Derek Padula, author of The Dao of Dragon Ball book and scriptwriter for Dragon Ball Z: Light of Hope live-action pilot, contacted Dragon Ball Z: Evolution live-action film scribe Ben Ramsey for his next upcoming book, USA DBZ. What he wasn't expecting to get what as an apology.
The book will have a chapter focusing on the development ofDragonball: Evolution, a film widely regarded as, at best, a joke or at worst, an embarrassment by fans of the franchise. Ramsey responded to Padula's interview request with an explanation and also an apology.
I knew that it would eventually come down to this one day. Dragonball: Evolution marked a very painful creative point in my life. To have something with my name on it as the writer be so globally reviled is gut wrenching. To receive hate mail from all over the world is heartbreaking. I spent so many years trying to deflect the blame, but at the end of the day it all comes down to the written word on page and I take full responsibility for what was such a disappointment to so many fans. I did the best I could, but at the end of the day, I 'dropped the dragon ball.'I went into the project chasing after a big payday, not as a fan of the franchise but as a businessman taking on an assignment. I have learned that when you go into a creative endeavor without passion you come out with sub-optimal results, and sometimes flat out garbage. So I'm not blaming anyone for Dragon Ball but myself. As a fanboy of other series, I know what it's like to have something you love and anticipate be so disappointing.To all the Dragon Ball fans out there, I sincerely apologize. I hope I can make it up to you by creating something really cool and entertaining that you will like and that is also something I am passionate about. That's the only work I do now.
Dragonball: Evolution opened in the U.S. in April 2009 and holds a 14% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Akira Toriyama himself recently expressed dissatisfaction with the film.
Thanks to Daniel Zelter and Graham Finch for the news tips
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