Wednesday, Oct 8, 2008    Text size: 

The tour launched last week at events hosted at Hustler Hollywood stores with the first stop at the Sunset Strip store in Hollywood, Calif., followed by an appearance the next night at the Hustler store in San Diego, Calif. Both events had record turnouts for a new title release.

The line of fans waiting for autographs at the Hollywood signing went from one end of the store to the other; reminiscent of the crowds that flocked to events for the original “Pirates” movie, released by DP in 2005.

“What an amazing start to our ‘Pirates II’ tour,” Digital Playground CEO Samantha Lewis said, “I would like to thank everyone at Hustler Hollywood, especially Theresa Flynt, who is exceptional to work with. The turnout exceeded our expectations. Everyone is still raving about how incredible the fans were and how professional the environment was. Hustler understands promotions and always hosts extremely classy events.”

At the Hollywood event, stars from the movie included Jesse Jane, Stoya, Riley Steele, Jenna Haze, Tommy Gunn and Evan Stone. Other industry celebrities that turned out included directors Jules Jordan and Tim Szabo, and performer Jack Lawrence.

DP’s Director of Marketing Adella Curry told XBIZ that the publicity juggernaut behind the “Pirates” sequel has just begun, and that the company expects increased mainstream exposure for the film in publications like Variety, the Hollywood Reporter, L.A. Times and New York Times.

Curry also said that various cast members will be on the road over the next year, on a rigorous schedule of appearances that will take them to three continents, including stops in Berlin, Sydney, Melbourne, Amsterdam, Cannes and Norway. U.S. tour dates will include events in Albuquerque, N.M; Phoenix, Ariz.; Miami; Baltimore, Md.; Houston, Dallas and El Paso, Texas; Cleveland and Cincinnati, Ohio; Denver; Tacoma, Wash.; Portland, Ore.; and Juno and Anchorage, Alaska.

Several of the U.S. stops, according to Curry, will be at or near college campuses, where the movie is likely to develop into a cult favorite, as was the case with the first “Pirates” movie. Screenings of the original film attracted audiences that dressed in pirate costumes and interacted with the dialogue on the screen, a la “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.”

“I learned that with the first movie,” Curry said. “The reaction from college kids was amazing.”

DP founder and “Pirates” director Joone also was on hand for the Hollywood event. He told XBIZ that he has a limited travel schedule in terms of the tour, but he is already gratified with the response for the movie, particularly after the gala premiere of the film at the Orpheum Theater in downtown Los Angeles, on Sept. 27.

With a budget rumored at several million dollars, the audience reaction at the premiere was immediate with comments and kudos about the movie’s high level of production, scripted storyline and impressive special effects.

“I just wanted to keep the flow going,” Joone told XBIZ, describing the length of the sex scenes, and his decision to keep the scenes short and well integrated with the movie’s plot.

He also said that he might pursue a science fiction-themed movie next; something that he has contemplated for several years, but was put on the back burner as he focused on the “Pirates” franchise.

“Pirates II: Stagnetti’s Revenge” stars DP contract girls Jesse Jane, Shay Jordan, Katsuni, Stoya, Riley Steele and Gabriella Fox. The films stellar lineup also features starlets Belladonna, Sasha Grey, Jenna Haze, Brianna Love, Abbey Brooks, Shawna Lenee, Rhylee Richards, Brea Lynn, Shyla Stylez, and Veronica Rayne.

Reprising their roles from the first “Pirates” movie are Evan Stone, Tommy Gunn and Steven St. Croix. Other featured male performers include Manuel Ferrara, James Deen, Marco Banderas, Mick Blue, Ben English and Charles Dera.

To view a trailer, visit the movie’s website.