Punisher: War Zone

Darth Mattitude · The Dark Admin

Punisher: War Zone

Darth Mattitude · The Dark Admin

The first teaser poster for Punisher: War Zone has sneaked out...

-- Edited by Darth Mattitude at 08:05, 2008-05-17

Man In Black · Anime Mod

I haven't seen the first one although I don't recall it being that big a hit to warrant a sequel.

What next - Catwoman 2?

Darth Mattitude · The Dark Admin

The last incarnation of The Punisher with Thomas Jane, John Travolta and Kevin Nash in a sailor outfit wasn't half bad. The Punisher is very hard to translate to the big screen though because you can't put across the character that well.

neuman · A List Star

I thought the first one was great, cant argue with the punisher (or he will kill you). I hope this one is as good, if so, i'd be happy.

Darth Mattitude · The Dark Admin

New poster time...

1chiban · On The Casting Couch

I think that the Punisher film was not bad at all - I'm looking forward to this in an odd way :D

Man In Black · Anime Mod

That's three...

I guess Superhero Hype don't like people Hotlinking....

-- Edited by Man In Black at 17:38, 2008-07-27

Mollison · 500 Club Member

Sorry, I loved the first one. But a big reason for that was Thomas Jane. I thought he played Castle perfectly. Disappointed he's not on board second time round.

Man In Black · Anime Mod

Looks like this film will need a new director:

Credit - Filmstalker:

There's a rumour going about, and a very unsubstantiated one, that the current director of Punisher: War Zone, Lexi Alexander, has been removed from the production by Lionsgate.

It seems rather far into the production for something like that, but if the rumour is to be belived then Alexander has been removed and Lionsgate are making some big changes to the film.

Again I'll say, if this is true, then Lionsgate are making classic blunders where so many other studios have with films that directors have made and the executives have been unhappy enough with to sack the director and then hack to bits what's left. It never works.

Of course, and once more if this story is true, there could indeed be a strong reason for Lionsgate removing Lexi Alexander from the production, but I do believe that the fans should be told why, especially on a film that has such a strong fan base waiting for it in anticipation.

The story from AICN tells us that at the Comic-Con panel for Punisher: War Zone Gale Anne Hurd said that Alexander was on honeymoon and couldn't attend. Which is fine. However AICN think that's a cover story and she's off the film.

They mentioned that the footage that they saw at Comic-Con looked fantastic, but the terrible music and scratched images lacking post production suggested it was a bit cobbled together. It was then that one of their inside sources contacted them and told them the story that Lexi Alexander was out and under a non-disclosure clause.

In the meantime Lionsgate are leaping in and making changes. They've dumped the composer and thrown in a hardcore thrash soundtrack, and you can imagine what else will be done to the film inside the editing room.

So if the rumour is true, and expect to hear denials from Alexander after her honeymoon if it isn't, then we should really be hearing what the plan is next for the film and how they're going to produce something decent from it. We should also hear what's wrong with the film that Alexander was producing. Fans beware, the studio execs are going crazy.

1chiban · On The Casting Couch

Oh dear. Doesn't bode well :x

-- Edited by 1chiban at 19:56, 2008-07-28

Darth Mattitude · The Dark Admin

Official Website for War Zone:

The Punisher

Features a couple of trailers. I am yet to find a decent source for the 'Red Band' i.e. 18 cert trailer for it to post here...

Mollison · 500 Club Member

It looks good, but still, I would much prefer Thomas Jane leading again.

Man In Black · Anime Mod

More woes for this film?

Credit - Filmstalker:

Following a no show at Comic Con, a rumour spread that Lexi Alexander had been dropped from Punisher: War Zone. Well the next rumour says that this isn't the case at all. Confused? Me too.

This could be a bad sign. If a film has to resort to these stunts to drum up publicity. What ever happened to showing a dozen trailers for it, and releasing some interviews?

After saying that Lexi Alexander had missed Comic Con as she was on honeymoon, it was rumoured that she had left Punisher: War Zone. And also that Lionsgate had started making changes, including sacking the composer and fiddling with the soundtrack. Nothing had been confirmed to say that Alexander was definitely off the film though.

Now Chud through Cinematical say that she may still be on the project after all. They say they have spoken to someone close to the film about Alexander's position. They say that most of the drama is made up, and is designed to create more interest in the film. She is still on the film, and the edit will be done in two weeks.

So there we have it. One minute she's out, the next she's back in. Time will tell which one is true. Are you still excited about Punisher: War Zone? Or are you beginning to worry?

