Rollerball (2002 film)

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Rollerball
Rollerball promotional poster
Directed by	John McTiernan
Produced by	John McTiernan Charles Roven Beau St. Clair
Written by	Larry Ferguson John Pogue
Starring	Chris Klein Jean Reno LL Cool J Rebecca Romijn-Stamos Naveen Andrews
Music by	Julianne Jordan Laura Z. Wasserman
Distributed by	Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (USA) Sony Pictures Entertainment (non-USA)
Release date(s)	February 8, 2002 (USA)
Running time	98 min.
Language	English
Budget	$70,000,000
IMDb profile

Rollerball was a 2002 remake of the 1975 science fiction film of the same name. This updated 'remake' of the film was directed by John McTiernan and has a much greater concentration on action and more muted social and political overtones. Unlike the first film, it takes place in the present rather than a seemingly utopian future.

The film starred Chris Klein, LL Cool J, Jean Reno and Rebecca Romijn-Stamos. Former World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) personality Paul Heyman stars as an announcer and Shane McMahon, son of WWE owner Vince McMahon, can be seen in one scene.There is a concert scene in which the metal band Slipknot plays the song "I Am Hated" from their album Iowa.

Upon its release, the film met with harsh critical disdain and poor box-office returns. As a guest on Late Night with Conan O'Brien, LL Cool J admitted that the film "sucked."

[edit] Trivia

The film received a PG-13 rating in the theaters. The DVD release included cleaned up special effects, more blood and much more nudity. This version was given an R rating.

Chris Klein elected to star in this film as opposed to reprising his role as Chris "Oz" Ostreicher in American Wedding. He predicted American Wedding would be a flop but ironically, Rollerball flopped in the box office while American Wedding proved to be a success.