Jack Black Just Might Be Waterworld's Biggest Fan
"Waterworld" is almost universally regarded as one of the biggest movie flops of all time (just don't let Kevin Costner catch you saying that). The movie was made with an absolutely massive budget. I'm talking about a "GDP of a small nation" budget of around 175 million dollars. Even though the film actually managed to earn back its budget in combined domestic and international box office earnings, the reputation of it as a massive flop has lingered like a pungent smell, making anybody who even speaks about the movie crinkle their nose.
However, there may be one man whose nose is blind to the stench of "Waterworld." Jack Black, of "School of Rock" and "Kung Fu Panda" fame, absolutely loves "Waterworld." Black actually had a role in the film, which I'm sure you probably forgot, if you were aware at all. He plays a Smoker pilot who pursues the film's protagonists in some of its signature odd seaplane action sequences. He wasn't exactly one of the stars, but he played his part as a cheesy little villain.
Now, nobody would blame Black for taking a role in a bad movie, as it was early in his career and, hey, a man's gotta eat. But even despite the film's rancid reputation, Black has remained loyal in his affection for the movie, flaws and all. To this day, he remains an avid fan of both the film and his time acting in it.
Put it on his tombstone!
We live in a world where Christian Bale says his favorite movie is "Beverly Hills Ninja," so I'm not going to be surprised by any actor's movie opinions anymore. So, with an open mind and great interest, I read Newsweek's 2015 oral history of "Waterworld," where Black talks about what drew him to the movie as an actor.
"The script was badass. It was like a wet Road Warrior. And it was shooting in Hawaii!"
With Black's signature enthusiasm, he makes some compelling points. While "Wet Road Warrior" isn't the best film name in the world, it certainly gets my attention. And who could turn down some time filming in Hawaii? A young actor getting a chance to hang out in a tropical paradise while making a movie with Kevin Costner surely produced some awesome life-long memories.
But even after the film was released to mass disappointment, Black still maintained his love for the picture. When asked about his immediate reaction to the final product, Black simply said, "Nailed it."
"Waterworld" probably isn't a project many of the people who worked on it are super publicly proud of. It's refreshing that Black is unabashedly happy with his work on the movie, and is unafraid to let his affection be known by all.
"We crushed it, bro. I'm still trying to shake it. That's what it's going to say on my tombstone: Jack 'Post-Apocalyptic Seaplane Pilot' Black."
If there's anything you can take away from this all, it's that you should find someone who loves you as much as Jack Black loves "Waterworld." We all deserve it.