“In essence, we created Zupko,” Extreme Associates owner Rob Black told XBIZ. “He can win the most outrageous sex scene every year. I told Zupko one day that he will appreciate what I do for him because no one else will let him do it.”
Zupko got his start directing in the adult business in 1997 with Evil Angel filming his first adult movie, “Anal Ball.” Zupko has since bounced around in recent years, going from Extreme to Elegant Angel in 2003, then to Mayhem/Sin City and most recently, Hustler.
Zupko’s initial tenure with Extreme ended amicably, with Black focusing on his pro-wrestling venture and Zupko wanting to pursue other opportunities, Black said.
“Zupko reached out to me two months ago and Lizzy [Borden] and I both agreed it felt right,” Black said. “He’s always got great ideas. I wanted to get back that fire I had and Zupko was always at his best when he was with me. As long as he wants to stay and as long I want him, he will be here.”
Zupko has gained a reputation in the adult industry as a maverick director by incorporating controversial subjects into his movies.
“Everything I did was to get noticed and obviously it worked,” Zupko said. “I aspired to be where Rob Black is, doing things on my own terms without being told why I can’t do this or that. It took getting kicked out of a couple of companies when all I had to do was tone it down and I could have been very comfortable financially. I wasn’t willing to do that.”
Zupko’s first project for Extreme will be called “Lisa Ann Defiled.”
In 2004 Black, his wife Janet Romano, aka Lizzy Borden and Extreme Associates were prosecuted for distributing obscene materials through the mail. The U.S. District court, ruling that Federal anti-obscenity statutes are unconstitutional, dismissed the charges. The Department of Justice appealed the ruling to the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals that in turn, ruled the lower court had erred in bypassing federal obscenity statutes. The charges against Black, his wife and company were reinstated.