https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4ntlOztWJI It isnt clear why WWE thought its core audience would be interested in a coming-of-age drama set in 1965 about a red-haired social outcast and a teacher accused of inappropriately touching his students. Even though it features WWE star Randy Orton in a glorified cameo (in which he exclaims the line Ill go to the papers if I have to! which was ridiculed from the moment the trailer was released), it has nothing to do with wresting or is even remotely related to the film genres that normally interest wrestling fans. Even with stars Ed Harris and Amy Madigan the movie received little attention, though with a 60% rating on Rotten Tomatoes it is one of WWE Studios most positively-reviewed releases. The movie made $6,400 from its limited three-day release in 10 U.S. theatres, and the subsequent weak DVD sales resulted in WWE Studios taking a $5 million loss. Thats What I Am writer/director Michael Pavone ended up making the WWE Studios action movie The Reunion, which (as you just learned) almost lost as much money as Thats What I Am. Pavone has not directed another film since, though he concluded his long association with WWE Studios by producing another money-loser, Barricade. He probably isnt missed by the company.
Chris McKittrick is a published author of fiction and non-fiction and has spoken about film and comic books at conferences across the United States. In addition to his work at WhatCulture!, he is a regular contributor to CreativeScreenwriting.com, MovieBuzzers.com, and DailyActor.com, a website focused on acting in all media. For more information, visit his website at http://www.chrismckit.com.