Movie News
Boll Picks a Fight with Billy Zane
Posted by Robert Fure (robert@filmschoolrejects.com) on May 4, 2008
Financially, that is. You have to clarify with Boll, because he’s been known to hit people he disagrees with, in the ring. Director Boll is suing Zane over money lost during the release of 2006’s Bloodrayne. Boll is claiming that he provided $10 million from his advance for promotional use and that of that money, $900,000 was paid to Zane. The German is asking for $700,000 in compensation from Zane.
Zane recommended Romar Entertainment handle the distribution of the film, which was supposed to go to 2,000 theaters. In the end, Bloodrayne sullied only 950 theaters.
Breaking it down, I’m guessing Boll is saying it played like this - Zane recommends Romar Entertainment. Boll gives them $10 million to distribute the film and promote it for a wide release. Romar sends it to only 250 theaters and pays Zane $900,000. It does sound kind of sketchy, like Zane got the hook up in return for that kick back. No matter what you think about Boll, something fishy is probably going on. No matter how bad Bloodrayne sucked, more theaters would have meant more money.
Bloodrayne finished it’s theatrical release with a $21,000,000 loss.
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3 Comments
May 4th, 2008 at 4:34 pm
Does this mean I can sue my friends when they get me to sign up for Virgin Mobile? I mean, they pay my friends in free minutes for ever person they get to sign up and they normally say you get 200 minutes when you pay 20 bucks but you only get like 100..
May 5th, 2008 at 1:47 am
I say take what you can get Uwe Boll. You have to make more profit if you want big distributors to back you. Billy Zane wasn’t obligated really to secure distribution, right? He’s not part of the crew. As for him getting part of the promotion money, there’s no better person to plug your movie than Zane. I don’t think any agencies would be interested. Way to hurt someone who was trying to be a friend. I’d want Billy Zane as a friend not my enemy. I say Boll and Zane should settle it with a “Walk Off”
May 5th, 2008 at 10:23 am
Hey Boll,
“Listen to your friend Billy Zane, he’s a cool dude!”
Regards,
Hansel