Remember 2009’s Dragonball Evolution? The western adaptation of the classic Akira Toriyama manga for the big screen? Sure you do, but you probably don’t remember it for being exactly faithful to the source material. Derek Padula is currently writing a book called “USA DBZ” and there will be a chapter about the untold stories surrounding this infamous film. Padula reached out to screen writer Ben Ramsey to gain more insight and material for his novel. Ramsey replied to him with a special message for everyone:
“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 Dragonball 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.Best,
Ben.”
Its always interesting when you see the writer’s point of view on these situations. Did any of you actually see Dragonball Evolution back then, or even better did any of you play the PSP game based on the movie?
