Synopsis
In the year 2018 violence has been outlawed and corporations have replaced government as the ruling party following the demise of politics. With the absence of war or conflict, a forcibly passive population's bloodlust is satisfied by a brutal new sport known as Rollerball. A high-octane melding of the outlawed sports of the past, the worldwide phenomenon of Rollerball has resulted in a corporate-backed sensation. The most popular athlete in the world, Jonathan E. (James Caan) has steadily risen through the ranks to become a legendary veteran of the sport. When the corporate backers of Rollerball begin to fear that Jonathan's popularity has instilled him with a potentially dangerous amount of power, a thunderous struggle between man's free will and the oppression of the masses threatens to shatter the fragile strings that the puppet masters use to manipulate mankind. His determination to remain with the sport flying in the face of the very reason Rollerball was conceived, the corporate rulers hatch a plot to abandon the rules in hopes that Jonathan will be killed and their grip of power will remain an unyielding chokehold on an increasingly bloodthirsty populace.
What Critics Say
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Movie News
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"Rollerball" opening knocked back
The John McTiernan-directed remake of the 1975 cult classic Rollerball will be shoved from its Aug. 17 release date until the first quarter of 2002 by new MGM marketing and distribution chief Robert Levin, according to the Hollywood Reporter. Levin denied rumors that the move was made due to the film's poor quality or that McTiernan couldn't meet the post-production schedule. "It's not him; it's me," said Levin, who took over his position at MGM a week ago. McTiernan released a statement expressing support for Levin's decision. A firm release date will be disclosed later this week.
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ROLE CALL: Rebecca Plays 'Rollerball'
HOLLYWOOD, July 26, 2000 -- She was virtually silent as the shape-shifting mutant Mystique in "X-Men," but model-turned-actress Rebecca Romijn-Stamos impressed producers of the new "Rollerball" remake enough to get the starring female role. Romijn-Stamos will join other confirmed cast members in the futuristic sports flick, including Jean Reno, Chris Klein and LL Cool J, according to Daily Variety. The picture begins shooting this week in Montreal under the direction of John McTiernan.
JOINING THE 'PARTY': Variety reports that Parker Posey has joined the cast of "Anniversary Party," which begins shooting this week in Los Angeles. The film is being codirected and coscripted by Jennifer Jason Leigh and Alan Cumming and costars Phoebe Cates and Kevin Kline, among others. The film will be shot on digital video.