Have you thought of just going the direct-to-DVD route?
UB: Not with King, it was too big. But other movies -- Seed, my upcoming horror movie, is definitely going direct to DVD. We showed it in a few festivals, it's a very depressing horror movie, but it makes no sense to spend $10, $15 million dollars for a release of a NC-17 movie -- because I don't want to cut it, it's NC-17 -- so I don't do it, the movie stays as it is. I prefer to have the direct to DVD release before cutting it down to an R-rating and then getting, maybe, bad reviews.
Ryze asks, "Would you consider making a movie of Grand Theft Auto: Vice City?"
UB: It would be great, but I heard that the game guys want to play the lead parts in the movie. This is one of the reasons the movie never got made, because they actually want to star in the movies. (Laughs) The producers are like, "Look; you're a f***ing geek! You will be the hero in the movie? We cannot do it." So it's one of the reasons it's maybe never getting made.
thereign asks, "How in the name of all that is holy do you actually manage to get KNOWN actors (Ray Liotta, Dave Foley, Jason Statham, John Rhys Davies--JOHN F***ING RHYS DAVIES, for God's sake!!!) to work in your films?"
UB: We don't offer so much money, but we shoot fast. And we also go very late to actors so they don't have another option -- you go two weeks before the shoot to Ben Kingsley and he has nothing, he takes it. You cannot go with BloodRayne in advance; Ben Kingsley will never take it. All genre movies -- people do it for money, but also for, like, "Ok, right now I have a gap; I'll do it."
You've been compared by some to Ed Wood; how do you feel about that comparison?
UB: Look, Ed Wood fulfilled his dreams; he went out there and made movies with no money; I have more money to make movies, but...I'm okay with whomever they compare me with. In the end, after Postal I know what's coming out for me -- I have Seed and Tunnel Rats, a Vietnam War movie, and so on. I know what I did, and in five years, people will talk differently.
Do you consider yourself more of a businessman or a director?
UB: I have to do both to keep going. This was the whole Michael Bay dispute, why I bashed him; if a guy gets always money pumped in his ass from the studios, and can do whatever he wants, and is not even on set where they shoot the real scenes from his movie because the CGI and second unit teams are doing it...I was pissed about this kind of approach; this guy has no responsibility. And I'm responsible, that's the reason all my movies come in on time on budget, which is totally the opposite of what the public thinks of me. Writing about me, I'm the worst, and a retard, whatever. But who did 12 movies in seven years on time, in budget, distributed it worldwide and financed the movies? Name one other guy in the business who did that. And this is the thing what I think a lot of people should at least show respect for that. Because if you see In the Name of the King, it's not that movie that, let's say 90 percent of the movies coming out are way smaller, with way less cast, and way worse in filmmaking in the technical sense -- but I do all that shit on my own! I don't have a CGI guy directing my movie.
Now, Michael Bay has denied accepting your boxing challenge, but have you sought out Eli Roth or George Clooney to spar with you?
UB: I don't care -- whoever comes into the ring gets beaten up. No, but I think Eli Roth reacted with humor. And you have to see, I said that out of an impulse; it was not like I thought about it a long time before. I wanted to give sh** to all of Hollywood at that moment, so I grabbed those three names. I think that actually Eli Roth is a talented director, even if he made Hostel -- it's not my favorite. And George Clooney made great movies, but I think he was in my mind because Leatherheads started on that weekend. And I felt like, what a bullsh** movie from him! I love Syriana, I love Michael Clayton. I think he's a great actor.
Tell our readers why they should see Postal this weekend instead of Indiana Jones.
UB: They should definitely see Postal because I will have on Rotten Tomatoes, the first time in my career, a 55 percent or up positive reviews rating...and don't put the faces up of some Internet "Quint" from Ain'tItCool.com or whatever, don't feature him on Rotten Tomatoes. Go for other web sites also, like Bloody-Disgusting.com -- they love Postal.
[By the way, it's 60 percent or higher for a Fresh Tomatometer, Uwe. But we're rooting for you!]
Postal is in select theaters today. Check out Uwe Boll's Five Favorite Movies here.
