Punisher 2 sucks?

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Strike Back below!
by: Omar Aviles Feb. 18, 2008

Punisher The upcoming PUNISHER: WAR ZONE was supposed to be a reboot of "The Punisher" cinematic franchise that did what the first one apparently didn't - that is, do the comic on which it's based justice and not suck. Our horror aficionado buddies at "Arrow in the Head", however, recently discovered a blog by one of the film's former writers, Kurt Sutter, mentioning in not so many words that the film does the exact opposite - that is, sucks major donkey balls. Says Sutter:

" I took my name off the movie for a few reasons. The obvious reason is because I didn't deserve credit. There was very little of my draft that stayed in the shooting script. The one big one they kept, was the set piece where we see how Russo becomes Jigsaw. It's pretty brutal. Glad they kept that. The other reason I removed my name is because I didn't want credit. My pitch, my vision, for the Punisher franchise was something much different… The final script…was the perfect comic book formula -- simple story, very obvious dialog and the inclusion of as many characters from the anthology that a movie will allow."

He backtracks a little in a future update stating that he didn't want to seem to be insulting other credited writers on the film, Matt Holloway and Art Marcum, but eventually grows a pair and states in a recent update: "I will conclude with this. I am not apologizing for removing my name from this project. I do not want to be associated with this movie. I am not apologizing for my comments on the script. They are my opinion, my truth." Read all his comments on the film over HERE. Ray Stevenson, as revenge-fueled Frank Castle, takes on the disfigured Jigsaw on September 12th.

Source: Arrow in the Head

Extra Tidbit: Nick Santora is also a credited writer on the film.

21 discussions Expand all
 
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NorrisApproved
10:46PM on 02/20/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
for real?
The sequel to punisher sucks? I can't believe this. what is next? Are they going to go ahead and make another Street Fighter? Oh wait....

yeah, I think I would rather watch the 85 version of Punisher with Dolph Lundren before watching this sequel..
The sequel to punisher sucks? I can't believe this. what is next? Are they going to go ahead and make another Street Fighter? Oh wait....

yeah, I think I would rather watch the 85 version of Punisher with Dolph Lundren before watching this sequel..
 
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Rukas
9:34PM on 02/19/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Did anyone really expect it to be good? I mean really? This just oozes cheap direct to DVD sequel, I cant even believe it got as much attention on here as it has.
Did anyone really expect it to be good? I mean really? This just oozes cheap direct to DVD sequel, I cant even believe it got as much attention on here as it has.
 
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JBM...
5:13PM on 02/19/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
TO DEFEND SUTTER (KINDA)...
Double post; [link]
Double post; [link]
 
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JBM...
5:05PM on 02/19/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
TO DEFEND SUTTER (KINDA)...
...I read a shooting draft credited only to the film's director, Lexi Alexander, that was just godawful.

She may not have written it; for all I know, it was just a draft she added scene numbers to. But the "dry and formulaic" stuff Sutter's talking about is there. Makes Hensleigh's movie look like a classic.

Dialogue is grade-school. It's got a lot of weirdness ...
...I read a shooting draft credited only to the film's director, Lexi Alexander, that was just godawful.

She may not have written it; for all I know, it was just a draft she added scene numbers to. But the "dry and formulaic" stuff Sutter's talking about is there. Makes Hensleigh's movie look like a classic.

Dialogue is grade-school. It's got a lot of weirdness that's supposed to pass for cutting-edge, like a group of Irish gangbangers that know Parkour, or "8 million cool ways to die," like breaking someone's arm then stabbing them in the heart with the bone that pops out. There's also Bullet Time. Yes. Bullet Time. So Sutter's probably wasn't a masterpiece, but if this is the shooting draft then his comments aren't too far off.
 
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MusicalPie
2:21PM on 02/19/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Get it right the first time or don't do it at all.
Get it right the first time or don't do it at all.
 
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fooknasty
12:55PM on 02/19/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Really?
Are we really surprised that this movie was gonna suck? Any movie that doesn't have Thomas Jane in it sucks.
Are we really surprised that this movie was gonna suck? Any movie that doesn't have Thomas Jane in it sucks.
 
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JimmmyChopblock
9:55AM on 02/19/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
eh
I'll wait until I actually see the movie to judge...but a writer getting pissed off because the studio decided not to go with his original draft is nothing surprising.

I actually thought the last Punisher movie was pretty decent to tell you the truth. Nothing mind-blowing, but a good little origins story flick that I wanted to see a continuation of. Am I reading this correctly ...
I'll wait until I actually see the movie to judge...but a writer getting pissed off because the studio decided not to go with his original draft is nothing surprising.

