Now that it's been half a year since the release of Judge Dredds second feature film on the big screen I've wondered all this time why it truly didn't do well at the box office. Many people years ago were completely up in arms at what they called a debacle of a film which was simply titled Judge Dredd. They complained very much at the fact that the film was nothing more than another run of the mill action flick just being used to showcase it's lead star. Hardly any part of the films scenery resembled what fans loved about reading the comics. The characters themselves barely gave off any familiarity to what they was supposed to look like. The biggest problem of all that truly pissed fans off was seen as the most minor offense to average movie goers who didn't know the character. Dredd throughout most of the film kept his face exposed for everyone to see which is something face covered heroes are never supposed to do especially Judge Joseph Dredd.
One of the rarest sights. Dredd with his helmet on. Don't expect it to last though.
Interestingly enough it was said that Arnold Schwarzenegger was originally requested for the role, but declined because in the original script, Dredd would keep the helmet on during major parts of the film. In the comic, he very rarely removes his helmet, and even then his real face is never revealed. Also the writers largely omitted the ironic humour of the comic strip, and ignored important aspects of the "Dredd mythology". With all the negative feedback the film recieved from both fans, and critics alike it became a commercial and critical failure. In a 2008 interview he gave Sylvester Stallone discussed his feelings about the movie. To sum it all up he basically said how much he actually liked the stories overall direction, but also acknowledged how right the fans were about their problems with the finished product. He just saw it as a missed opportunity to really present a true "authentic" comic book look and feel to a project that really meant something to a lot of people.
See. What did I tell you.
Now after so many years of having that horrible display (according to the fans) and hardly any word about redeeming the characters good name, it was thought that we would never have Dredd grace his presence on the big screen again. Never say never I always say, because in 2012 that's exactly what happened. Four months before the year ended the Judge made his triumphant (I use that word very loosely) return to movie theaters for fans who hated his previous release, and to attract a brand new audience. Unfortunately for Joseph his return wasn't any better than his departure last time. Although people actually got what they so desperately wanted from the last film (better visual effects, casting and action) the overall upgrade fell on deaf ears as this movie also was a failure. Even more so than the Stallone picture seeing as that movie actually made a significant amount more cash than this one.
It doesn't matter which one you choose. The franchise is still dead in the water.
How is that possible when the fans actually received what they always wanted. Well I finally came to the conclusion (not just now it was actually months ago), and figured out that was the problem right there in front of my face all along.......................the fans! The very same reason why this version of the franchise was filmed the way it was is what ultimately led to its downfall. There's just simply not enough people to support this character oversees. Judge Dredd's popularity started in the very same place he was originally created..............Britain. That's where most of his fans are situated, and that won't cut it if you're trying to market a character to a worldwide audience. His popularity doesn't really extend further out beyond the European region. Not to mention he's not even supported by either of the "Big 2" comic publishers which in, and of itself is hard to survive without those two backing you up. It really didn't help the film either when the overall criticism from professionals was about a perceived lack of the satirical elements that were always found in the source comic and the excessive violence the movie constantly displayed.