Joystiq

Bloodrayne screenwriter explains the perils of working with Uwe Boll

Ben Gilbert — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 11:30:00 EST

"Scripts are late. Writers are two years late. I was two weeks late," Bloodrayne film screenwriter Guinevere Turner passionately explains in an interview pulled from "Tales From the Script," a documentary showcasing stories from across the world of screenwriting. "Uwe Boll calls me [on the phone], 'This is fucking disgusting! You lied to me! Where is my script?!'," she continues, demonstrating how she held the phone away from her head as he yelled.

Unsurprisingly, Turner wasn't a fan of being yelled at, and instructed her manager to make sure she never heard from Boll again. When she turned in the script, however, Turner still expected to work with Boll on future drafts. That wasn't to be, as she recalls that Boll accepted the very first "nasty, little scrappy draft"and went right into production (though she notes that only about 20 percent of what she wrote made it into the film's final cut). When Bloodrayne finally debuted at Los Angeles' famous "Mann's Chinese Theater," Turner says she was the only one in the room of production staff "laughing out loud."

Adding insult to injury, Turner closes the interview by saying, "It's like a 25 million dollar movie, and it blows! I mean, it's like the worst movie ever made." But then, maybe she hasn't seen Far Cry?

Bloodrayne screenwriter explains the perils of working with Uwe Boll originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 26 Oct 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BloodRayne Betrayal review: Re-animated

JC Fletcher — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 12:30:00 EST

WayForward's BloodRayne: Betrayal doesn't just succeed as a game despite the baggage of the moribund BloodRayne license. WayForward took the franchise fully into "campy" mode, turning the characters and settings into something you're clearly not supposed to take seriously, presented in an incredibly sharp hand-drawn cartoon style. Rayne herself is even kind of uncharacteristically cute.

That presentation is married to a combo-heavy brawler that you must take seriously at all times, at the risk of oft-repeated death. Just surviving the game requires near mastery of Rayne's repertoire; to actually earn a grade higher than "F" in the game's score-based rating system requires ... well, I still have to figure that out.

Continue reading BloodRayne Betrayal review: Re-animated

BloodRayne Betrayal review: Re-animated originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 06 Sep 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BloodRayne: The Shroud for 3DS 'on hold'

James Ransom-Wiley — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 15:00:00 EST

On the official Facebook page for BloodRayne: Betrayal, the upcoming downloadable spinoff of Majesco's dormant last-gen action series, a commenter asked about BloodRayne: The Shroud for 3DS. The mysterious title made its first and only appearance on a list of in-development 3DS games, which was released by Nintendo during E3 last year. Nonetheless, The Shroud's brief unveiling had made enough of a lasting impression on one fan to warrant a question about the game's status some ten months later.

"The 3DS title is currently on hold," responded the administrator of the BloodRayne Facebook page. "We'll be sure to share any news when it's available." A representative for Majesco confirmed with Joystiq that "BloodRayne 3DS is currently on hold for now," but did not provide further information about the game.

Following a pair of BloodRayne titles from developer Terminal Reality for last-gen consoles and a Playboy cover spread, the franchise has stumbled along in a trilogy of Uwe Boll films. A PSP sequel was announced in 2005, but eventually abandoned by Majesco. Betrayal, scheduled to launch on PlayStation Network and Xbox Live Arcade this summer, would be the first BloodRayne game released since the 2005 PC port of BloodRayne 2.

[Image source: BloodRayneBetrayal.com]

BloodRayne: The Shroud for 3DS 'on hold' originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 11 Apr 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BloodRayne: Betrayal this summer on XBLA and PSN, courtesy of WayForward

JC Fletcher — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 12:30:00 EST

Everyone's favorite (by default) redheaded, Nazi-fighting half-vampire is rising once again, this time with the help of an unlikely ally. Majesco is bringing back its pre-Cooking Mama, pre-casual property Bloodrayne in BloodRayne: Betrayal. The new game is the work of WayForward Technologies, a developer best known for games like A Boy and His Blob, Contra 4, and Shantae, and not really for grimdark games.

