What are the odds of an R rated Rollerball (2002) release? (1 Viewer)

[Chris Clark]

After remembering that Supernova had an R rated dvd/video release, I am wondering if MGM plans to do the same with their latest modern classic (for those of you with Sarcasm filters, I'm being sarcastic).

Since it dropped off the box office radar in one week flat, shouldn't there be a press release of it coming soon? I'm using Ghosts of Mars as such an example of speedy theatrical-flops-to-rental-bins.

Much was written about how this film was cut to a more teen-friendly PG-13, yet MGM might think it couldmake a few more dimes off of an R rated dvd.

Director John McTiernan (who seemed to have forgotten that he used to make good action movies, IMHO) is not a stranger to supplemental material on dvds, so what can we expect? Any early rumors floating around?

 

[Alex Spindler]

I would say that the chance of an "R" rated version is 100%. This is the only way they could generate any interest in this title. The only way.

 

[Scott Weinberg]

Gotta agree with Alex. Seems the "fanbase" for this DVD might be rather sparse. Including both versions (or simply the "hard" edition) would be a sure way to boost interest in the DVD.

I know I'd be interested in seeing an "uncut" version!

 

[Sebastian B.]

To put it simply : I love John McTiernan's work. To me he's the best action director out there, easily. And I know I'm not the only one to think that.

But this past year it's been really sad and desperating to see a bunch of corporate executive managers playing yo-yo with this particular movie, formatting it, cutting it and ultimately, wasting it for its theatrical release, (both artistically and economically, what a nice job). As if the lesson hadn't been taught enough before (especially with this director). Shame on you MGM.

Well now, thanks to the DVD format, MGM has a second chance to pull this one correctly. As Alex says it, the only sure path here is to publish the uncut version, because no sane McT fan in the world, me the first, will ever buy the infamous PG-13 version. That just had to be said.

 

[Chad R]

Going by MGM's recent release plan for similar flop 'Original Sin' with dual R rated/Unrated release I'd also say that the chances of a 'Rollerball'R rated version is a certainty.

With strict guidelines for children getting into R rated movies, they cut it to PG-13. But video hardly has those restrictions and the R rating will be a selling point. 'The version you couldn't see in theaters!' will be the slogan although it should be 'the version we were to winpy to let you see in theaters!'

 

[Daniel L]

I love John McTiernan's work as well, but he did still leave his name on the film. (And he's far from fallibale, see Medicine Man.) If the edits to Rollerball were made completely without his consent, he has the Alan Smithee rule in the MPAA to fall back on. That what happend with Supernova.

You it's highly likely that an R or Un-Rated cut will still suck. When a film is trashed so universally, it not just an issue of a litle more gratuitous violence of T & A. Although it will probably dirve the rentals well.

Do you think the added footage will really make a difference with Original Sin?

Daniel L

 

[DaveBB]

When a film is trashed so universally, it not just an issue of a litle more gratuitous violence of T & A. Although it will probably dirve the rentals well.

I'm pretty sure that the supposed full frontal nude shot(s) of Rebecca Romijn-Stamos that were left on the cutting room floor to get PG-13 would garner some more rentals/purchases no matter how bad the film is.

 

[Alex Spindler]

Sebastian,

I love McTiernan's work as much as the next person (I think Die Hard is the best and most well rounded action movie ever), but there is no amount of editing that could make Rollerball tolerable. It was a disaster from beginning to end. The sets were terrible, the dialogue was terrible, the music was terrible, the action was terrible, and the whole plot was terrible. Unless they left an entire new movie on the cutting room floor and replace it with the movie that was put up on the screen, I don't think there is a chance that this could ever rise above terrible. There isn't a single shot or line of dialogue worth saving. Check that, maybe the "Booooing" sound during the nightvision sequence. That will be infamous for some time.

 

[RobertR]

I'm pretty sure that the supposed full frontal nude shot(s) of Rebecca Romijn-Stamos that were left on the cutting room floor to get PG-13 would garner some more rentals/purchases

Based on what I saw of her in X-Men, it would be tempting....

 

[Bob_L]

I think they should just go ahead and release an X-rated version of this movie. They could hire a couple of porn performers from up in the valley and add a few hardcore inserts to the theatrical print.
This worked really well to save some of Ed Wood's old movies.

 

[Todd Stout]

Mmmm... Rebecca Romijn-Stamos nude... I'd buy that version.

 

[Greg_Y]

I think they should just go ahead and release an X-rated version of this movie. They could hire a couple of porn performers from up in the valley and add a few hardcore inserts to the theatrical print.

Kinda like Caligula meets Rollerball, huh? Hmmm.... Interesting. Anyone know what Gore Vidal is up to these days?

 

[Kevin Kiyoshi]

I was able to see a screening of this movie last fall before it was changed to a pg-13, and I think that many of you would prefer the R rated version. i haven't seen the new version, but the r rated version did have a lot of nudity, including Rebecca Romajin Stamos. I would also assume that there is a lot more violence in the R- rated version.

 

[Carlo_M]

I'm pretty sure that the supposed full frontal nude shot(s) of Rebecca Romijn-Stamos that were left on the cutting room floor to get PG-13 would garner some more rentals/purchases no matter how bad the film is.

I'll go on to say that this is the ONLY way I'll even rent or (and depending on how good the footage is) buy this DVD.

 

[Edwin-S]

After reading a synopsis of the story for this remake, I am still wondering why they called it "ROLLERBALL"; from what I read this version has almost nothing in common with the original....other than the game and the name. The first movie had something to say about corporate states replacing the nation state. The remake does not seem to have any of that social commentary. I doubt even an R-rated cut could make this movie worthy of the name "ROLLERBALL".