• Affleck. Lee. Damon. Banks. Kevin’s had his eyes on some folks who went on to do big things in Hollywood. So, it’s with excitement that we reveal his discovery for the lead of “Hit Somebody”, a relative unknown by the name of Nicholas Braun, who Kevin just revealed (via the just-gone-public new episode of “Hollywood Babble-On”) will take on the lead in the flick:
  Meet Nicholas Braun – the star of the last film I plan on making. He IS my Buddy. Literally.

  Deal Cenrtal posts a nicely detailed full story:

  Kevin Smith has announced that Nicholas Braun will play the lead role of Buddy McKraken in the director’s upcoming hockey comedy “Hit Somebody.”

  The filmmaker broke the casting news during the 14th episode of his popular podcast, Hollywood Babble-On.

  “He’s this really great actor who I love to death and he is the perfect lead for this hockey movie, for this script, which is based on this Warren Zevon song,” said Smith.

  I’m not familiar with Braun’s work but I trust Smith implicitly when it comes to casting, as he has a great eye for spotting natural talent. Who else could turn Jason Mewes into a household name, or make a Hollywood star out of a skateboarder named Jason Lee?

  Smith is the guy who helped put Ben Affleck on the industry’s radar in “Mallrats” and “Chasing Amy,” gave Will Ferrell a major role in “Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back” before he became an A-list movie star, and cast George Carlin as a freakin’ Cardinal in “Dogma,” so he’s earned more than a little good will when it comes to casting matters.

  The director also revealed that his Hollywood Babble-On co-host Ralph Garman will appear in “Hit Somebody” on the heels of his appearance in “Red State.”

  Smith hopes to start filming sometime between July and September of 2011.

  Seann William Scott was previously set to star before he accepted the lead of a rival hockey comedy, “Goon,” which co-stars Jay Baruchel, Liev Schreiber and Alison Pill.

  Braun has previously appeared in “Sky High” and on the ABC Family series “10 Things I Hate About You.” The actor also has a role in Smith’s next project, the political horror film “Red State.”

  Braun is represented by WME and Levine/Okwu/Erickson.

We’re guessing life’s going to get a lot more interesting for Mr. Braun in the coming days/weeks, and are excited to see things continuing to move forward on this hockey-themed flick, long a passion of Kevin’s now becoming closer to reality.

• Regular followers of this site already know that Kevin’s immediate plans in the world of film include a release of “Red State”, followed by “Hit Somebody”, as well as a potential return to the world of “Clerks” if he has something to say about life in his 40’s through the eyes of Dante and Randal. We follow pretty much everything said by or about Kevin here at News Askew, and these are indeed the only 3 film projects that Kevin has mentioned over the past few years, at all. So, it came of no surprise when we saw this quote that /Film pulled from a recent interview:

  “Red State is done. Next step is the hockey movie, Hit Somebody. Then I’m done. There’s possibly a Clerks 3. If I have something to say in my late 40s about being in my late 40s, I’ll think of [Clerks’] Dante and Randal. Shy of that, I don’t have any more movies I want to make.”

  Did we take this as a unofficial announcement of retirement from filmmaking? Not at all, really. Kevin has always said he wanted to get 10 films out there (he’s been saying this for a LONG time, dating all the way back to Dogma around 1999). So, to our loyal readers, this may not have seemed major news, though it seems some outlets picked this up as some sort of bombshell without even checking with the source. /Film, however, decided to contact Kevin directly about the quote, and he Kevin took the time to script a thoughtful, detailed response which we’ll share a few excerpts from here:

  … But THIS “retirement” crap? Not news so much as another sad example of how fucking lazy movie press has become: they cannibalize stories by other writers just to have something to post on their own blogs. Yours was the only website that bothered to go DIRECTLY to the source, Peter – other cats ran articles without even tossing a Tweet my way to check veracity. And I answer Tweets like I answer the dinner bell: often & much. While sweating. And already eating something else.

