April 27 – Peabody’s, Cleveland, OH

April 28 – Sacred Heart Music Center, Duluth, MN

April 29 – FM Community Theater, Fargo, ND

April 30 – Babcock Theater, Billings, MT

We also hear that there’s a possibility of another 3 dates being added to the list. We’ll have those dates plus links to purchase tickets for all of the events very soon!

I talk about lots of stuff I wanna do that either happens years later or never happens at all. Happy to report RED STATE is not the latter.

First draft was dated 9/5/07. Looks like we start shooting this July. Took nearly three years, but we’re finally gonna roll on RED.

How exciting is that??? The flick has been described by Kevin as a total 180 from anything he’s done before — A psychological horror flick with an extremely dark done. The few folks who have seen early drafts of “Red State” have spoken of how it stuck with them, how unsettling it was, and that it’s so un-Kevin that it’s exciting to see his take on a totally new genre. We can’t wait. Obviously, a lot happens past announcements like this — Location scouting, casting, rewrites, budgets…All that fun stuff that takes place before cameras start to roll. News Askew will be with you the whole way — We’re stoked to see Kevin’s take on one of our favorite film genres of all time.

So with all this, what about “Hit Somebody”, you may ask? Kevin’s writing it now, and hopes to shoot it on the heels of “Red State”, meaning perhaps late 2010 or early 2011.

With a script already complete, “Red State” would likely come first. Kevin theorizes that the film, an intense horror/thriller, and a total 180 from anything he’s done before, could be made on the cheap and on the quick. With a script that he’s had in his pocket for a couple of years now, a green light on this one could come sooner than later. If the cards fall in the right way, we wouldn’t even be shocked to see this one cut together before the end of 2010. Of course, a lot of that depends not only on funding, but scouting locations, finding the right cast, and so on. We’ve got our fingers crossed that “Red State” may be a reality soon. With its low profile and cost, it could be a real earner, too.

Then, there’s “Hit Somebody”. This is Kevin’s passion project and the one he’s most excited about bringing to life. Since the script is not yet complete, this one’s looking a little further off, unless of course, the studio supplying the cash likes the project more. With Kevin’s close attachment to the Devils, this summer’s Gretzky street hockey tourny, and his own personal pick-up games, there’s no doubt that he’s the best guy working in the industry today to bring a hockey movie to life. Sounds like others have taken notice of that, as well. Once again, nothing official on the books, though last week, it seems those final steps were taken when Kevin made a trip back east for some meetings.

Here’s a few of the tweets relating to the potential funding and the plan:

This week in NYC was all about securing the financing for the next two flicks.

Via @murdochjay “So you secured financing for Hit Somebody?” There’s not even a script for HIT yet. But we met w/potential true-believers.

Via @TAFKARR “Just to clarify, which is first on the To-Do List: Hit Somebody or Red State?” Looking like RED’s up first. Writing HIT now.

We’ll keep you posted on these breaking stories, in the hopes we have some official good news for you soon.

Via @Samantha_Senn “Best idea ever: a mini golf course based on ViewAskewniverse.” Jesus Christ… that IS the best idea ever! Seriously!

Yo @MingChen37! Contact http://www.holeinoneminigolf.com/The%20Course.htm and see if they wanna partner up. I heart you @Samantha_Senn.

Reason #11845 I Love Twitter: Because of a @Samantha_Senn Tweet, I’m now obsessed with immortalizing the Askewniverse in Putt-Putt form.

Via @DominikH “Must have at least 37 holes” GREAT idea; one of many flying at me, fast & furious. Please HashTag for reference: #AskewniGolf

Via @zarquon “all the golf clubs should have bongsaber-shaped handles. #AskewniGolf ” All the golf clubs are shaped like hockey sticks, duh.

Via @dalecard “Hole 5 MUST be Hit Somebody #AskewniGolf ” Hole 5 will be rooftop hockey, w/Randal in net, legs opening & closing.

Vulgarthons will be built around Askewniverse Open weekends. Compete for the Carlin Cup (Glick was my only golfing character). #AskewniGolf

Via @bangfalse “hole where u put ball in the back of a Volkswagen #AskewniGolf ” I’ll bet this is EXACTLY how Disney built HIS theme park…

Via @zarquon “How about a Skeeball hole featuring the Buddy Christ?” We’d DEFINITELY have a Skeeball run inside.

