STUDIO BALKS, GUTTENBERG WALKS!

by Arnie Fufkin, Movie Correspondent

Actor Steve Guttenberg, who became an international superstar playing uberkiller "Butch" in the three Chopping Block films, has stormed off the set amid an ugly tiff with producers. Apparently, Guttenberg feels that his stock has risen to the point where more of himself should be incorporated into the part.

"Chopping Block part IV should be titled 'Butch Unmasked'," the actor said. "I'm ready to really explode with this part, to really, really make the character my own. I mean, well, it already is, but now I mean REALLY. Really. It's time for Butch to talk. It's time for people to see Butch's face... my face. I've had LOTS of speaking parts before. I can memorize lines. Honest. Have you ever seen Cocoon? I talked A LOT in Cocoon, dammit."

Producers of the franchise disagree. "We are aware that Steve has held speaking parts before. We know that people have seen his face in movies. It's just that this is an absolutely horrible idea. It's a shame that Steve feels so strongly about it."

So strongly that Guttenberg has turned in his hockey mask in an apparent power play to get the producers to cave in to his demands. "It's not like I'm asking for more money. Well, actually while I'm at it, I'd like more money too." Chopping Block's producers say that there's no going back.

"Steve's position is clear, and so is ours. CB IV will NOT be titled 'Butch Unmasked'. And Steve Guttenberg will no longer be playing Butch. We're afraid that this relationship, while successful so far, has come to an end. We wish Steve all the best in whatever he chooses to do next." Rumors abound as to who will be tapped to next portray the cartoon-born psycho. Names such as Danny DeVito, Jeff Goldblum, Jerry Stiller, and Rosie O'Donnell have been bandied about, but just like their multi-million dollar anti-hero, the studio heads are keeping mum. Guttenberg, however, is not.

"I made that part," he says. "Nobody else can pull it off. They'll be begging me to come back. And if not, well, I had a good run. I've got lots of other scripts I'm looking at. But mark my words... Butch dies with me. If they snub me, there will never be another CB film. Period."