BATTLEFIELD EARTH

Hired by MGM to adapt L. Ron Hubbard’s novel, jD wrote a script that attracted John Travolta as the protagonist. Creative differences led to jD's dismissal during pre-production, and the final film, based on another writer’s script, flopped, Travolta playing the bad guy vs the good. Battlefield Earth sweeped the Golden Raspberry Awards in 2000. And in 2010 jD acceptance of the Razzie for Worst Screenplay of the Decade, highlighting his ability to embrace setbacks with humor.

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jD is the original screenwriter of the infamous Battlefield Earth. Yep. That movie.

 

jD's draft got John Travolta attached to play the hero: Johnny Goodboy Tyler. And it got 3 A-list filmmakers wanting to direct the 125 million dollar budget movie. 

 

After jD's draft was completely rewritten (Other then the chapters room the novel he used) and all his new additions taken out of the movie; new characters, scenes, storylines within the main story) The powers that be at Scientology had the studio hire a "writer" who change the script, apparently  making it the way L. Ron Hubbard wanted it to be.

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BE went on to be made for aoound  45 million dollars with a second unit director directing it and won the infamous, “Razzie Award for "Worst Movie of the Decade" (It might hold the record for the most "Worse" awards ever won).

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jD had planned to take his name off the movie but.. You can find out why he did't if you go and see his one man stand up/storytelling show.

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To find out how Battlefield Earth became a beyond massive mess and in many opinions (including jD's) the worst movie ever made, yoou can read jD’s humorous NY Post piece (See links below).

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Hola! This is jD. I want to say that John Travolta is a fantastic person and Kelley Preston was beyond beautiful inside and out.

I never had a problem with either of them and we spent many fun days and nights together.

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In fact, all was going incredibly well- until I got sen a list of changes by MGM (the original studio making it). I called up the president of MGM,  Mike Marcus, and said "Are these a joke?"  He said no-- changes from the study wanted ut he said it was from "John's camp" meaning not Joh, but Scientology.  I told Mike the changes would kill the movie and only around 10% are good and I'll do that 10%. I was fired the next day. Yaaaaaa!  (I still wonder why it took a day to call my agent and fire me vs taking 3 seconds).

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To the side and below are pis of me accepting The Razzie Award for: Worst Movie of the Decade (Same year Sandra  Bullock got hers AND won the Oscar for Best Actress. She gave a brilliant and very funny speech  at he Razzie's.

 

NY Post Op-Ed on Why Battlefield Earth Was So Bad

https://nypost.com/2010/03/28/i-penned-the-suckiest-movie-ever-sorry/

 

Willie Geist (From MSNBC MorningJoe)Talking About jD's Article About Battlefield Earth

https://vimeo.com/755704331?share=copy

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