I actually thought the last Punisher movie was pretty decent to tell you the truth. Nothing mind-blowing, but a good little origins story flick that I wanted to see a continuation of. Am I reading this correctly that War Zone is going to be ANOTHER reboot of Punisher though?

I mean...I really am starting to get tired of origins stories. The first films in pretty much every super-hero movie franchise tend to be the weakest, due to having to explain EVERYTHING to the unknowing. Punisher is something that needs to just get to the meat already to be truly good.
 
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brentage5000
9:38AM on 02/19/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Wow.....a FORMER writer saying that the CURRENT -- as in, not his -- version of the film sucks (or something like that)...

Yeah, I'm gonna be not believing this too much, thanks.
Wow.....a FORMER writer saying that the CURRENT -- as in, not his -- version of the film sucks (or something like that)...

Yeah, I'm gonna be not believing this too much, thanks.
 
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Skellington
9:31AM on 02/19/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Punisher 2 sucks ???
Is that really a srurprise ?
Punisher 2 sucks ???
Is that really a srurprise ?
 
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xxxoverridexxx
9:12AM on 02/19/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Thanks
Hooldum.Thunder - thanks for the comment. I sort of like my picture too. I wanted to bring out the best in my eyes. My mom says I am handsome. If you like that picture so much, message me and maybe I email you a pic of one of my nuts

Afulinara- Yes, in fact I do get very excited when I hear that others like little boys.

Ebastard - You are right. I shouldn't hurt ot...
Hooldum.Thunder - thanks for the comment. I sort of like my picture too. I wanted to bring out the best in my eyes. My mom says I am handsome. If you like that picture so much, message me and maybe I email you a pic of one of my nuts

Afulinara- Yes, in fact I do get very excited when I hear that others like little boys.

Ebastard - You are right. I shouldn't hurt others feelings. I will edit my comment and sit in the corner for the remainder of the day.
 
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hoodlum.thunder
8:53AM on 02/19/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
override
gee, override...what maturity. i dont even see what the fuck it has to do with the article and my response. look at it this way...youre the one that introduced "little boys" into this thread. now, how about you go to sleep.
nice pic by the way.
gee, override...what maturity. i dont even see what the fuck it has to do with the article and my response. look at it this way...youre the one that introduced "little boys" into this thread. now, how about you go to sleep.
nice pic by the way.
 
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Dave Davis
7:57AM on 02/19/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
And that is why the headline is a question and not a statement.
And that is why the headline is a question and not a statement.
 
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Cigarette Burn
7:20AM on 02/19/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
The headline IS misleading, though.
I fully support this site's style when it comes to the news articles. I like that the writer's offer their opinions while relaying news – it's what makes this site unique and fun to read. However, I understand where hoodlum.thunder is coming from, because if you read Sutter's blog, he quite clearly states that he feels the film could very well turn out to be great, it's just completely differen...
I fully support this site's style when it comes to the news articles. I like that the writer's offer their opinions while relaying news – it's what makes this site unique and fun to read. However, I understand where hoodlum.thunder is coming from, because if you read Sutter's blog, he quite clearly states that he feels the film could very well turn out to be great, it's just completely different from HIS vision for the film. He even goes on to state that his script may very well have been terrible. Normally I'd ignore this, but how many thousands of people are going to read this article (and not Sutter's blog) and just assume that PUNISHER 2 is a load of garbage? It's pretty unfair, if you ask me.
 
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afulinara
2:07AM on 02/19/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
xxxoverridexxx
"Just admit that you like little boys and we can all goto sleep happy."

Do you always get this happy when you find out someone likes little boys? Speak for yourself.

By joblo.com law: You can throw around insults, accuse other users of pedophilia, but god forbid you attribute joblo with irresponsible journalism. That saddens me.
"Just admit that you like little boys and we can all goto sleep happy."

Do you always get this happy when you find out someone likes little boys? Speak for yourself.

By joblo.com law: You can throw around insults, accuse other users of pedophilia, but god forbid you attribute joblo with irresponsible journalism. That saddens me.
 
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EBastard
1:20AM on 02/19/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
No insults, override.
JoBlo laid down the law and that's more than enough.

Anywho, that news is definitely not a good sign for War Zone...especially being that Sutter is one of the dudes responsible for making sure my favorite show, The Shield, continues to kick-ass.

