballbut myself. As a fanboy of other series, I know what it’s like to have something you love and anticipate be so disappointing. To all the Dragon Ball fans out there, I sincerely apologize. I hope I can make it up to you by creating something really cool and entertaining that you will like and that is also something I am passionate about. That’s the only work I do now.”
TheDragonball Evolution moviestarredJustin Chatwinas Goku,Chow Yun-Fatas Master Roshi,Emmy Rossumas Bulma,Jamie Chungas Chi Chi,James Marstersas Lord Piccolo,Randall Duk Kimas Grandpa Gohan andErnie Hudsonas Sifu Norris.Ben Ramseyadapted his script from the original graphic novel series byAkira Toriyama, withJames Wongdirecting.James Wonghasn’t directed a movie since then, but he’s been keeping busy on the small screen, serving as a writer, director and producer on shows such asAmerican Horror Story,Scream QueensandThe X-Files.
Ben Ramseyhasn’t had a film produced sinceDragonball Evolutioneither, but he was attached to write the script for aLuke Cagemovie several years ago, before theMarvel comic bookwas turned into the upcoming Netflix TV series. He also wroteThe Big HitstarringMark Wahlberg, and he wrote and directedLove and a Bullet, and directedBlood & Bone, which came out the same year asDragonball Evolution. It isn’t clear if the writer has any new projects in development at this time, but we’ll keep you posted.