  I’ve always said (since CLERKS, even) that I’ve got about ten films in me (that info might even be on my Wikipedia page). And COP OUT notwithstanding (solely because I didn’t write it), HIT SOMEBODY is the 10th film I’ve got in me. At this moment in time, I’ve got no other flicks I wanna make. The musing about a possible return visit to the View Askewniverse with a third CLERKS is something I’ve been doing since CLERKS II, but I’ve always opened said musings with the disclaimer “If I ever wanna make a flick about being in my 40’s, I’ll think of Dante & Randal first.” There are no concrete plans for a CLERKS III.

  …

  …If you’ve GOTTA have some Kevin Smith news to hold you over? Here’s something that’s not so much news as my stated intentions for RED STATE: if it gets into Sundance, my plan is to pick the RED STATE distributor right there – IN THE ROOM – auction style. Might even bring up a professional auctioneer to make it fun and unintelligible. And if you’re a multi-millionaire who can’t make it to the first screening of RED STATE, fear not: maybe we’ll set up an eBay page for the post-screening bid-calling as well.

  Congrats to /Film for doing the diligence to check with Kevin, and for getting the facts straight. More news later, as we’ll be watching for the “Hit” news and anything else that drops, as well as catching up on some leftover holiday tidbits from the break. Stay tuned.

• Quite some time in the planning and development phases, we’re pleased to announce today that the next generation of “News Askew” is not far off. With a new server in place, we’re finalizing the design aspects and features we plan to offer up. Our goal? The news will ALWAYS be front and center. This time, we’re basing it on a popular layout which will bring a more newspaper/magaine style feel to our front page. The news archive will continue to be browsable by page, month, ot year. In addition to the news, we’re also incorporating easy access to the new SModcast Network, Kevin’s frequent tweets, an improved event listing, and more.

  Rather than do a sloppy import, we’re taking our time and going back over each and every bit of data since we started, fixing broken links where possible, making sure things are spelled correctly, formatted nicely, and the like. The best we can, anyway. After all, there’s over 7,900 news stories in our back catalog. It’ll take some time. But we’re gonna do it. The end result will be a cleaner, faster site than ever before, and a beautiful back history of everything that’s happened in the News Askew world since we started close to 14 years ago.

  We of course realize that many of you enjoy your news via other platforms, such as your iPhone, iPad, other mobile phones, twitter, Facebook, RSS readers, and the like. We’ll of course continue to provide the same and, in many cases, updated versions of the site in all those venues, so you can follow with the latest from the world of Kevin Smith and View Askew no matter where you are or what electronic device is nearby.

  Our initial rollout plan will involve a more recent subset of the news database, with the back catalog to be filled in as time allows. This will give us the chance to test drive the new site with you, the users, while we make final tweaks and continue to add our vast library of news dating all the way back to April 1997.

  Happy holidays, and stay tuned, we’re excited to move to the next iteration of the site we’ve loved bringing you for over 13 years.

• A new, even cheaper and cooler way to experience the coolness that is SModcastle has arrived – SMODPASS! This pass allows you a 30 day rolling admittance to any and all SModcastle shows (except the already sold out Red State events). This means everything else, though, folks, including the movies, SModcast 3D, Jay & Silent Bob Get Old, Blow Hard, and all your other favorite special guests and shows. For the price of $100, that’s less than 10 bucks for a night of entertainment. You can’t do a feature film cheaper than that, and this shit’s LIVE.

  This offer was a 24 hour exclusive for SModcastle VIPs — Those who were the first to enter its doors. Now, remaining tickets of this extremely limited group are up for what we are sure is a VERY limited time. We highly recommend any fans within a reasonable distance of the SModcastle snatch these babies up, and take advantage of the incredible savings being passed on — Really makes us wanna pack bags and head to L.A. Be there!

• As we write this, the amazing Gaiman/Palmer event has taken over the castle in a sold-out shindig that we can’t wait to hear about. A slew of new podcasts hit the airwaves this week, all for your FREE listening enjoyment. Here’s Kevin with the tweet announcements on what’s dropped in the past 48 hours:

  Hear ye! Hear ye! Hear ye a brand new #SMODCAST – Ep.146: Take America Across Your Chest! Walls of human bone! http://smodcast.com/main.html

  Hear us age before your very ears! Listen to a brand new JAY & BOB GET OLD! Ep 11: Nothing Compares To Mewes http://www.smodcast.com/getold

  It’s time to Babble the fuck on! Hear a brand new HOLLYWOOD BABBLE-ON with me & @RalphGarman! Get ep 13 now! http://smodcast.com/babbleon/

  See all the @SModcastle shows in December & you get to BE on an episode of JAY & BOB GET OLD. How? SModPass! http://smodcastle.com/smodpass/

  Peep out the NEW #SModcast Network homepage/schedule: http://smodcast.com/ PUCK swaps days with GET OLD, and the debut of SMarriage!

