- Title: USA/FILM LOCATIONS: WORLD PREMIERE OF BATTLEFIELD EARTH STARING JOHN TRAVOLTA
- Date: 8th May 2000
- Summary: NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES (MAY 8) (REUTERS) (SOUNDBITE) (ENGLISH) JOHN TRAVOLTA SAYING That's what I kinda liked about the story, you've got a villain that is reminiscent of most gangsters you know, and you've got a good guy that you love liking, you know, and they're identifiable characters. You know, leverage and blackmail in villains is a very familiar con
- Embargoed: 23rd May 2000 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK, & LOS ANGELES, US AND FILM LOCATIONS
- Country: USA
- Reuters ID: LVA5JFGQUI6R53A5UMK9YA0WSXBF
- Story Text: Amid controversy over its author's involvement with the creation of the Scientology religion, Hollywood on May 10 celebrated the World Premiere of "Battlefield Earth," a science fiction adventure starring and produced by famed Scientologist John Travolta.
Bringing "Battlefield Earth" to the big screen has been a passion of Travolta's since he first read the book written by author L. Ron Hubbard back in 1982. Travolta felt so strongly about the project that he took on the additional role of producer for the first time.
Hubbard was a best-selling science fiction novelist for many years before he founded the Church of Scientology, seen by many critics as a cult with a taste for high-profile celebrity adherants, including Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman and John Travolta.
Despite Hubbard's influence, Travolta and his director, Roger Christian, who is not a Scientologist but, in fact, a Buddhist, both emphatically deny the film is Scientology propaganda in any way.
The story is standard science fiction material. It takes place in the year 3000, one millennium after the human race has been all but wiped out by the vicious marauding Psychlo aliens, led by chief of security Terl, played by Travolta under many layers of latex and special makeup effects.
The handful of surviving humans are either used as slaves or hiding out in remote mountain villages, primitive and cut off from the rest of humanity. Such is the case for Jonnie Goodboy Tyler, played by Barry Pepper, who sets out to make life better for his people and winds up leading a rebellion to take back planet Earth from the evil invaders.
Also in the cast is Forest Whitaker, who plays the Psychlo henchman Ker. This is his second time working with Travolta. They previously collaborated on the film "Phenomenon."
As in any sci-fi film, "Battlefield Earth" is loaded with special effects and imaginative sets and costumes. In fact, director Roger Christian previously acted as set decorator for George Lucas' original "Star Wars" film, and most recently directed the second unit for the blockbuster "Phantom Menace."
Although it seems like a high-tech, high budget film, it actually was shot on a limited budget which was financed independently. The sets and miniatures were all constructed in Montreal, Canada, taking advantage of cheaper labor costs outside of Hollywood.
This isn't Travolta's first turn playing a bad guy. He previously played villains in the films "Face Off" and "BrokenArrow." This is, however, his first time acting under such elaborate make-up and costumes.
"Battlefield Earth" opens in theaters throughout the United States on Friday, May 12 ---ENDS---. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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