You've heard it said here and elsewhere that Hollywood doesn't know what its doing, here's proof:
Critics soundly trashed the new "XXX" flick, but they also disliked Vin Diesel's original, which did more than three times the business over opening weekend than the followup.
What went wrong?
"I wish I could say," said Rory Bruer, head of distribution for "XXX" studio Sony. "Certainly, we're disappointed, because it's a film we all believed in. We have Ice Cube, who is a big star, and I think he's one of those rare actors who really can do just about anything. So I really don't know."
Ice Cube, previously known for the R-rated "Friday" movies and the saucy "Barbershop" comedies, broadened into the family market with this year's hit "Are We There Yet?" But the absence of Diesel may have undermined the movie's appeal, while fans may not have bought into rapper Ice Cube as an action hero.
"Ice Cube doesn't seem like a sweethearted dad, either, but 'Are We There Yet?' did incredibly well," said Paul Dergarabedian, president of box-office tracker Exhibitor Relations. "Maybe people just associated Vin Diesel more with that role than anybody thought."
How about the fact that XXX2 is an action film and this isn't action film season? This is big budget epic season and it doesn't normally start until mid-May (ask Lucas).
How about the fact that the first XXX sucked and the only people who liked it were hugh school suburbanites that are now grown up enough to know it sucked?
How about the fact that XXX was based on "extreme sports" and the star of XXX2 is a black hardcore rap artist and a gansta and couldn't have less in common with the extreme sports crowd?
How about the fact that people HATE it when stars change in films? They can see through your efforts to push through a film just to make some cash off of them with an inferior product.
They should've paid Vin Diesel the money he wanted.
“Activism is a way for useless people to feel important, even if the consequences of their activism are counterproductive for those they claim to be helping and damaging to the fabric of society as a whole.” - Dr Thomas Sowell
The snowboarding scene may be one of the most realistic things ever put on film.
Mekhi Phifer
I think it would have been an even bigger bomb with him in the lead role.
“Activism is a way for useless people to feel important, even if the consequences of their activism are counterproductive for those they claim to be helping and damaging to the fabric of society as a whole.” - Dr Thomas Sowell
I think Mekhi Phifer had a chance. If they put him through a strict training regime for a few months ahead of time he could have looked the part. Plus (I think) he can act.
In the short term, Ice T would have drawn more people. But after opening week, word of mouth would kept people away Mekhi Phifer had a chance at being a believable XXX, thereby making the film suck less and giving it some sustainability, and a chance at a part III.
I think Mekhi Phifer had a chance. If they put him through a strict training regime for a few months ahead of time he could have looked the part. Plus (I think) he can act.
I think he's a good actor too, but he's got the personality of a wet blanket, only more annoying.
In the short term, Ice T would have drawn more people. But after opening week, word of mouth would kept people away Mekhi Phifer had a chance at being a believable XXX, thereby making the film suck less and giving it some sustainability, and a chance at a part III.
Ice T? You mean Ice Cube right?
My biggest problem with the casting of Ice Cube, who I'm a big fan of, is that the whole concept of XXX is "an extreme sports James Bond".
Ice Cube is an out of shape, black guy who raps and has a lot more n common with a gang member than Tony Hawk.
Watch the X Games on ESPN and tell me how many guys like Ice Cube you see.
That's another reason why Vin Diesel was worth the money. You could believe he was into extreme sports and he appeals to everyone. Not to bash the Cube, but he's only really done "black" films. Thus, he's not that big of a star unless you're black or were a teenage white male suburbanite in the 90s.
This is the final XXX film unless the studio wants to swallow its pride.
I'm guessing that since Vin Diesel didn't come back due to money, they killed his character in XXX2.
The next film should open with the Cube on a mission and then getting whacked. It appears like there's no hope and then rumor hits that Xander (Vin) may still be alive. It turns out that he faked his death and now he's back to save the world. Its fits his characer and would set them up for more sequels.
Or they could sign the Rock for XXX3.
And this is from a guy who HATED the first XXX film.
“Activism is a way for useless people to feel important, even if the consequences of their activism are counterproductive for those they claim to be helping and damaging to the fabric of society as a whole.” - Dr Thomas Sowell
Ice T, Ice Cube... at least I didn't say Vanilla Ice.
I'm trying to think of who I'd like to see in XXX3.
I think The Rock is too stiff. I assume the stunts take skill and balance, and big guys don't quite fill that role. The rock would be good in Schwarzenegger replacement.
What about someone like Jet Li? He was in Wong Fei-hung. It'd have to be someone who looks like he can fight off several people without ever falling off his skateboard.
“Activism is a way for useless people to feel important, even if the consequences of their activism are counterproductive for those they claim to be helping and damaging to the fabric of society as a whole.” - Dr Thomas Sowell
I'm going to hijack this thread, rename it, and use it to say that the first XXX movie had a lot more cheese than I like in my films. It also had way too many dumb parts that were dumb and the people were dumb.
The soundtrack was good, though. Better than the film.
I am a Riddick fan, but I am not a Vin Diesel fan. Don't like those stupid Fast and Furious movies, and I didn't like this.
And he has denied it and he even has a kid, I hear, but goddam he seems embarrassingly awkward whenever I see him trying to mack on a sexy female. My gaydar needle is deep in the red with him.
I will not be watching the sequel no matter who is in it. Do not waste time watching this flick.
"Be bold, and mighty forces will come to your aid."
You didn't like the part where he snowboarded through an avalanche? But the reality!
There's lots of smoke around him in the gay area. Not that there's anything wrong with that.
Also, I mentioned it elsewhere in this forum, but he's supposedly going to star in XXX3.
“Activism is a way for useless people to feel important, even if the consequences of their activism are counterproductive for those they claim to be helping and damaging to the fabric of society as a whole.” - Dr Thomas Sowell
The guy in the new Flash TV series is gay and he does okay being the infatuated young guy with the puppy love crush on the black girl. So maybe Vin Diesel's issue isn't whether or not he's gay (or bi) but whether or not he can act?
"... and then I was forced to walk the Trail of Tears." - Elizabeth Warren
