The Big Flop Battlefield Earth: John Travolta’s $75 Million Sci-Fi Disaster with Cassie Willson and Katie Marovitch | 96
Jul 14, 2025
Cassie Willson and Katie Marovitch, co-stars of the improvised Regency comedy podcast Bitcherton, join in a hilarious critique of John Travolta's infamous 'Battlefield Earth.' They explore the film's absurdity, touching on its bizarre plot twists and the challenges of adapting L. Ron Hubbard's work. The conversation dives into Travolta's career, the connection to Scientology, and the film's bizarre promotional tactics. With humor and insight, they reflect on what went wrong and what filmmakers can learn from this cinematic disaster.
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Travolta's Scientology Journey
- John Travolta joined Scientology early in his career after being introduced to it during film work.
- His involvement influenced his later pursuit of adapting L. Ron Hubbard's novel Battlefield Earth into a movie.
Battlefield Earth's Complex Premise
- Battlefield Earth is a massive, complex sci-fi novel set 1000 years after an alien invasion.
- The story's scale and complexity made it challenging to adapt into a successful film.
Tarantino Revives Travolta
- Quentin Tarantino revived Travolta's career by casting him in Pulp Fiction.
- Despite low pay, the role earned Travolta critical acclaim and renewed industry respect.
