If you swam by this year’s San Diego Comic-Con, you’ll no doubt have noticed some giant film posters being driven round town on the backs of trucks.

One such poster screamed in blood red letters “Too Hot For Comic-Con!”, and featured giant, razor sharp teeth enveloping the flick’s unforgettable title: Piranha 3D.

Yes, Comic-Con had booted the 3D threequel from its planned appearance in the historic Hall H, deciding that the footage wasn’t suitable for audiences.

“The convention told me I couldn't show this and I couldn't show that and it had to be family friendly,” explains French director Alexandre Aja. “I said: ‘What are you talking about - it is Comic-Con?’”

Refusing to water his film down for the masses, Aja stood his ground, and winded up showing some footage outside of the convention centre.

“I could not come back with PG-13 footage because no one would take me seriously,” he says. “I showed them the original cut that I wanted to show and they said no way because I had people flashing all the time and it is a blood bath from beginning to end. So we would have had to tone it down and not show anything.”

The Con’s refusal to give Piranha 3D a spot, however, sent a clear message to audiences: this flick is bad-ass. Considering it's a much-belated sequel to two decidedly soggy B movies, audiences were always going to be reserved. Clearly, though, Aja’s film has bite.

“Piranha is a big disaster movie and we have so many characters, so many actors, so many extras,” stresses the director. “Everything is taking place during the most crazy, insane spring break you can imagine…”

Alright, let’s go fishing…

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