NBC Interviewed Kevin for a few minutes at the event, which we’ve got embedded above for your viewing pleasure. In it, he reveals they are looking to start shooting “Red State” early in 2009.

Here’s more coverage on Kevin’s antics from around the web:

AP: “Kevin Smith gets raunchier with his new film” (WARNING – MINOR SPOILERS AHEAD)


…The “Zack and Miri” clip shown to the crowd of thousands featured a heated discussion between a gay couple played by Justin Long and Brandon Routh. Long’s character is a porn star who has appeared in various films with unprintable titles, and Zack (Seth Rogen) is fascinated.


Banks, who plays Miri, described the film as “a really sweet love story,” but Smith assured fans it was just as raunchy as any of his past flicks, including “Clerks,” “Dogma” and “Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back.”


The film is a departure visually, though, he said.


“Going into it I wanted it to look better than the stuff we’d done in the past. It kind of looks like a real movie,” Smith said. “The most important thing was how do you shoot sex because I’ve never done that before. … I wanted the sex to look much better than my sex.”

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Los Angeles Times Blog: Comic-Con: Quote of the day from Kevin Smith


“You’re like the Miley Cyrus of porn!”


— Kevin Smith, after finding out Traci Lords made her first porno when she was 15.


Lords just completed filming on Smith’s latest “Zack and Miri Make A Porno” which the the two are promoting at Comic-Con.

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EW Popwatch: “Judd Apatow and Kevin Smith bring the house down at EW’s “Visionaries Panel”


AUDIENCE QUESTION: As filmmakers, I wanted to ask who in the past or present as filmmakers have inspired you in your careers to get involved in this genre?


KEVIN SMITH: For me, it was likely Jim Jarmusch, Richard LInklater, Hal Hartley that made me want to get into indie film.


JUDD APATOW: Well, Kevin Smith laid down the track.


SMITH: Yes, b—-, yes. [Smith and Apatow hug.] Say that s— in print, motherf—er. I’m taking that into the studio, ‘You see what fucking Apatow said.’ Give me a job.


APATOW: But also Hal Ashby and Cameron Crowe…


SMITH: F— those guys.

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Hollywood.Com: “Seth Rogen Explains How ‘Zack and Miri Make a Porno'”


HW: Kevin Smith likes to write long passages of dialogue about his favorite films, what did he choose for this one?


SR: There was a big chunk where I talk about Clerks for like three pages. [laughs] We make fun of a lot of movie titles. There is a Sleeping with the Enemy moment.

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LA Times Blog: “‘Battlestar Galactica’ and .. Kevin Smith?”


“This show is so good that it’ll get you pregnant.”


And that’s what “Clerks” director and fanboy icon Kevin Smith brought to the “Battlestar Galactica” panel that he moderated Saturday. A bit of raunch, a scattering of F-bombs. And I don’t mean “frak.”

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EW Popwatch: “Want to know who the final Cylon will be on ‘Battlestar Galactica’?”


…moderator Kevin Smith, who introduced himself with his trademark coarse wit: “I have nothing to do with this show, which is probably why it is so f—ing good.” (No fraks for Mr. Smith.)

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CinemaBlend: “Kevin Smith Heading For The Final Frontier”


“So what’s up next for Smith? It looks like he’s still trying to find a home for his horror movie, Red State, deeply anticipated by fans but without a studio as of yet. After that, Smith grew a little tight-lipped, but hinted that it might be a movie set in space.”

And there ya have it! Space, eh? We’re thinking that “Ranger Danger” may come to be after “Red State”, though right now, all eyes are on “Zack & Miri”, which is 3 months away from theaters. Whoohoo!

‘A God Who Cussed’

Director Kevin Smith remembers George Carlin

They say you should never meet your heroes. I’ve found this a good rule to live by, but as with any rule, there’s always an exception.

My first exposure to George Carlin was in 1982, when HBO aired his “Carlin at Carnegie” stand-up special. When I saw the advert—featuring a clip of Carlin talking about the clichéd criminal warning of “Don’t try anything funny,” and then adding, “When they’re not looking, I like to go …,” followed by a brief explosion of goofy expressions and pantomime—I immediately asked my parents if I could tape it on our new BetaMax video recorder.

