The Full List of "Crimes" Committed by Fox's Tom Rothman

[TMC1982]

Tom Rothman, is the current is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Fox Filmed Entertainment, the parent company of Twentieth Century Fox. Everywhere I go on the internet, when this guy is mentioned, it's always in a very negative light. For instance, under Rothman's watch, Fox's movies (particularly their summer blockbusters) are mandated to not run over two hours in order to fit in more theater showings (thus automatically guaranteeing more money).

Things that Fox under Tom Rothman's eye has been bashed for (as far as I know):
*Editing "Die Hard 4" to make it a PG-13 film even though the previous three, had been R-rated. This pretty much meant that Bruce Willis couldn't say John McClaine's trademark "Yippie-ki-ya, mother fucker!" line as it was fully intended.

*The mismanagement of the production for "X-Men 3". For instance:
**Not waiting for Bryan Singer to finish working on "Superman Returns", and not having a replacement director until I believe weeks before filming was due to start. And when a director is finally hired, it's Brett Ratner, who has grown a reputation for being a hack, douchbag, MTV music video, action director.

**Not waiting for several actors (e.g. James Marsden, Rebecca Romjin, and Anna Paquin) to take care of prior engagements before filming. For in the process, certain characters were "killed off" as a matter of convinence.

**Seemingly rushing the production as means of retailiating against Bryan Singer for heading off to make "Superman Returns" (which also opened in the summer of 2006).

**Tom Rothman also allegedly didn't want Sentinels (the gigantic, mutant hunting robots) appearing in an X-Men film because he believed that audiences would immediately think that giant robots appearing in live-action would be too "silly". This was of course, before "Transformers" (a movie for which Tom Rothman allegedly turned down) came out.

*Ordering Ridley Scott to edit his movie "Kingdom of Heaven" to make it look like a more formulaic action-adventure film, when Scott intended for it to be much deeper.

*Having "Daredevil" edited to make it appear more like a summer blockbuster (i.e. more CGI) in the mode of "Spider-Man". "Daredevil" was initially conceived as a more violent, R-rated film in the mold of Frank Miller's run with the comics.

*Not giving the "Fantastic Four" films a better budget, to go along with hiring Tim Story (who is primarily known as a comedic director rather than a sci-fi, action-adventure director) and aiming for a campy, cookie-cutter, sitcomy feel. Rothman also allegedly thought that it would be better for us to see Galactus as a cloud.

*Trashing plans for an "ID4" sequel.

*Browbeating "LXG" director Stephen Norrington until he quit the business altogether. Rothman also allegedly almost convinced "I, Robot" director Alex Proyas to give up filmmaking.

[Tish-the-Scorpion]

interestingly enough, alex proyas, david fincher, and stephen norrington all vowed to never work for fox again. whewther or not its because of rothman i have no dea.

[Siddon]

*molested the following hobo's, boxcar willie, boxcar sally, soupy sales

[maczero]

**Tom Rothman also allegedly didn't want Sentinels (the gigantic, mutant hunting robots) appearing in an X-Men film because he believed that audiences would immediately think that giant robots appearing in live-action would be too "silly".I'm probably going to get flamed for this but I support this decision. The tech in the previous 2 X-men films didn't seem to far beyond real world technology (ignores Magneto's magical mutant maker). I don't think we would be capable of mass producing semi-automonous 30 foot tall android robots in a couple of years. Although the rumor that X-3 would've had human sized sentinels works for me.

[Agent Helix]

onoes he rooned everthing

[Sean Walsh]

I'm probably going to get flamed for this but I support this decision. The tech in the previous 2 X-men films didn't seem to far beyond real world technology (ignores Magneto's magical mutant maker). I don't think we would be capable of mass producing semi-automonous 30 foot tall android robots in a couple of years. Although the rumor that X-3 would've had human sized sentinels works for me.

There was a Sentinel in the Danger Room sequence. And yeah, it looked lame (because I think they seemed to stick with the real world technology you mentioned)

That said, Rothman's comment about "giant robots in live action would look silly" alone earns him as much ridicule as humanly possible. Because as a little movie called TRANSFORMERS proved last summer, giant robots = lots of ****ing money.

[TradePaperbackTraitor]

*molested the following hobo's, boxcar willie, boxcar sally, soupy sales

..........LMAO!!

[blackdragon6]

i keep getting this rothman guy confused with that other guy at warner bros who wanted superman to have a gay robot side kick....lol. he also wanted a giant robot spider.







in hindsight superman returns probably did need a giant robot spider.

[Shellhead]

i keep getting this rothman guy confused with that other guy at warner bros who wanted superman to have a gay robot side kick...


C-3PO? Hmm... no.

