Rollerball Ads Pulled

By Cmaster2 January 30, 2002 11:59 AM

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - A federal judge Tuesday barred Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc. from running ads that say its upcoming movie "Rollerball" is from the same filmmakers behind rival studio Universal Picture's street-racing hit "The Fast and the Furious."

Universal, a unit of Vivendi Universal, sued MGM for false advertising and unfair competition on Monday, seeking to halt the ads. Universal claimed its efforts to develop "Fast and Furious" sequels could suffer from association with "Rollerball," which has gained a reputation as a troubled picture.

MGM reportedly postponed its release date for "Rollerball," a remake of a 1975 drama about a futuristic roller derby, from last August to February of this year after a rough cut of the film was panned by online film critic Harry Knowles.

In recent broadcast spots, "Rollerball" was touted as being "from the filmmakers that brought you 'The Fast and the Furious."'

Universal officials argue the promotional link to its "F&F" was misleading because neither the director nor the producers for "Rollerball" had director or producer credits on "F&F."

The closest connection between the films in terms of their creative pedigree is that John Pogue, one of two screenwriters for the "Rollerball" update, also was one of several producers credited for "Fast and Furious."

U.S. District Judge Howard Matz sided with Universal and issued a temporary restraining order.

In other MGM Lawsuit news:

MGM CONCEDED DEFEAT

MGM later insisted its ads were fair but conceded defeat in court.

"We believe our ad was 100-percent accurate and appropriate," an MGM spokeswoman said. "However, since the injunction only involves a couple of TV and radio spots that were scheduled to end on Friday anyway, we are not going to contest the court's ruling and of course will abide by it."

Insiders at the studio said the disputed spots represented less than 10 percent of the advertising campaign for "Rollerball."

In an unrelated movie-marketing dispute, MGM has cried foul over New Line Cinema's title for its upcoming third installment of the spy spoof franchise starring Mike Myers, "Austin Powers in Goldmember."

In response to MGM's complaint that "Goldmember" infringed on its James Bond franchise, an industry arbitration panel ruled last week that "Goldmember" was inadmissible, forcing New Line to withdraw movie trailers, posters and online promotions for the latest Austin Powers film. New Line, a unit of AOL Time Warner Inc., has said it would appeal the ruling.

"Goldmember" plays on the title of the third in the series of Bond films, the 1964 classic "Goldfinger" starring Sean Connery.

| comments: 13

Reader Discussions:

Post YOUR opinion too!

Rollerball vs. Fast & Furious   reply

Posted by Jet Li (Wushu@hotmail.com) on January 30, 2002 1:25 PM

I almost took the role on as Dom in the Fast and the Furious but turned it down after learning there were no small children in the movie. Rollerball will be good, but not as good as the Black Mask which should have won the Best movie of the year. Hiyaa!

MGM=sucks   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on January 30, 2002 6:52 PM

Is there a more luckless, inept studio than MGM? They seem to f--- up everything they make. Outside of the Bond franchise, when's the last time they had a real hit? Nothing but stinkers like Disturbing Behavior, Carrie 2, etc. BLEHHH!

RE: MGM=sucks   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on January 31, 2002 2:58 AM

...But they have a roaring lion!

RE: MGM=sucks   reply

Posted by power-trip (powertripz@hotmail.com) on January 31, 2002 5:47 AM

...and it's for sale for something like 7 billion dollars.  Way overvalued for what you'll get.  Like a Lexus without the wheels, motor and the body.
Aw hell, they just suck.  
But what the hell, I'll chip in a couple of bucks.  Jack, what do we got in the coffers?  I'm sure MGM will deal with us.
Oh Jet, you want some of this action?  National distribution, road tours in America, martial arts "exhibitions" in schools across this great nation...

RE: MGM=sucks   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on January 31, 2002 7:53 AM

...Child molestion- whoops, did I say that out loud?

RE: MGM=sucks   reply

Posted by Jet Li (Wushu@hotmail.com) on January 31, 2002 8:15 AM

All jokes aside my American freinds: Martial Arts in this country are a joke. Let me keep this short by explaining in one such instance. The only way to achieve the level of "Black" belt in Karate is to be tested and approved in China by a master. Thousands of practionairs arrive every year to reach this grade, they come from all over Asia, Europe, Africa, and even Austraila, however, for whatever the reason, the U.S. and Americas in general think that they can just call themselves "masters". I have seen children wearing black belts at US Martial Arts Expo's, and that is just a slap in the face to Karate. There is no way in hell someone with less than 24 years of hard study and iron will could achieve this level. Often when entering a US dojo the teacher will claim to be a 3rd or 4th Dan, that's a mark that not even my masters who are in their 90's have come close to reaching. Sorry to bore you, but it really irritates me. Kung Fu fortunatley has not caught on in the US as well as some other military arts, but it to is taken as a joke. Thanks in part to Bruce Lee as well as others.

RE: crane stance rules   reply

Posted by power-trip (powertripz@hotmail.com) on January 31, 2002 3:00 PM

But Mr. Miyagi said I was a black belt, and he was a "Medal of Honor" winner during WWII.  Bet Jet can't beat him!

Hong-Kong-Fooey???   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on January 31, 2002 7:17 PM

Excuse me, but who really gives a rat's ass about this? Go break your hand on cement block and shut the hell up, Kung Pow!

RE: crane stance rules   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on February 1, 2002 1:57 AM

I know how to wax on and wax off.

RE: Karate Sux   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on February 2, 2002 12:49 AM

Kung Fu hasnt caught on in America because its too complicated for Americans to understand.  karate is easy compared to the real shaolin arts.  Im from china, I should know.  This is where all martial arts began.  
But it is true what you say about not being a master after only a few years practice.  In my country you never become a master until you are dead.  This symbolises that you can never learn enough and you will never reach your potential.  most of the original teachings have been lost so unfortunately we can never fully understand the highest arts, we can only refine what we have to make it more deadly in fighting situations, but the the true meaning and goal of martial arts is almost impossible to acquire.

Bond Member   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on February 5, 2002 6:23 AM

THe Spy Who Shagged Me is more of a rip off of the Spy Who Loved Me then  Goldfinger/Goldmember.  SAT question:
Shag is to Love AS Finger is to Member?
Zoyks!!

RE: Bond Member   reply

Posted by Jet Li (Wushu@hotmail.com) on February 5, 2002 11:52 AM

As our good freind Power Trip would say:

 Boo-Ya! ah ha ah a ha ah ha

RE: Bond Member   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on February 6, 2002 3:21 AM

A 'member' basically means a dick, therefore the movie being about an evil villain with a gold dick as opposed to a gold finger. Quite clever really.