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thereign writes: on May 23 2008 06:58 PM Three things: First, I can't believe RT actually posted my fairly brutal question to Uwe B., but it made me laugh my a$$ off that they did!(Thank you, Jen Yamato!) Second, if I had to name one other director who always brings his movies in on time and on budget(or under): it would be Clint Eastwood. If it were a producer, it would be J. Michael Straczynski, during his showrunning days on Babylon 5. Third, while I still feel the need is massive for every person on Earth to sign the anti-Boll petition, I have to say that the Diabolical Dr. Boll's answers to all the questions were honest, mostly intelligent, and straight to the point. While I still don't like him as a filmmaker, I have to say that he does have a certain shrewdness to his business sense, and I do appreciate his business wiles(re: recouping budgetary costs from DVD as opposed to theatrical). (Reply to this) |
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tomwaitsjr writes: on May 23 2008 07:05 PM Sigh, Mostly softball questions except for the How do you get name actors in your film? question. That was also the most interesting response from Uwe. . . Uwe is still an idiot. Postal instead of INDY? Fortunatly nobody in my entire State is showing that crapfest. UWE if you're reading this, tough guy, make up a username and take on your critics. Not some loopy boxing crap. (Reply to this) |
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DivineCC writes: on May 23 2008 07:28 PM So he pretty much confirms that he intentionally makes cheap, horrible movies that barely get released so he can make as much possible of the dvds. Smart businessman, horrible director. (Reply to this) |
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jokerboy1991 writes: on May 23 2008 08:07 PM Man he sucks. (Reply to this) |
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jokerboy1991 writes: on May 23 2008 08:17 PM LOL Postal has an 11% so far! Uh please go under 10. (Reply to this) |
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jokerboy1991 writes: on May 23 2008 08:20 PM Also I think he gives Bay too much crap, sure he has made shi.t movie like Parl Harbor, Bad Boys II, and Armageddon, but come on most people will say the enjoyed Transformers (which I thought was pretty good), The Island was good, and I always liked The Rock. (Reply to this) |
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witherwings writes: on May 23 2008 08:20 PM The man is insane. (Reply to this) |
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Univarn writes: on May 23 2008 08:49 PM Uwe Boll defines everything that is wrong in the industry. Everytime I remember he makes movies, I die a little inside. (Reply to this) |
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abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxy writes: on May 23 2008 09:08 PM I love Uwe Boll. I absolutely love him. I hope he makes movies until the day he dies, and I hope he becomes filthy rich from them. Long live Uwe Boll. If you're reading this Mr. Boll, NEVER STOP. I don't care if every person on the planet except me signs the anti-Boll petition, do not stop making movies. I will never ever see one of your films in the theater, or buy one on DVD, or steal a copy for free off the internet, but I think you should keep on making them. I love you. Sincerely, Berlin Alexanderplatz (Reply to this) |
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flash2000 writes: on May 23 2008 09:22 PM Haha, I love that he mentions Quint at Aint It Cool, and Quint didn't even give enough of a crap about the movie to write a review. Of course I guess he had to mention Quint since he kind of started it all - (Reply to this) |
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wallstreet_jony writes: on May 23 2008 09:34 PM Hey Uwe Boll...or whatever your name is. I also will never see one of your films, or buy it on DVD, or steal out of a wal-mart discount bin, or even borrow it from a friend and never give it back.....BUT!!! i admire your spirit and determination. Just because others like Spielburg and Lucas are full of themselves and get all of the attention, it doesnt mean that you have to stop doing what you love. If you are finding the financing for your movies, and actors still want to work with you, then do it!!!. (Reply to this) |
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Floor Man writes: on May 23 2008 09:50 PM "The thing is, I think as a director or a writer or whatever, you have to have a vision. And you have to be maybe sometimes too early, somewhere." WTF? Hahahahaha! (Reply to this) |
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Young Turk writes: on May 23 2008 11:18 PM Uwe Boll your movies suck but this interview definitely changed my opinion of you. By the way I'll fight you. (Reply to this) |
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CaptainSiberia writes: on May 23 2008 11:43 PM He makes bad art, but he's actually pretty articulate. He made a lot of sense. (Reply to this) |
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Oblivioncry writes: on May 24 2008 02:30 AM he doesnt seem to as an idiot anymore, but just a not so talented director, who sometimes speaks before thinking. (Reply to this) |
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Raziel5000 writes: on May 24 2008 05:48 AM I've never seen any of his films yet, but I can't help respecting the guy for what he does. At least he's out there, making a go of it, getting down and dirty and doing something about his passion. The hell with that pathetic patition - theres enough room in the world for many different types of film. Keep em coming Uwe! (Reply to this) |
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randyshea writes: on May 24 2008 07:34 AM You're a modern day Roger Corman, Uwe. Reading your interview is like reading his book, How I made a 100 Movies and Never Lost a Dime. (Reply to this) |
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Jack Waters writes: on May 24 2008 09:59 AM Uwe Boll over the past few weeks has actually convinced me that he is quite intelligent when it comes to film. Perhaps I will see Postal. And this guy almost did Mr. Brooks! Holy ****! You the man, Uwe! (Reply to this) |
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astrangefish writes: on May 24 2008 11:05 AM Good interview, interesting guy. I have seen a couple of his films and they're pretty horible, but i dont wish for him to stop doing it, good luck to him. I'll just avoid his films (i do the same with michael bay and eli roth, except i can't say i find them interesting). (Reply to this) |
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nyr148699 writes: on May 24 2008 11:31 AM While I think that Uwe Boll is one of the worst directors of all-time, after reading this interview I have much more respect for him as a producer and businessman. I hope that Uwe Boll doesn't stop making terrible movies because my friends and I love making fun of them. I can't wait for Postal on DVD (no seriously, more so than Indy 4). (Reply to this) |
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