  Cross STATE lines in a brand new episode of RED STATE OF THE UNION: http://smodcast.com/redstate/ This week: Splinter of the Klein’s Eye!

  A man & woman fused eternally! Listen to the first SMarriage at @SModcastle! http://smodcast.com/smarriage Starring @JacobsChris & Rhonda!

  And finally, these two random tidbits reveal that the 1st draft of “Hit Somebody” has moved along, and spotted a fantastic Askew shout-out buried in an acclaimed film this year. Here’s those two:

  Watching the adorable THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT. I wish I was a lesbian. Bonus Askew sighting: Ruffalo’s restaurant is Holden’s Potzers Inc.

  Via @Solancer “how’s the progress on HitSomebody?” Moving along nicely. First draft pick @ThatDavidKlein read what I’ve got so far & dug.

  As always, follow @ThatKevinSmith and it goes from his keyboard to your twitter feed in moments. And you won’t miss a thing!

• As we predicted, seats sold out quickly after announcing the rare chance to be a part of the “Red State Club” and participate in 10 weeks of live shows at the SModcastle surrounding the film. If you can’t be there in person, though, the next best thing is listening FREE at the official site. Episode #2 is now live and includes audio of a scene from the film, the first anywhere and an exclusive. Producer Jon Gordon joins the crew as a special guest this week.

  iTunes users: You can also subscribe here free and follow along with one of the top rated entertainment podcasts in the world. The podcast will continue on a weekly basis, recorded every Monday night and debuted on the web later in the week.

• Many shows for Jay & Silent Bob Get Old have quietly been placed on sale — You can now purchase your tix for shows as far out as May 2011. Visit the official site for all dates and shows. Don’t miss a rare chance to catch Smith and Mewes onstage together. At presstime, 8 dates in Spring 2011 are available, more could be added in the future. And don’t forget, Kevin does the solo tour with dates in December and April, with more on the way.
• “Chasing Amy” is cited in this article on “The Evolution of the Hollywood Gay Joke in Three Easy Stages”:

  “…And for all of the homophobic barbs that Jason Lee’s character unleashes upon the queer folks in Smith’s Chasing Amy, the movie is constantly telling us that it’s Lee’s character who’s got the issues and not his supposed targets. (The fact that Lee’s character is revealed to be gay himself at the end of Jay and Silent Bob Strikes Back brings the whole point home.”

• And finally, here’s a fun one today — Video game developer Artificial Mind & Movement (A2M for short) changed their name to “Behaviour”, and the company’s CEO says “Clerks II” was to blame.

  “Behaviour CEO Remi Racine tells Eurogamer that initially, the team was unaware of any other meanings for the studio name, until the “issue became known to us five years ago. It was mentioned in a movie and it started to grow from 2005/2006.”

  The story links directly to a YouTube video from none other than “Clerks II”.

• There’s a lot going on over on the west coast these days, with the key attraction being the great SModcastle — Missing shows has been tough enough, but with today’s announcement, Kevin once again breaks new ground in the world of film, and makes us jealous we can’t be a part of it. If you’re anywhere close, you’d be crazy not to take him up on this — “The Red State Club” invites a lucky group of 44 fans (first come, first served) the opportunity to spend every Monday night, for the next 10 weeks, at the SMOdcastle, where you’ll join Kevin and the cast/crew of “Red State”, for a weekly discussion, watch scenes and the movie itself before anyone else in the world gets to see it. All for the bargain price of a $100. We think they could charge a lot more, so this is a DEAL. If there are ANY slots left, you really want to surf over and JOIN RIGHT NOW as they’re just not going to last long.

  This is the first time we’ve ever known of a director have this close of a relationship with the fans — For such an extensive, involved time period, you can be involved before the film hits theaters, and potentially even have an impact on marketing and more. Plus, you’ll get to see “Red State” WAY early. You just can’t miss it.

