Breaking news: The third installment of Tom Six's Human Centipede saga -- which the director promised would see 500 human beings stitched together... in America! -- may be in trouble. According to reports cobbled together through press releases and Twitter missives from Six and his Human Centipede star, Dieter Laser, the German actor took issue with certain script elements, causing him to walk. Six says he'll sue. Will the script and contract issues be resolved in time to get the erstwhile Dr. Heiter on set for the shoot, commencing later this year? WILL THE PEOPLE OF EARTH GET THE HUMAN CENTIPEDE THREEQUEL THEY WANT DESERVE DREAD??
On closer examination, Laser's statement explaining why he parted ways with Six actually seems fairly reasonable. That said, what does it mean that Laser claims to be a method actor? *Shudder* Read Laser's statement, via Best Movies Ever Screen Read:
"It’s very simple: I loved the story when it was told, got the contract and the promise to have the script in 4 to 6 weeks. When it arrived – half a year later and only after the official announcement – I didn’t like the realization at all, couldn’t identify with the character the way it was written and developed immediately and enthusiastically in a day and night marathon a version full of concrete and practical suggestions which would enable me to play the lead full throttle – same procedure as with Dr. Heiter – but this time it also would have had some unavoidable effects to the dramatic structure. That was too much for Tom and since he couldn’t live with my suggestions and I as a method actor couldn’t identify with his version, I told him that I couldn’t see any other way than that he would have to 'change horses.' That’s it."
Of course, there is the pesky business of legal contracts to contend with. And since Six's vision involves both Dr. Heiter and Human Centipede 2's Martin, I can't imagine Six will let Laser walk without a lot of trouble. This ought to make for a harmonious set. Six Tweeted the following earlier today:
Of course, it's entirely possible, given the self-reflexive nature of The Human Centipede 2 (in which Six and HC1 star Ashlynn Yennie play themselves as the focus of an obsessed Human Centipede fan) that this is all part of some weird meta-narrative in which Six plays himself sparring with his star in real life to frame whatever shenanigans go down in The Human Centipede 3. Method acting and Hollywood industry inside talk would fit into the U.S.-centric theme, I suppose.
What do you think, Movieliners: Publicity stunt or legit creative difference?
[Bleeding Cool via The Playlist]