Via @sandman420 “Sponsors would include Mooby’s” The current pizza shack would BECOME Mooby’s, complete with menu! #AskewniGolf

Via @HeyDigDiggy “All employees wear shirts w/”Porchmonkey 4 Life” on back” No. But Elias’ Mooby hat will be part of uniform. #AskewniGolf

I found the official putters for Silent Bob’s FattyShack: http://tinyurl.com/HesACinderellaBoy #AskewniGolf

Via @Chris_grsmr “all characters that appear should be made like the inaction figures” Done in near-life-size, yes. #AskewniGolf

Via @TheArtimus “Make it a whole complex with Randal’s Go Karts too. #AskewniGolf ” AHHHHH! BRILLIANT! You play free for life, sir!

When (not if) #AskewniGolf happens, you can all take a little pride in the fact that your enthusiasm (and free Twitter time) made it happen.

Final Hole: Silent Bob vs. Azrael with blessed putter. You get hole in, Lee’s chest opens up and you hear “But… I’m a fucking demon…”

Via @JasonMaggini “If expanded, you could include a Derris Wheel. #Askewnigolf ” LOVE it! Toddler rides will be AskewniverseBabies-themed.

Via @piugi “toddler ride escalator? #Askewnigolf ” A little slide (complete w/burlap sack) called THAT KID IS BACK ON THE ESCALATOR AGAIN

Original SModcast hits episode #110 (and celebrates the return of Mosier) this week with “Pink Lip Moan”, a new episode where “our heroes secure both a sponsor AND a lover.” Followers of Kevin’s twitter may already know who that sponsor is, the rest of you will want to head on over to www.smodcast.com to find out. Don’t forget, episode #109 was the great Steve-Dave crossover episode, a landmark event that you shouldn’t miss. Speaking of…

Tell ‘Em Steve-Dave has hit episode #3 , “An Affair to Forget”: “Desperate to impress their special guest, Bry’s depravity sinks to new lows with the admission of a 20 year-old secret. Walt’s toadyism gives douche chills to even the most practiced ass-kisser.” If you’re not listening, you’re missing one of the top-rated comedic podcasts in the nation. Yes, Steve-Dave is a hit.

Don’t forget the newest member of the family, The “Mo and Glo” show from Toronto, Ontario, starring Malcolm Ingram and his Mom. Episode #2, “Salut and Sayanora”, went live last week. Like its brothers, this is another top-rated podcast on iTunes and well worth your valuable listening time.

New episodes of all three programs appear exclusively at www.smodcast.com all week long, and yes, all three are TOTALLY FREE. You can download at will, or subscribe via iTunes or your podcast program of choice, and they’ll show up as soon as they’re live (no more waiting). Enjoy, and much thanks to the entire family for the free, fun, weekly entertainment.

Via @GothyChainsaw “saw COP OUT. I totally loved it!” This week it’ll be the first film I directed to have a 4 at head of box office gross.

Via @AnZsDad “Fantastic episode. Glad to have Scott back. Now to order a Fleshlight” In two weeks: SCOTT’S tale of Fleshlight ribaldry…

If you love(d) Carlin, come see him get blown posthumously @ NY Public Library’s George Carlin tribute event, March 24th. I’m totally going.

Lots more fun as always, direct on the feed – We’re just spotlighting the big news. For all the fun, humor, and random comments, you gotta follow @ThatKevinSmith.

“Gyre” has been full of action, twists, and major events in the Bat-verse, and should not be missed. Pick up Batman: Widening Gyre at your local comic shop — If you don’t see it, ask for it — Or directly through the Secret Stash, the greatest comic book shop in all the land.

If you didn’t already know, this series is tremendous. Clerks: The Animated Series tackles a lot of the same topics as in the movies but thanks to the additional freedom that animation grants, the series shines like a freaking diamond. The humor found here is not fully like in the movie, where vulgarity and cruelness plays a big part. In the series, the jokes are expanded into unique ideas that were absolutely made for television. Jokes, references, and pop culture hysteria are quickly rattled off one after another in a hilarious string of continuance. Not to mention the fantastic jabs they take against popular sitcom devices: fake sitcom introductions (“this show was drawn in front of a live studio audience”), narrative recap devices (“previously on Clerks – beeeeeeeeeeeeeeep”), infamous television staples (such as the clip show episode being only the second episode of the series) movie spoofs (Schindler’s List + Flintstones = Flintstone’s List), and other popular culture figures.