It's also the developer's first Xbox 360 and PS3 project, due for XBLA and PSN this summer. Betrayal is a 2D side-scroller with "new characters, gruesome environmental puzzles and a full arsenal of lethal weapons including Rayne's signature arm blades" -- and, of course, a "deadly dose of bloodshed."

Continue reading BloodRayne: Betrayal this summer on XBLA and PSN, courtesy of WayForward

BloodRayne: Betrayal this summer on XBLA and PSN, courtesy of WayForward originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 31 Mar 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Uwe Boll is adapting everyone's favorite video game, Bloodrayne 3

Griffin McElroy — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 11:30:00 EST

At the risk of being repeatedly pawnched, we think we can accurately describe all of Uwe Boll's video game-based films as "wretched." However, we've got a theory for why that is -- his attempt to adhere to the plot of these games limited his otherwise limitless directing potential. Fortunately, that won't be a problem on his next film project: Bloodrayne 3: Warhammer, a film based on a video game which does not exist.

We'll contact Majesco to find out if this means another Bloodrayne title is secretly in the works -- but let's be honest, now. This sounds a lot like some good ol' fashioned Bollnanigans. Bollshines. Bollduggery.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]

Uwe Boll is adapting everyone's favorite video game, Bloodrayne 3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 22 Nov 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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No more big-budget bombs for Boll

Ludwig Kietzmann — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Culture, Hacks

Bad news for Uwe Boll love-to-haters: the infamous German director and pouting pugilist will see his future endeavors financially constrained after his latest $70 million video game adaptation, "In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale," set the box-office alight with all the effectiveness of two moist fish furiously rubbed together. The $3 million weekend opening marked the director's third consecutive failure to Boll audiences over, and with no more German tax shelter funds to rely on, it looks to be his last big-budget bomb.

Not willing to throw in the raggedy towel just yet, Uwe Boll (pronounce it correctly, please!) told The Hollywood Reporter that he plans to focus on smaller cinematic explosives. Like grenades. "These are films that represent my true passion, and they can be done with small budgets," said Boll. Bad movie lovers (or lovers of bad movies) need not fear -- if this director's proven adept at anything in the last few years, it's working around a complete deficit of worthwhile resources.

[Thanks, David]

No more big-budget bombs for Boll originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 15 Jan 2008 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ben Kingsley explains why he did Bloodrayne

Ross Miller — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 23:11:00 EST

Filed under: Culture

While sifting through the latest issue of Time magazine, we stumbled upon a ten question mini-interview with actor Ben Kingsley. One reader-submitted question, from Shane O'Sullivan of Auckland, New Zealand (thanks, Shane!) asked what we've all wanted to know. We've reprinted it here, because there's no way to say it better:

What were you thinking when you accepted a role in Bloodrayne? It's so hard to imagine someone so gifted not realizing what a terrible film that would be!

"I don't know whether to be upset or flattered by that question," read his response. "To be honest, I have always wanted to play a vampire, with the teeth and the long black cape. Let's say that my motives were somewhat immature for doing it."

Ben Kingsley explains why he did Bloodrayne originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 07 Aug 2007 23:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GameTap 'leaks' franchises coming to service

Alexander Sliwinski — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 19:55:00 EST

Filed under: PC, Action, Adventure

In one of the funnier announcements we've ever seen, GameTap's forums released (and we've confirmed that it's legit) a bevy of franchises coming to the service. Although no release dates have been given -- except for Hitman: Codename 47 coming this Thursday -- we do have the list of franchises expected on the service very soon.

Hitman
Thief
BloodRayne
The Legacy of Kain

They also announced that Wing Commander IV is coming (the one with Mark Hamill and Thomas "Hey, McFly" Wilson as Maniac). As much as we enjoy getting our GameTap info through forum posts like this, we don't expect it to become a habit -- but it was fun.