[KenK]

i keep getting this rothman guy confused with that other guy at warner bros who wanted superman to have a gay robot side kick....lol. he also wanted a giant robot spider.







in hindsight superman returns probably did need a giant robot spider.

It also could have used those giant polar bears guarding the Fortress of Solitude, 'cause there's no excuse for Lex and his cronies to just be able to stroll on in!

[meethraa]

*Trashing plans for an "ID4" sequel.

For this reason alone, I forgive him of all his other "crimes".

[mattx110]

C-3PO? Hmm... no.
Ummm..... L-Ron, yes!

[Black Atom]

I'm probably going to get flamed for this but I support this decision. The tech in the previous 2 X-men films didn't seem to far beyond real world technology (ignores Magneto's magical mutant maker). I don't think we would be capable of mass producing semi-automonous 30 foot tall android robots in a couple of years. Although the rumor that X-3 would've had human sized sentinels works for me.

I agree. Real sentinels wouldn't have worked in the movie X-universe that had been established as of that point, nor would most of the more fantastic X-stories (which is also why an honest-to-goodness Phoenix saga wouldn't have worked either).

[SPAfreak]

There was a Sentinel in the Danger Room sequence. And yeah, it looked lame (because I think they seemed to stick with the real world technology you mentioned)

That said, Rothman's comment about "giant robots in live action would look silly" alone earns him as much ridicule as humanly possible. Because as a little movie called TRANSFORMERS proved last summer, giant robots = lots of ****ing money.

Actually that only proved that giant robots + a core audience steeped in nostalgia = giant piles of cash. The giant robots theory on its own hasn't really been tested to great success in recent years. Although giant robots + X-Men would have done well regardless.

[Ontir]

For instance, under Rothman's watch, Fox's movies (particularly their summer blockbusters) are mandated to not run under two hours in order to fit in more theater showings (thus automatically guaranteeing more money).

I think you meant to say "Not to run OVER 2 hours..." That's hardly groundbreaking. Exhibitors, more than studios, are big on a ninety minute limit, because it means they can turn the house over more quickly. That's critical in the opening weeks of a blockbuster, because they're getting a quarter of every dollar taken in.

*Editing "Die Hard 4" to make it a PG-13 film even though the previous three, had been R-rated. This pretty much meant that Bruce Willis couldn't say John McClaine's trademark "Yippie-ki-ya, mother fucker!" line as it was fully intended.

Actually, the rule is that the F-word can be used 2 times, but not 3 in a PG-13 film. The one exception being the American President because it was believed the film was too good a civics lesson to raise the rating.

*The mismanagement of the production for "X-Men 3".

For pretty ,much every reason you've listed under this heading, yes! "X-3" was an act of vengeance on Fox's part, and we paid the price.

*Ordering Ridley Scott to edit his movie "Kingdom of Heaven" to make it look like a more formulaic action-adventure film, when Scott intended for it to be much deeper.

Didn't know about that one - DIRECTOR'S CUT!!!

*Having "Daredevil" edited to make it appear more like a summer blockbuster (i.e. more CGI) in the mode of "Spider-Man". "Daredevil" was initially conceived as a more violent, R-rated film in the mold of Frank Miller's run with the comics.

This makes sense, especially given the director's cut.

*Not giving the "Fantastic Four" films a better budget, to go along with hirining Tim Story (who is primarily known as a comedic director rather than a sci-fi, action-adventure director) and aiming for a campy, cookie-cutter, sitcomy feel. Rothman also allegedly thought that it would be better for us to see Galactus as a cloud.

He should be flogged for the Fantastic Fiascos!

*Trashing plans for an "ID4" sequel.

Now here, he becomes my hero! ID4 was a major turd!

*Browbeating "LXG" director Stephen Norrington until he quit the business altogether. Rothman also allegedly almost convinced "I, Robot" director Alex Proyas to give up filmmaking.

That's too bad!

[JohnPopa]

For this reason alone, I forgive him of all his other "crimes".

I second your sentiment.

[brundlefly]

A movie studio executive as a myopic @$$hole who's only concerned with the bottom line and who drives away talented creators with his rageaholic abrasiveness?

Wow, what a shocker. My worldview has been forever altered by this revelation...

[hugh45]

I know Marvel can't wait to take back all of their property from FOX.

[Pixie_Solanas]

*Trashing plans for an "ID4" sequel.



He deserves a fat raise for this one alone.

[BoosterBronze]

I liked Independence Day, :(

[Pixie_Solanas]

I liked Independence Day, :(

Formulaic hokum brewed by the master of formulaic hokum (Roland Emmerich)? What's not to like?

[Legato]

*Trashing plans for an "ID4" sequel.



