The Return of Billy Jack

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The Return of Billy Jack
Directed by Tom Laughlin
Written byTom Laughlin
Produced byTom Laughlin
StarringTom Laughlin
Delores Taylor
Rodney Harvey
CinematographyRobert Saad
Edited byRaja Gosnell
Nicholas C. Smith
Release dates
Unreleased (filmed in 1985 and 1986)
Country United States
Language English

The Return of Billy Jack is an unfinished movie. The film starred Tom Laughlin (who also directed), reprising his role as Billy Jack, and co-starred Rodney Harvey and Delores Taylor. The film was produced from December 1985 to early 1986 in New York City (with some scenes filmed in Central Park), with additional scenes filmed in Toronto.

Contents

Plot

Billy Jack takes on child pornographers in New York City.

Production

During the course of its filming, Laughlin suffered a head injury when a breakaway bottle malfunctioned while filming a scene in Toronto. By the time he recovered, funds to complete the film were depleted, and production never resumed. Laughlin originally planned to sell the film to a major studio, but plans either fell through or were never realized. [1] [2] At the time production stopped, only approximately 15 minutes of the motion picture had been filmed.

In addition, while filming was taking place in New York City, Laughlin broke up a street fight on Manhattan's West Side [3] and made a citizen's arrest of a man following an argument over Laughlin's driving. [4]

Attempted revivals

Despite The Return of Billy Jack being unfinished, Laughlin attempted to make another Billy Jack film. [5] In 2002 Laughlin made a deal with Intermedia for the rights to make yet another sequel, however that endeavor ended in a lawsuit, with the rights reverting back to Laughlin in 2004 [5] Laughlin died on December 12, 2013. [6]

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References

  1. Rhodes, Lucien (1 Dec 1987). "The Return Of Billy Jack". Inc. Magazine. Retrieved 7 May 2011.
  2. "Actor Hurt During Filming". The Gainesville Sun. February 7, 1986. Retrieved February 19, 2010.
  3. United Press International (August 28, 1986). "Life Imitates Art: Billy Jack Saves Downtrodden—From Further Abuse". The Chicago Tribune. Retrieved February 19, 2010.
  4. "Billy Jack Character Lives, Makes Arrest". The Montreal Gazette. May 5, 1986. Retrieved February 19, 2010.
  5. 1 2 "Billy Jack Is Ready to Fight the Good Fight Again". The New York Times . June 20, 2005. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
  6. Barrineau, Trey (December 15, 2013). "'Billy Jack' Star Tom Laughlin Dies". USA Today . Retrieved February 28, 2017.