And if he's off the project, well of course that means there won't be too much kickery-of-the-ass going on with P:WZ.
JoBlo laid down the law and that's more than enough.

Anywho, that news is definitely not a good sign for War Zone...especially being that Sutter is one of the dudes responsible for making sure my favorite show, The Shield, continues to kick-ass.

And if he's off the project, well of course that means there won't be too much kickery-of-the-ass going on with P:WZ.
 
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xxxoverridexxx
10:54PM on 02/18/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Hoodlum.thunder
Punisher 2 will suck. Is that better Hoodlum? Irresponsible journalism or not, this movie is destined to blow because basically no matter how you look at it, we have seen Punisher in different versions throughout American Cinema. The only difference will be is that he wears the skull. And yes, I am a big fan of the Punisher.....the comic.
Punisher 2 will suck. Is that better Hoodlum? Irresponsible journalism or not, this movie is destined to blow because basically no matter how you look at it, we have seen Punisher in different versions throughout American Cinema. The only difference will be is that he wears the skull. And yes, I am a big fan of the Punisher.....the comic.
 
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JoBlo
10:20PM on 02/18/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
to hoodlum.thunder
This may be the first time that JoBlo.com has been called a "journalistic" site... :)

Dude, we almost NEVER report RUMORS on our site, we always get confirmations on everything we run, but when it comes to posting "fun headlines" or offering our opinions...YES, we do that as well. You know why? Because we're a FANSITE, and like most fans, we don't wallow in the bullshit that hold...
This may be the first time that JoBlo.com has been called a "journalistic" site... :)

Dude, we almost NEVER report RUMORS on our site, we always get confirmations on everything we run, but when it comes to posting "fun headlines" or offering our opinions...YES, we do that as well. You know why? Because we're a FANSITE, and like most fans, we don't wallow in the bullshit that holds back other "corporate" entities from offering their true opinions.

Most movie fans "know the score" when they read shit like that ("I do not want to be associated with this movie.") and we just SAY what we're thinking in our articles. If you disagree with our opinions, that's what this section is for, but calling us on "irresponsible journalism"?? Not sure about that.

This is a fansite with opinions. Plain and simple.
 
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hoodlum.thunder
9:12PM on 02/18/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
IRRESPONSIBLE JOURNALISM !
everyone do yourself an intelligent favor. go to [link] and read his blogs. NO WHERE does he say the new punisher movie sucks. IMO he doesnt even come across as pissed or even slightly irritated. his script didnt get used as he wrote it. not the first time its happend, i'm sure, and certainly not the last time it'll happen, i'm sure. sutter s...
everyone do yourself an intelligent favor. go to [link] and read his blogs. NO WHERE does he say the new punisher movie sucks. IMO he doesnt even come across as pissed or even slightly irritated. his script didnt get used as he wrote it. not the first time its happend, i'm sure, and certainly not the last time it'll happen, i'm sure. sutter says the script used it good, just not as organic as one he'd write. he actually gives the final script praise and wishes the movie to do well. this article is IRRESPONSIBLE REPORTING at its best...joblo.com should be ashamed to have run a headline with such a false story attached. will warzone suck? it may, it may not. however, it should suck on its own merits, not because joblo obviously desires it to.
 
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Snowboy
9:01PM on 02/18/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
"simple story, very obvious dialog and the inclusion of as many characters from the anthology that a movie will allow."

Well, we saw what happened when they tried that with Spiderman 3 and X-Men 3. And Shrek 3. Even though Shrek really isn't a comic book hero. Still, it sucked.
"simple story, very obvious dialog and the inclusion of as many characters from the anthology that a movie will allow."

Well, we saw what happened when they tried that with Spiderman 3 and X-Men 3. And Shrek 3. Even though Shrek really isn't a comic book hero. Still, it sucked.
 
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shoe1985
8:45PM on 02/18/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
He had a vision for the movie, but since he is just a writer, he has no real opinion. Writers need to become directors so they can't complain when things are changed by the director to fit that person's vision.
He had a vision for the movie, but since he is just a writer, he has no real opinion. Writers need to become directors so they can't complain when things are changed by the director to fit that person's vision.
 
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Danger^Cart
8:32PM on 02/18/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Bitter words
Seems like he's trying to burn the picture because they didn't keep his draft and, going by what he considers to be a "perfect comic book movie," i'm not surprised they did because he sounds like a shitty writer.
Seems like he's trying to burn the picture because they didn't keep his draft and, going by what he considers to be a "perfect comic book movie," i'm not surprised they did because he sounds like a shitty writer.