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Have you ever taken a moment to consider the sheer effort required by an actor to transform into a beloved character, when the stakes are astronomically high? Canadian actor Justin Chatwin, 41, embarked on such an odyssey, enduring intense physical training and delving deeply into the character of Goku that millions hold dear.
DespiteDragonball Evolutionmeeting with less than stellar reception, the actor’s earlier interview reveals the grueling workouts that he endured.Since its 2009 release, James Wong’sDragonball: Evolutionhas consistently caused dissatisfaction among fans of the franchise.
But even though the anime is a huge fan favorite that practically everyone enjoys, its first and only live-action adaptation ofDragon Ballto date, which starred Chatwin in the lead role (Goku), fell short of expectations.
For the fans, the film was an obvious snub to theDragon Ballseries. However, little was known about the challenges Chatwin faced during the adaptation.
Behind the Scenes: Justin Chatwin’s Painful Transformation into Goku
As Dragon Ball fans, we all have a soft spot for the beloved character Goku. Thus, there was a flurry of excitement when it was announced that Hollywood wasproducing a live-actionDragonball Evolutionadaptation. However, when the movie hit theaters in 2009 and starredJustin Chatwinas Goku, the reception didn’t seem to be very positive.
“They didn’t really listen to me”: Akira Toriyama Was Heartbroken With Hollywood’s Unforgivable Dragon Ball Movie After Trying to Save it Desperately
Chatwin’s portrayal of Goku was heavily criticized by fans and critics alike, with many labeling him as the most hated Goku in the history of the franchise.The Gazette, for instance,believed that the actor was miscast for the role of Goku and that James Wong, the director, did a poor job of capturing the“frenetic sense of the anime”adaptation in the action scenes, making them difficult to follow.
However, what many people overlook is that creating Goku for the big screen required Chatwin to endure a grueling and agonizing process.He previously shared in an interview withCinemathat he had to go through the following, in order, to truly play Goku:
“I’ve got war wounds from Dragonball because it was a very physical role. I would go home with bruises every night, but I wouldn’t change a thing. I have seven scars on my hand from different films. Some people get tattoos, but I get scars.”
The spirit of adventure is at the heart of every great anime, film, comic, etc. Goku is a brave hero who enjoys taking on new, challenging tasks and growing stronger and wiser with each adventure.
The issue was that the enjoyment and adventure were too complicated and hampered by mistakes and inaccuracies for fans to genuinely appreciate.Dragonball: Evolutioncould have been a much better film if a little more work had gone into developing the plot and putting more of an emphasis on Goku’s travels and adventures. Because ofits“cobbled-together FX fakery”and“aimlessly hyperactive construction and complete lack ofsubstance”,SlantMagazinedeemed the movie“uninspired”.
“This has to be the Worst kamehameha in Dragon Ball z history”: Justin Chatwin’s Goku Was Not the Worst Thing From Dragon Ball Live-Action Movie
Furthermore, despite a $30 million budget, it only made $9.4 million in North America and $56.5 million globally (seeThe Numbers).
Justin Chatwin’s Apology for Disastrous Adaptation in Honor of Akira Toriyama
Following the passing of Dragon Ball creatorAkira Toriyama, actorJustin Chatwinhas expressed regretfor the terrible 2009 live-actionDragonball Evolution.Not only did the actor, 41, pay tribute to Toriyama, but he also felt obliged to issue a brief apology for making such a poorly done film.
In honor of Toriyama, the actor posted the following on his Instagram Story (viaComicbook):
“Rest in Peace Brother. And sorry we messed up that adaptation so badly.”
Numerous popular franchise reimaginings either succeed or fail based on the response of the original creator. Toriyamadid not exactly greetDragonball Evolutionwith open arms, as many other writers and artists have done over the years.In a 2013 interview, Toriyama toldAsahi Shimbunthat he had felt the script was “bland” and uninteresting, failing to“capture the world or the characteristics” of his series. As such, he issued a warning and offered suggestions for improvements.
“Sorry we messed up so badly”: Goku Actor Apologizing to Akira Toriyama After His Death For Dragon Ball Evolution’s Failure is Heartbreaking For Fans
While Justin Chatwin may go down in history as one of the most despised Gokus, he should also be praised for the difficult process of portraying the iconic character.Dragonball Evolutionmay have been ill-fated, but the actor’s commitment to the role should not go unnoticed.
Dragonball Evolutioncan be rented on Amazon Video.
Siddhika Prajapati
Senior Journalist & Content Head
Articles Published :3310
With over 3,300 articles carved into the digital walls of FandomWire, Siddhika Prajapati excels at creating, curating, and elevating engaging stories. She takes pride in giving these stories a home and, of course, she’s got a Google Knowledge Panel to prove it!Whether it’s reviewing the latest drop on Netflix, Amazon Prime, or Apple TV+, or analyzing the cultural echoes of a streaming hit on Paramount+ or Max, Siddhika is always writing three steps ahead of the discourse.