Saving us the trouble for having to sit through another ID4 trainwreck. I would call that the one good deed he has done.

[StoneGold]

At this point, I'm a little pissed off at him now for giving people the ability to think they're all clever and witty by saying at least he didn't greenlight ID5.

[Mike Pothier]

Didn't ID4 make truckloads of money? From an executive standpoint, that alone is enough to greenlight a sequel.

Besides, there have been good sequels to questionable movies.

Honestly, for all its flaws, ID4 was a good summer flick. I wasn't going into the theater expecting an acadamy award contender.

[Michael P]

He eats puppies. Raw.

[TMC1982]

i keep getting this rothman guy confused with that other guy at warner bros who wanted superman to have a gay robot side kick....lol. he also wanted a giant robot spider.







in hindsight superman returns probably did need a giant robot spider.

That's Jon Peters, who wanted the gay robotic sidekick and a giant robotic spider in a Superman film.

[EZMOHR]

I liked Independence Day, :(

Shhhhhh, Hipsters might hear you. They don't like people enjoying things.

[SnowTrooper]

That's Jon Peters, who wanted the gay robotic sidekick and a giant robotic spider in a Superman film.

Yeah, Kevin Smith trashed him bad on his Evening With DVD. Funny story.

As for all the X3 stuff, I completely agree. X3 was a huge letdown compared to X2 and theres no excuse for that movie being as bad as it was.

ID4 dosent seem like it would need a sequel. What, the aliens come back on July 4th again? Seems a little too out there for me.

[meethraa]

At this point, I'm a little pissed off at him now for giving people the ability to think they're all clever and witty by saying at least he didn't greenlight ID5.

I'm clever and witty for many reasons, stating the obvious is not one of them.

[meethraa]

Shhhhhh, Hipsters might hear you. They don't like people enjoying things.

Remind me to use this quote next time you thrash a movie I happen to like :tongue:

[JCAll]

I liked Independance Day. Not sure how a sequel would work, but it was a great popcorn flick in the same vein as Godzilla. Which is the only movie I see catch more flak.

[pariah-1972]

Every movie needs a gay robot sidekick.

And yes someone please kill Tom Rothman for driving away Bryan Singer and making a crappy follow up with a lame producer.

[Royal]

Every movie needs a gay robot sidekick.


Dibs on Tom Cruise.

[pariah-1972]

Dibs on Tom Cruise.No you didnt !

[rick]

*Browbeating "LXG" director Stephen Norrington until he quit the business altogether. Rothman also allegedly almost convinced "I, Robot" director Alex Proyas to give up filmmaking.


Well he can't be all bad if these last two are true.

[Jared]

Before LXG Stephen Norrington was the man who made Blade, so that is a shame .

But I can forgive alot of the Superman/X-Men stuff, mainly because X-Men 3 came out alot better than Superman Returns. Eat it, Singer!

[TMC1982]

*Fox screwing with the edit of "Hitman", firing then-director Xavier Gans, and then going back to reshoot certain scenes with a new director.

*Trying to ruin the first "X-Men" movie by cutting down budget and moving the release date from November 2000 to May 2000. "X2"'s budget got cut down too.

"Said no to "Alien 5" by James Cameron and Ridley Scott because "We have a good script for "AvP"!"

*Tim Burton's "Planet of the Apes" remake being rushed into production. This resulted in Burton's comment "I'd rather jump out of a window than do "Planet of the Apes 2"."

[BoosterBronze]

*Trying to ruin the first "X-Men" movie by cutting down budget and moving the release date from November 2000 to May 2000. "X2"'s budget got cut down too.

*Tim Burton's "Planet of the Apes" remake being rushed into production. This resulted in Burton's comment "I'd rather jump out of a window than do "Planet of the Apes 2"."

Since X2 was freaking awesome, maybe he wasn't so off base on this one?

And since Burton's Ape fick was so unwatchably lame, maybe this isn't so bad either.

[Tish-the-Scorpion]

That's Jon Peters, who wanted the gay robotic sidekick and a giant robotic spider in a Superman film.yeah jon peters is worse!!!

[Tish-the-Scorpion]

Well he can't be all bad if these last two are true.um yes he is!!!

[pariah-1972]

I would much rather see a "gay" robot sidekick and a giant robotic spider in a Superman movie than the crap that we got in Superman Returns.

[Slam_Bradley]

I would much rather see a "gay" robot sidekick and a giant robotic spider in a Superman movie than the crap that we got in Superman Returns.


I suppose it might have helped. I was so bored that I turned it off half-way through and never had a desire to finish watching it.

[EZMOHR]

Remind me to use this quote next time you thrash a movie I happen to like :tongue:

Listen I like ID4....I probablly have no right to trash any movie.