  With the 10 week course, and a 2011 release date planned, is that hinting that the film might hit theaters sometime in February? No release date planned just yet, though we’re anxiously awaiting. That, and a hint that our Christmas present this year, December 25th, will be our first look at the teaser, has us with “Red State” fever. A nice, slow marketing campaign that’s really got anticipation levels high is the right way to go with this one.

  So, in short, be a part of movie history and join the “Red State Club” before the seats are gone. And if you’re not in the area, rumor is that Kevin will screen the teaser for fans attending the Boston Q&A at the House of Blues on Thursday, December 2nd.

• In addition to the excitement surrounding “Red State”, the SModcast network continues to roll on with new product regular, both at the SModcastle and of course FREE for all your downloaders out there. Here’s the latest tweets from Kevin announcing just-released episodes of SModcast, Babble-On, Get Old, and more. Plus, major kudos for the record-settling “Red State of the Union”, already atop the iTunes charts in less than a week. Links and details ahead:

  Gotta go back in time with Doc Kev & @SMosier McFly in a brand new #SMODCAST ! SMod #145: Twin Pines Mallrats. http://smodcast.com/main.html

  It’s time to Babble the fuck on! Listen to a brand new episode of HOLLYWOOD BABBLE-ON! With me & @RalphGarman! http://smodcast.com/babbleon

  Here’s an INSANELY well-written preview of Thursday’s new episode of JAY & BOB GET OLD: http://tinyurl.com/ThisGuyGetsACastleSeatForLife

  Via @FijiMermaid “checking out GetOld#10 this morning. The Warner Bros. commercial at the beginning was good” Tell @WarnerArchive by buying!

  Wow! #1 in TV/Movie podcasts but #2 in podcasts OVERALL, 2nd only to THIS AMERICAN LIFE: Red State of the Union! http://smodcast.com/RedPod/

  Now listen to #SModcast every morn while enjoying a cup of SMoffee! http://justcoffee.coop/catalog/smoffee The Official Coffee of SModcast!

  Don’t forget, you can follow the SModcast Network on Twitter for up-to-the-second updates on when new episodes go live. Or, of course stick with @ThatKevinSmith on Twitter, the official SModcast site, and us here at News Askew.

• Kevin’s continuing to break new ground when it comes to promotion, and we love what he’s doing with “Red State” so far. First, a few esoteric photos from the set. Then, an awesome internally-produced one sheet. And now, prior to SHOWING us the teaser trailer, he’s letting us listen. Check out the newest weekly edition to the SModcast network, “Red State of the Union”, for FREE. Episode #1 is available RIGHT NOW, and features the audio of the teaser as a lucky audience of 20 at the SModcastle are the first to view its glory. After screening the teaser, Kevin listens to feedback and takes questions. As “Red State” continues its journey towards a theater near you, this podcast will offer further discussions, Q&A, press conferences, and more — Once again, another first in the world of film.

  While we’re talking “Red”, here’s a few tweets on the subject recently:

  Via @bapps84 “Will you be doing a press junket for RedState?” No. But you’ll hear about it all the same, I’m thinking. I do so love to sell.

  Hear the teaser for RED STATE & reaction to it in our new mini-series, RED STATE OF THE UNION: http://smodcast.com/redstate/index.html

  Via @iamkateonfire “Can’t wait to actually see it, audio gave chills. Nice work!” HEAR THE TEASER: http://smodcast.com/redstate/index.html

  Via @Jakkk “Trailer sounds awesome! Can’t wait to see it! ‘You better believe I fear God.'” Complete with Q&A! http://smodcast.com/redstate

  Subscribe NOW to our new RED STATE OF THE UNION show, via iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/red-state-of-the-union/id403735816

  Via @tbylckwd “When will you hear from Sundance about Redstate?” No clue, but they’re watching it upstairs right now… #Shhhhhh

  The podcast is a highly-recommended listen. Kevin’s comments are interesting, in that it sounds like he has a plan for the marketing of the film and is planning a very slow build, which we love. As far as Sundance, we’ll keep you posted on anything we hear, as soon as it’s revealed. Fingers crossed!