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Dean Devlin Talks About the Failure of His ‘Godzilla’ 1998 Script

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One of the more interesting conversations I had while covering the red carpet at the Saturn Awards in Los Angeles last night was with Dean Devlin (there to receive the Dr. Donald A. Reed Award for career achievement), the writer/producer who collaborated with director Roland Emmerich on three ’90s films that enjoyed varying degrees of success: 1994’s Stargate, a modest international hit; the 1996 mega-blockbuster Independence Day; and the critically-reviled/commercially under-performing (though still profitable) Godzilla in 1998.

Given that Legendary Pictures is now re-booting the Godzilla franchise with Monsters director Gareth Edwards at the helm, I was curious what Devlin’s thoughts were on the new venture. See his pretty interesting response inside….


I’m happy,” he told me. “First of all, one of the people at Legendary involved with it is Bill Fay, who was one of the producers with me on the last version. You know, to get another shot at getting that one right, I understand why they want to do it, and I really hope…the best [for them]. I hope they get it right.

Many fans of the giant-monster franchise would likely agree with Devlin, given the bad taste that was left in the collective mouth of the moviegoing public following what most view as he and Emmerich’s failed attempt at bringing the reptilian behemoth to cinematic life (hardcore fans still often refer to the film as “GINO”, i.e. “Godzilla In Name Only”).

Listen, I think there’s a lot of wonderful stuff in that movie, I really do,” he said in the film’s defense. “[But] I think the problem with that movie was the script I wrote. I think Roland did an amazing job directing it, I think the actors are great, I think when people look back now on the Blu-ray and see the visual effects, it’s a lot better than what people said at the time. The problem was the script! I made some big errors in that script. I wish I hadn’t, I wish I had a chance to fix it. But in another way, it’s allowed me to be a better writer since, because I made the mistakes on one, and I realized I’m never gonna make those mistakes again!

Sure, at 13 years removed from the project it’s a little easier to speak to its failures, but nevertheless, Devlin’s willingness to take the blame for the film’s shortcomings (which isn’t totally fair, but okay) was kind of refreshing.

Sympathizing with him a bit, I noted that it must be a whole lot harder when your career failures are broadcast on such an enormous public stage. To that, Devlin could only offer the following (unintentionally – I think – evoking the film’s infamous tagline): “If you’re gonna fail, fail big!

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‘Late Night With the Devil’ – Exclusive Clip Begins the Supernatural Horror on Halloween 1977

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The upcoming Late Night With the Devil is one of the most buzzed about horror movies of the year, currently 100% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes and earning rave reviews from both Stephen King and Kevin Smith. King raves that the film is “absolutely brilliant,” adding that he couldn’t take his eyes off it. Smith comments, “I love it. It’s Rosemary’s Baby meets Network.”

David Dastmalchian (Dune, The Suicide Squad) stars as the host of a late-night talk show that descends into a nightmare in the Ghostwatch and WNUF Halloween Special-inspired film.

IFC Films & Shudder will release the hotly anticipated Late Night with the Devil theatrically on March 22 before it heads to Shudder exclusively on April 19, 2024.

Begin the horror with a brand new EXCLUSIVE clip below…

David Dastmalchian stars as Jack Delroy, the charismatic host of “Night Owls,” and the film traces the ill-fated taping of a live Halloween special in 1977 plagued by a demonic presence.

The energetic and innovative feature hails from Australian writing-directing team Colin and Cameron Cairnes (100 Bloody Acres, Scare Campaign). 

The film premiered last year at SXSW. Meagan wrote in her review out of the fest, “Late Night with the Devil captures the chaotic energy of a late night show, embracing the irreverent comedy and stress of live television with a pastiche style. It’s a clever trojan horse for a surprising horror movie that goes full throttle on unhinged demonic mayhem.

“The ingenuity, the painstaking period recreation, a riveting performance by Dastmalchian, and a showstopper of a finale make for one Halloween event you won’t want to miss.”

Spooky Pictures founders Roy Lee (It, The Grudge, The Ring) and Steven Schneider (Pet Sematary, Paranormal Activity, Insidious), Derek Dauchy (“Al Kameen”) and Future Pictures’ Mat Govoni (“Lone Wolf”) and Adam White (“Lone Wolf”) and John Molloy are all producing.

Joel Anderson (Lake Mungo), Rami Yasin, and David Dastmalchian executive produce.

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