UNIVERSAL SOLDIER: REGENERATION (John Hyams, 2009)

[Jox]

Interview with director of photography Peter Hyams over at VanDammeFan.net
http://thevandammefans.vandammefan.net/ ... hp?t=10557

JU: And now we come back to you working on a JC film with “Universal Soldier: Regeneration”—a film that is directed by your son, John Hyams and you as director of photography. What can you tell us about this sequel?
PH: John did a brilliant job of making it completely different than the previous films. He knows a great deal about mixed martial arts, having spent two years making a wonderful documentary that was on HBO called “The Smashing Machine”. He made the fight scenes truly savage and brutal.

JU: The trailer came out just the other day and the response is mostly positive. Many fans are just happy to see the movie look like what the first sequel should have looked like. Did you assist your son in putting the trailer together (i.e. give him any pointers, with this being his first big movie)?
PH: None at all.

JU: What were some of the challenges in filming this movie?
PH: It was shot in Bulgaria, in the middle of winter. The first challenge was not dying of the cold. John is a very ambitious film- maker…and he would never take the easy way. He wanted to elevate the film…and frankly…I think he succeeded.

JU: What was it like working with your son? Describe for us a day in the life of working with your son on the set of “Universal Soldier: Regeneration.”
PH: John’s birthday occurred during shooting. I got him a watch, and inscribed on the back: “happy birthday boss”. That about says it. He was the director. He was the boss. Many, many times, he would tell me to change what I was doing. He was open to suggestions… however…he had a very clear idea of what he wanted…and my job was to help him get that. I cherish the chance I had to spend every day with him, because he is such a gifted and interesting man.

JU: Being quite a while since you last worked with JC, what did you think of working with him on this movie?
PH: In the first place…my role on this film was completely different than when I made the two previous films with him. I was much more in the background. His focus was on John…and most of the dialogue between the two of them was out of my ear-shot. John had his respect. I had this history with him…so he was very affectionate and kind with me. However, as I said, John was the Alpha on the set…I was most definitely Beta.

JU: The movie introduces many to Andre Arlovski. How was he in his first movie role?
PH: I think Andre was terrific. He was also a wonderful presence on the set. He loved John, and it was mutual. For the life of me…after being around him…and seeing his strength, speed, and size….I can’t understand anyone wanting to get in a ring with him.

[Jox]

This will make some of you breathe again, I just received this from Dolph himself:

"There's a new US3 poster that looks very cool"

[dolphage]

This will make some of you breathe again, I just received this from Dolph himself:

"There's a new US3 poster that looks very cool"

Hate to say I told you so...

(actually I love to say I told you so, it massages my ego)

[Moltisanti]

Looks like this will be the "official" cover:



Better than the photo that popped up a few weeks ago. Lundgren doesn't look as pale and sickly. Surprised Arlovski has first billing, even if he has more screen time.

[UNISOL W7]

I have always knew that the previous one was just a draft...that's why I never posted it on Jean-Claude's official profile!
It looks good with the colors and Photoshop work, but I believe Sony has better pictures for JC to use than this one. Also, Dolph's place needed to get bigger space a lil' bit. Overall, it is fine.

Looks like this will be the "official" cover:



Better than the photo that popped up a few weeks ago. Lundgren doesn't look as pale and sickly. Surprised Arlovski has first billing, even if he has more screen time.

[Travis]

The Official cover looks great.

[dolphage]

Dolph got second billing? And JC third? Didn't see that coming.

[UNISOL W7]

It's only a new style of the credit order! JCVD and DL are still the mega-stars of the saga.

Dolph got second billing? And JC third? Didn't see that coming.

[dolphage]

It's only a new style of the credit order! JCVD and DL are still the mega-stars of the saga.

Do you mean that JC and DL are bigger action stars in general (because, of course they are) or do you mean that the order of the names will be changed to have JC or first and Dolph second and Arlovski third?

Because, getting your name first (top billing) is a big deal in the movie business, it's not an arbitrary decision who goes on first.

[Tom]

That looks a lot better. It still isn't great though. I hate the background pic they have. But the layout and shots of the three stars is fine.

[Krom]

It's not the greatest cover, but at least looks better and Dolph looks the BEST!

[Nathan]

Will just say what I said on the JC forum:

-----------------------------------


Compared to the last one, this one is much, much better. Sure, it still looks DTV and a little cartoony but Van Damme has a lot more detail on him, the clothes are better as are the eyes. Dolph looks like he is about to charge straight out of the front cover, haha. He's looking quite mean. The guy with the eye piece is a little cheap but better with than without in my opinion. At least there are no helicopters or explosions, even if they are in the movie, it's nice to see a cover with different colours. The tagline is quite good, creates some hype. The names are fine, put Andrei first, but why is JC last? No offense but Dolph should be last... I reckon as someone said before, that JC wanted to be credited last... what other explanation is there? He is on the front and in the centre, he is on the spine.... think about it.

But yeah, this is much better, doesn't really do a Unisol movie justice but I'm glad they changed the cover. It's pretty cool.

[dolphage]

The names are fine, put Andrei first, but why is JC last? No offense but Dolph should be last...

Judas

[Mosquito]

It looks good, better than everything else we've seen so far. Regarding that billing: Where do your eyes wander first? Mine went to the middle where Dolph's name is.

[Nathan]

The names are fine, put Andrei first, but why is JC last? No offense but Dolph should be last...

Judas

Hahahahahaha, sorry mate, I do think he's the best on the cover though. I also still think there's some legal bullshit going on here, any other day of the week and Sony would have Van Damme's name being the most prominent thing on the cover, next to their usual obligatory exploding chopper, but I reckon JC didn't want that. Either way, it's nice to see they bothered their lazy asses to change it. Now I reckon someone get's First Look or "Don't Want to Fucking Look Studios" to do the same, otherwise we will have to dress Dolph up as Andrew Scott and send him round there with an M-16.