Now we just need M. Night Shyamalan to beg forgiveness for The Last Airbender.
We love nearly everything about Dragon Ball, however, like any beloved series, there’s something that most fans would prefer to have erased from their collective brains. And I’m not taking about GT.
Dragonball Evolution, the 2009 live-action “adaptation” of Akira Toriyama’s masterpiece, is an unholy disaster that manages to mishandle every aspect of the series from characters, story, and effects that will make you want to perform the Taiyōken on yourself.
Just to give you a taste, here’s Goku (who’s now a HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT) using a powerful ki blast.
Obviously, the film was a failure with critics and audiences, and is still loathed by fans to this day.
Now, seven years later, Ben Ramsey, the screenwriter of the film, has publicly apologized to every Dragon Ball fan.
In an interview with Derek Padula, the author of Dao of Dragon Ball and contributor of the phenomenal live-action web series, Dragon Ball Z: Light of Hope, Ramsey explains that he is sincerely sorry for the film, and that he indeed “dropped the dragon ball.”
Check out his full apology letter below:
“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.”
A screenwriter apologizing for their work is a rare occurrence. Ben’s apology shows honesty, integrity, and a personal understanding that Evolution wasn’t what fans wanted.
Thank you Ben, we accept your apology.
Now let us never speak of this film again.
Its about time someone apologized for this mess. Honestly, I would love to see a live-action film of Dragon Ball still, but it needs to be made by fans, with the backing of studio experts. We know it can be done. Just not with this guy.