• 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.