Operation Clambake

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Cinescape
July 29, 1999

Travolta Talks 'Battlefield Earth'

John Travolta is talking up his big screen adaptation of L. Ron Hubbard's book Battlefield Earth confirming rumors of potential sequels. While talking to the Canadian Press, the actor revealed that the film project doesn't really have anything to do with his Scientology beliefs insisting that the reason he chose to make a film version was because it's "a great science-fiction book."

Travolta then explains the difficulty of bringing the book to film saying, "It's been a big undertaking because it's a 1,000-page book." Travolta then revealed that the plan is to only adapt the first half of the book to film with hopeful plans of shooting the second part as a potential sequel. This information would seem to confirm information provided to the Insider that various cast members had contracts that included sequel participation riders. Read that Insider story by clicking here.

Travolta also spoke of the role he's playing in the film, saying, "He's nine feet tall. He's got talons for hands, long hair, an extended head. But you'll still recognize me."

The film's story is about an alien species that has control of the Earth and humanity as well as attempting to thwart or crush any potential resistance. Travolta plays the part of the alien chief of security. The actor also compares what he sees as being the book's theme with modern day society saying, "It's kind of about what's happening on Planet Earth. You've got your criminal elements, your good guys, the search for gold . . . when you see it, you're going to see some parallels."

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