Mollison · 500 Club Member

I dont think its excitement or worry. I think its a lack of interest altogether! And this is obviously just publicity directed. Even if the ins/outs are true the spin is being put on to build interest and it will just end up backfiring.

Man In Black · Anime Mod

And another blow:

The hits just keep on coming with Punisher: War Zone. Lexi Alexander was reportedly fired from the project. And then Lionsgate were getting involved in changes to the film. Well now it looks like one of those changes is to release it as a PG-13.

Money talks again I guess, they're obviously trying to aim it at the biggest audience possible. Would you want to see a PG-13 Punisher?

It looks like all the trouble over Punisher: War Zone is down to Lionsgate, and their desire to release the film as a PG-13. An insider on the project told Jo Blo of the plan. Lexi Alexander looks to be off the project, and Lionsgate seem to be taking over.

Given that The Punisher kills a lot of people, as you can see in this trailer, what on earth would a PG-13 version look like? And if they haven't filmed it with that audience in mind, won't it end up being cut to ribbons?

Well Punisher fans what do you think, is Punisher: War Zone heading for disaster?

Mollison · 500 Club Member

Is it heading for disaster? Yes! Ofter the way The Punisher was done, i.e. 18/R-17, to follow with a PG-13 offering is just rediculous! That woulb be a kin to bringing out a sequel to Resevoir Dogs for a familly friendly audience! How would you do that? Michael Madsen change his torture technique to some light tickling?!?

Darth Mattitude · The Dark Admin

I smell directors cut on the DVD release....

Darth Mattitude · The Dark Admin

Seems the PG-13 thing was a scurrolous rumour...

Holy smokes, I go away and shoot some kids stuff for Disney, and the whole world is a different color when I return. Again I appear here to dispel rumors. Please believe:

Lexi is not off the film

Lexi is still involved in the edit process

The film is not (nor could it ever be) PG-13

Today I saw a cut that ran 91 minutes

Lexi did in fact get married

Lexi is an incredibly talented director, and this film kicks major ass, as will be proven when it is released IN THEATRES DECEMBER 5th

The film is most certainly not all exploding heads, but will reveal a great deal of Franks personna and pain

This film has been difficult from the begining, from a bitter Canadian winter, to endless nights, to rampant sickness, Lexi has fought to make a killer Punisher film for fans and non fans alike.

Initially we were to release in September, but for whatever reason (not the quality of the film or edit IMHO) it was decided to release in December. That extra time has given everyone a chance to put their two cents worth in, but rest assured, Lexi is still stearing the boat, and she is a great captain.

When I hear vicious unfounded troll rumors like the "film was unwatchable" or "a total mess" it makes my blood boil. I want to punish the corrupt. People sit on their fat asses trolling the internet, people that have never even looked through a motion picture camera, and make judgements on a work of art that they've never seen, it's like saying a baby will be ugly before it is born, I can't freaking wait for this film to come out and prove the nay-sayers wrong.

Sorry for the rant, I just love something wonderful you have yet to see-

sg,asc

Man In Black · Anime Mod

Finally:

At last it's decided, after many rumours of a PG-13 rating, Punisher: War Zone will be rated R after all. Good news that it's finally confirmed.

Why do Lionsgate seem to make life difficult for themselves? Not to worry, we're in business now.

The Punisher: Warzone saga has been a long one. We've had Lexi Alexander, the director, seemingly off the project, and then back on. Then there was the rumours of recuts, and the one about the PG-13 rating. A Punisher film with a PG-13 rating seemed a bit strange.

Well now we can all relax, as it's confirmed that Punisher: Warzone will be an R rated film after all. The reason for the R rating? Here it is from the MPAA, through Rope of Silicon:

Rated R For pervasive strong brutal violence, language and some drug use.

Now we're talking! Now all we need is a decent plot and characters and we might be onto a winner. With that sorted, and we think Lexi Alexander back on board, maybe Lionsgate can get round to some ordinary publicity for the film. Or maybe that was the point?

Darth Mattitude · The Dark Admin

Could anybody honestly see this film as anything else other than R? I mean what would be the point. The whole point of The Punisher's character is extremes!

Darth Mattitude · The Dark Admin

New poster. Can't decide whether I like it or not.

Man In Black · Anime Mod

Terrible...

Darth Mattitude · The Dark Admin

Your probably right. I can't help thinking it reminds me of something, but I can't put my finger on what....

Man In Black · Anime Mod

The guns all arranged together like that remind me of a car that's been crushed and the pose is hardly original either...

Mollison · 500 Club Member

It looks like a mock up you'd see on a advertising hoarding in GTA.