GameTap 'leaks' franchises coming to service originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 25 Jun 2007 19:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kristanna Loken dumps Uwe Boll

Justin Murray — Thu, 09 Nov 2006 22:40:00 EST

Filed under: Culture

Infamous video game director Uwe Boll is going to have to find a new "star" to drag through the mud. Kristanna Loken, star of two Boll films -- BloodRayne and the as-of-yet unreleased In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale -- has thrown the "engaged to be engaged" ring back in Uwe's face and has decided to move on to bigger and better things. BloodRayne 2 is just not in the Hollywood stars for Loken. Good move, Ms. Loken, Uwe just isn't good enough for you.

Loken's official statement is that she's too busy working on Painkiller Jane, a Sci-Fi series. Replacing Loken as Rayne (and Uwe's next "fling") in BloodRayne 2 (the first one warranted a sequel?) is Natassia Malthe. After checking IMDB, we discovered that Malthe doesn't exactly have a stellar career of her own. We have to respectfully inform Ms. Malthe that those "Oscars" in Uwe's office are made of Papier-Mâchè.

Loken's excuse for not working on a third Boll movie and reprising her role as Rayne is questionable. Maybe Loken decided it was about time to get out of the acting gutter and start working on some better projects? In any case, that hasn't stopped Boll from wasting other people's money; working on future flops such as Postal, Far Cry, Alone in the Dark 2 (again with the sequels) and non-gaming IP Seed. Who knows, maybe BloodRayne 2 will turn out like Superman Returns as Uwe claims; a dull movie that somehow managed to make a profit.

(We are proactively denying any future boxing challenges Uwe Boll may deliver ... you fight too dirty, bro.)

Kristanna Loken dumps Uwe Boll originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 09 Nov 2006 22:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Uwe Boll to make BloodRayne 2, anger more gamers

Kevin Kelly — Wed, 04 Oct 2006 11:15:00 EST

Filed under: Culture, Action, Adventure

Someone, for the love of every video game ever made into a movie, PLEASE stop Uwe Boll. We mean physically stop the guy. Find out where he's shooting, go out there, and take the camera away from him. Be sure to destroy any writing utensils or anything he might use to draw with as well.

Why? Because he's recently announced that he's making BloodRayne 2. That's right, a sequel to what people have been calling one of the worst films of the past few years. Don't forget, Star Wars III: Revenge of the Sith came out in the last few years and so did Aeon Flux, Elektra, Son of the Mask, and The Pacifier.

The movie, like the first one, will no doubt have nothing to do with the game, but will have everything to do with sucking. That's despite the presence of Kristanna Loken, who really needs to take Uwe's number out of her cell phone.

Uwe Boll to make BloodRayne 2, anger more gamers originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 04 Oct 2006 11:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Internet casino sponsoring "Raging Boll" event

Ludwig Kietzmann — Wed, 23 Aug 2006 21:00:00 EST

Filed under: Culture, Fighting

Widely known for his anti-masterpieces, House of the Dead, Bloodrayne and Alone in the Dark, German film director Uwe Boll drew plenty of internet ire in June by sending out a public challenge to his (many, many) detractors. Like any civilized and intelligent human being, Boll decided that the best way to deal with those that disagreed with his artistic vision for videogame adaptations was to punch them in the face, grr! The invitation urged haters to fly to Vancouver and meet the German in the boxing ring for a one-on-one session of metaphorically rich pummeling. Internet casino Goldenpalace.com has issued a press release stating that they will be the ones to sponsor the event, now dubbed "Raging Boll."

Naturally, the prestige gained from having your event backed by an internet casino cannot be overstated. The joint's CEO, Richard Rowe, notes that Boll's attention grab is refreshingly ridiculous. "We receive so many outlandish offers for advertising exposure that it is refreshing to see something that surprises even us. That is why we decided to get involved. This has gotten so much attention so far, and we can't wait to see how it will turn out." Before starting proper on 23 September, Uwe will stop off in Spain to battle Carlos Palencia Jimenez-Arguello, a critic who has already vowed to Kill Boll (challenge video embedded in the latter section of the post). After that bout, Boll will face Something Awful's Richard "Lowtax" Kyanka, Jeff Sneider from Ain't It Cool News, Chris Alexander of Rue Morgue and Nelson Chance Minter from Website Critic.

