Key Takeaways:
– James Marsters, who played Demon King Piccolo, opens up about being deceived during the production of Dragonball Evolution.
– The actor was told the film would have a $120 million budget and be directed by Stephen Chow. This turned out to be false.
– The film was met with backlash from fans and failed at the box office due to its deviation from the original franchise.
– Akira Toriyama, creator of Dragon Ball, expressed his disappointment with the movie, stating it failed to capture the essence of his work.
Actor James Marsters Duped into Dragonball Evolution Project
Fans of Akira Toriyama's renowned Dragon Ball series will remember the disappointing adaptation, Dragonball Evolution by James Wong. Recently, actor James Marsters, who portrayed the character Demon King Piccolo, revealed unsettling details about how he was misled into participating in the ill-fated film.
Marsters' Tale of Misguidance
Speaking at the 2014 Wizard World Convention in Atlanta, Marsters shared that he was promised a blockbuster production. The assurance of having Stephen Chow, the director of hit films like Kung Fu Hustle and Shaolin Soccer, at the helm, plus a generous $120 million budget, only heightened his anticipation.
Marsters confessed that being a father had made Dragon Ball Z vital for him. He viewed the opportunity of being part of the franchise as a chance to make his son proud. However, circumstances changed rapidly. Upon starting work in Durango, Mexico, Marsters discovered the budget was a fraction of what he'd been told, at a mere $30 million. Additionally, Stephen Chow was not actively involved, his name was simply on paper as a lure to get the cast on board.
Safety Concerns On-Set
The major drop in budget led to substantial safety issues on set. Marsters highlighted his concerns about these conditions, sharing that no funds were allocated to use stuntmen in his scenes. In the absence of stand-ins, he endured several dangerous stunts that even led to a sustained injury – a separated clavicle.
Fallacious Film Fails at Box Office
Despite Marster's compelling performance as Demon King Piccolo, Dragonball Evolution couldn't save itself from box office failure. The film garnered only $56.5 million worldwide, according to The Numbers, far below the expected earnings for a franchise of such calibre.
Akira Toriyama's Premonition Comes True
Long before the movie's catastrophe, Dragon Ball's creator Akira Toriyama had foreseen its disappointing outcome. During an old interview over Kanzenshuu, Toriyama revealed that he had given suggestions and cautious advice to the screenplay writers. However, they ignored his input, resulting in a movie that Toriyama feels did not embody the characteristics and world of Dragon Ball.
Looking Ahead to a Potential Reboot
Even after the misfortune of Dragonball Evolution, hope stays alive for a successful live-action adaptation of the Dragon Ball franchise. Future endeavors could benefit greatly from fan-based casting suggestions, potentially leading to a better reception and success at the box office.
Despite the setbacks experienced during Dragonball Evolution's production and its resulting failure, its missteps serve as a lesson in respecting and adhering to the original source material for any future adaptations. It shows the importance of clear communication and remaining truthful with the cast and crew members, crucial aspects for any successful film production.
