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Ben Ramsey (filmmaker)

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Ben Ramsey is an American retired screenwriter and film director, most commonly known as the screenwriter of The Big Hit (starring Mark Wahlberg) and Dragonball Evolution.

Career

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Ramsey began his career in Hollywood in 1996 when he wrote the Mark Wahlberg feature, The Big Hit for Sony Pictures. He would later go on to write Dragonball Evolution for 20th Century Fox. He directed the hit DTV action films Blood and Bone and Love and a Bullet which Sony also distributed. Most recently he directed the short film Black Salt for Ratti Entertainment and his own company Ramcity Productions.

Dragonball Evolution

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In 2016, Ramsey issued a public apology for the film, claiming the film "marked a very painful creative point in my life". He wrote: "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 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."[1]

In 2021, Ramsey retracted his apology on his Facebook page: “For the public record, I am in no way, shape or form responsible for the train wreck that was Dragonball Evolution! My script was infinitely better than the dumpster fire they actually shot! In fact my draft was the thing that brought Stephen Chow onboard who, up to that point, had no desire to make an American movie! The only reason I apologized back in 2016 was because I felt the fans deserved one and I knew they weren't gonna get one from anyone else involved! So I jumped on the sword alone for the fans! To give them a sense of closure. This one is for me! Now that I'm an old fart and basically DGAF for the most part, because, in this day and age anyone of us could be dead tomorrow! I'm tired of my name being associated with a script that was re-written and turned into that embarrassment of a movie! I got in this business because of my love for film and a desire to make great movies like Blood and Bone and my current project, iNTERFACE! I'm really proud of them because they were made from the heart! Hey Disney! You own it now! Here's a thought! Remake it! Shoot my original draft that Stephen Chow wanted to direct and get him to direct it! You will have a SMASH HIT! And the heat alone would be off the charts! Of course, I know that's never gonna happen but hey just putting it out there! Phew! it felt good getting that off my chest!”[2]

In 2023, Ramsey was interviewed and spoke further about the failure of Dragonball Evolution.[3]

Filmography

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Year Title Director Writer Producer Other Notes
1991 The Silence of the Lambs No No No Yes Production assistant
1995 Stripteaser No No No Yes Art department: Leadman
Caged Heat 3000 No No No Yes Actor: "Killa"
1996 Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood No No No Yes Art department: swing gang
Crossworlds No No No Yes Art department: swing
Zarkorr! The Invader No No No Yes Actor: "Quincy"
1998 The Big Hit No Yes No No
2002 Love and a Bullet Yes Yes Yes No Executive producer
Random Acts of Violence No No No Yes Actor: "Teddy P"
2005 Inspired by... No No Yes No Short film
2008 A Good Day to Be Black and Sexy No No Yes No Executive producer
2009 Dragonball Evolution No Yes No No
Blood and Bone Yes No No Yes Soundtrack writer and producer
2011 The Art Patron No No No Yes Actor: "Bodyguard"; Short film
2015 Black Salt Yes No No No Short film
2019 Interface Yes Yes Yes Yes Actor: "Operator 247"; Short film

References

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  1. ^ Trendacosta, Katharine (3 May 2016). "The Writer of Dragonball Evolution Offers a Sincere Apology to Fans". io9. Retrieved 4 May 2016.
  2. ^ Dragon Ball Evolution Writer TRASHES THE MOVIE!, retrieved 2023-12-29
  3. ^ Dragon Ball Evolution Writer Admits It Was "Hot A-SS" & Explains How It Turned Out Bad #fornevernews, retrieved 2023-12-29
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