Following James Cameron’s comments that Piranha 3D, from director Alexandre Aja, isn’t what he envisioned the film community doing with 3D technology, producer Mark Canton publicly gave a lengthy rebuttal today. The full text can be read on the next page, but we thought it was an apt time to visit other highly public, and usually, highly embarrassing public spats between producers, directors, critics and studios.
Brad Wright versus Maureen Ryan
Stargate Universe
The Stargate Universe producer famously took issue with a review of his show from Chicago Tribune columnist Maureen Ryan, as well as her reference to it in an article on V. A series of public rebuttals continued, until Ryan effectively ended it by saying that she was done giving Universe a chance. Ouch.
Uwe Boll versus film criticism
Postal
Uwe Boll is, if nothing else, unique. From calling the critics at Ain’t It Cool ‘retards’ through to any number of odd outbursts to the press, his Raging Boll event was certainly the only one of its kind. Boll took on five of his harshest critics in back to back boxing matches, and won. Fair play.
Gary Kurtz versus George Lucas
Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
One article that made headlines around the internet recently was an LA Times interview with Star Wars producer Gary Kurtz, who lamented the direction that the franchise took toward its merchandising arm. Lucas, to his credit, didn’t rise to the bait and engage in a public happy slap. It’s an interesting read, though, and can be found here.
Gene Roddenberry versus Paramount
Star Trek II: The Wrath Of Khan
Gene Roddenberry was famously “kicked upstairs”, to parse Shatner, after his original script for a sequel to Star Trek: The Motion Picture was rejected by Paramount. The franchise creator was instead given a largely ceremonial role of executive consultant. Roddenberry’s script originally had the crew using the Guardian Of Forever to prevent the Klingons assassinating John F Kennedy.
Joss Whedon versus Twentieth Century Fox
Firefly
Mention Fox to a Firefly fan and you’re likely to get a cold reaction at best, and a great part of that was due to Joss Whedon’s very public passive aggression toward the network for its treatment of his show. That, of course, was slightly muted when Whedon jumped back into bed with them a few years later for Dollhouse, which was also cancelled.
