UPDATED BELOW!
Let’s all bow our heads and have a moment of silence, as the HUMAN CENTIPEDE got a little shorter today…
In a development that throws a snag into the production of THE HUMAN CENTIPEDE 3, actor Dieter Laser (who played the nefarious doctor in the first film and was set to star in the third entry) has evidently walked away from the project, after apparently deciding that the script was not to his liking.
In response, director Tom Six has had to delay shooting, which will now take place at the end of this year as opposed to later this spring. Not to worry, though – he’s going to keep himself busy by suing his former star.
Here’s a small press release issued by producer Ilona Six – via Best News Ever – that tells the tale (from Team Six’s viewpoint):
Because of the success of The Human Centipede, it seems that Mr Dieter Laser’s ego has grown to laughably big proportions. First signing the contract and rating the THC3 script as fantastic ,and then demanding his own unacceptable script changes, and now refusing to play the part only seven weeks prior to shooting. Six Entertainment Company will start legal action against Dieter Laser. Tom Six says not to worry – principal
photography will be postponed and will take place later this year.
Best Regards, Ilona Six
Six himself took to his Twitter account to rant a little:
BREAKING NEWS: MY COMPANY WILL SUE ACTOR DIETER LASER!!! WORDWIDE PRESS RELEASE WILL FOLLOW SHORTLY
An actor who demands his own script changes which I as the THC creator didnt like. It was his way or the highway after he signed a contract!
Who knew that the world of HUMAN CENTIPEDE would have such drama? Prior to today it seemed like such a harmonious place… I guess we can only pray that common sense (and decency) will prevail so that the final installment to this charming franchise can get underway and delight the world next year.
UPDATE: Under The Gun Review got Laser’s side of the story:
“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.”