All the fights will be filmed for inclusion in Boll's Postal film, no doubt rendered vaguely entertaining by showing his face deteriorating over the course of the event. It may even prove to be beneficial to his career -- a few brutal blows to the head might be just the thing to bring him to his senses. Perhaps then he'll realize how difficult it is to hold on to credibility when you've got boxing gloves on your hands.

[Via GameSetWatch]

Continue reading Internet casino sponsoring "Raging Boll" event

Internet casino sponsoring "Raging Boll" event originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 23 Aug 2006 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Loken feels cheated after BloodRayne experience

Alan Rose — Thu, 23 Mar 2006 19:55:00 EST

Filed under: Culture, Business

It would seem Kristanna Loken has officially gone off the deep end after drawing comparisons between the works of Uwe Boll and The Bard. Referencing her role in our favorite director's upcoming Dungeon Siege film, Loken suggests, "My character basically lives in the trees with her band of women and protects the forest, I would think a la Puck in A Midsummer Night's Dream." A sign of the apocalypse, you say?

The Terminator 3 star also feels cheated by Romar Entertainment's weak efforts in distributing the BloodRayne film, and she wasn't expecting such negative reactions to her first Boll collaboration. "I was actually very, very surprised. I know that Uwe does not have a great track record, to say the least." I think you've stumbled upon something, my dear.

An unrated director's cut of BloodRayne is due in May. Any takers?

[via Eurogamer]

Loken feels cheated after BloodRayne experience originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 23 Mar 2006 19:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Uwe leaves Razzies empty-handed

Ross Miller — Mon, 06 Mar 2006 20:30:00 EST

Filed under: Culture

Now that the Oscars have come and gone, we cannot help but recall the "winners" of this year's Golden Rasberry Awards. Last month, director Uwe Boll had decreed that "it is a great honour" to be nominated for a Razzie...under the category for "Worst Director." As Mr. Boll put it, "I take every prize I get."

Sorry, Mr. Boll, but unfortunately you could not even win that prize. Instead, director John Asher took home the dubious award for his picture Dirty Love, starring girlfriend Jenny McCarthy. While he may have gone home empty-handed, Uwe Boll might feel more comfortable knowing that his thriller Bloodrayne is #20 worst film (according to IMDB), while Dirty Love isn't even in the bottom 100. Better luck next year!

Uwe leaves Razzies empty-handed originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 06 Mar 2006 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video game movies tank, nobody notices

Christopher Grant — Tue, 10 Jan 2006 15:05:00 EST

Filed under: Culture

We knew it would be ugly when neither BloodRayne, Uwe Boll's latest crapfest, nor Grandma's Boy, a comic simpleton devoted to video games, were screened for critics. Eventually, Rotten Tomatoes awarded BloodRayne an embarrassing 6% while Grandma's Boy managed to earn a relatively impressive (although still embarrassing) 13%. (We gave it an overall rating of 4/10, though it earned an unheard of 9.5/10 within the subset of movies significantly about video games.)

BloodRayne came in 19th earning just over $1 million, while Grandma's Boy managed to eke out $2.9 million. According to 1UP, Boll blames Rayne's pisspoor performance on a last minute drop in screens. "'In the last second they cancelled 1000 screens this fuckers,' he said before placing blame on his distributor. 'Romar [Entertainment] has not enough power.'"

Newsflash Mr. Boll: the sun, moon, and stars have not enough power either, buddy.

Here's the thing: most gamers didn't go see these movies for the same reason most people didn't go see these movies: because they look like crap. We didn't notice them, and the movie studios apparently don't notice us not noticing them, have you noticed?

In related news, Cinematical has a great post up of Boll, doing his best impersonation of a rabid animal, at the premiere for BloodRayne. Looking good Uwe, looking good.

[UPDATE: link for Rotten Tomatoes score fixed. Thanks, AndrewNeo]

Video game movies tank, nobody notices originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 10 Jan 2006 15:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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