That was a hilarious bit. But when I finally watched the special, Carlin blew my doors off. Whether he was spinning a yarn about Tippy, his farting dog, or analyzing the contents of his fridge, Carlin expressed himself not only humorously, but amazingly eloquently as well. I was, as they say, in stitches.

And that was before he got to the Seven Words You Can’t Say on Television.

I was 12 years old, watching a man many years my senior curse a blue streak while exposing the hypocrisy of a medium (and a society) that couldn’t deal with the public usage of terms they probably employed regularly in their private lives. And while he seemed to revel in being a rebel, here was a man who also clearly loved the English language, warts and all—even the so-called “bad words” (although, as George would say, there are no such things as “bad words”). I wouldn’t say George Carlin taught me obscenities, but I would definitely say he taught me that the casual use of obscenities wasn’t reserved just for drunken sailors, as the old chestnut goes; even intelligent people were allowed to incorporate them into their everyday conversations (because George was nothing if not intelligent).

From that moment forward, I was an instant Carlin disciple. I bought every album, watched every HBO special, and even sat through “The Prince of Tides” just because he played a small role in the film. I spent years turning friends on to the Cult of Carlin, the World According to George, and even made pilgrimages to see him perform live (the first occasion being a gig at Farleigh Dickinson University in 1988). Carlin influenced my speech and my writing. Carlin replaced Catholicism as my religion.

Sixteen years later, I sat across from the star of “Carlin at Carnegie” in the dining room of the Four Seasons Hotel in Los Angeles. It was a meeting I’d dreamed of and dreaded simultaneously. George Carlin was the type of social observer/critic I most wanted to emulate … but he was a celebrity, too. What if he turned out to be a true prick?

What I quickly discovered was that, in real life, George was, well, George. Far from a self-obsessed jerk, he was mild-mannered enough to be my Dad. He was as interested as he was interesting, well-read and polite to a fault—all while casually dropping F-bombs. But most impressive, he didn’t treat me like an audience member, eschewing actual conversation, electing instead to simply perform the whole meeting, more “on” than real. He talked to me like one of my friends would talk to me: familiar, unguarded, authentic.

I made three films with George over the course of the next six years, starting with “Dogma” and his portrayal of Cardinal Glick, the pontiff-publicist responsible for the Catholic Church’s recall of the standard crucifix in favor of the more congenial, bubbly “Buddy Christ.” A few years later, I wrote him a lead role in “Jersey Girl”—as Bart Trinke (or “Pop”), the father of Ben Affleck’s character. It called for a more dramatic performance than George was used to giving, but the man pulled it off happily and beautifully. (Something most folks probably don’t know about George: He took acting very seriously. The man was almost a Method actor.) Sadly, I consider that “Jersey Girl” part my one failing on George’s behalf, and not for the reasons most would assume (the movie was not reviewed kindly, to say the least). No, I failed because George had asked me to write a different role for him.

In 2001, George did me a solid when he accepted the part of the orally fixated hitchhiker who knew exactly how to get a ride in “Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back.” When he wrapped his scene in that flick, I thanked him for making the time, and he said, “Just do me a favor: Write me my dream role one day.” When I inquired what that’d be, he offered, “I wanna play a priest who strangles children.”


It was a classic Carlin thing to say: a little naughty and a lot honest. I always figured there’d be time to give George what he asked for. Unfortunately, he left too soon.

He was, and will likely remain, the smartest person I’ve ever met. But really, he was much more than just a person. Without a hint of hyperbole, I can say he was a god, a god who cussed.

Some have asked us if Kevin may have had Mr. Carlin in mind for a part in “Red State” given his desire to take evil turns on film. Sure would have been interesting. From two fellow Carlin disciples to Kevin and the rest of his fans, we sure wish we could have seen him back here in the Askewniverse once again.

Q: Who is the one person you’d love to work with that you have not yet had a chance to?

Bill Murray.

Q: Are you planning to have a New Jersey or La birthday party in August?

We were toying with the notion of doing another prom but opted against.

Q: I know Red State is a way’s off, but my question is about casting. You wrote Zack for Seth, did you write any of the roles in “Red State” for a particular actor or actress, and if not, have you started thinking about who you would like to try and get?

I did write two key roles with actors in mind, but I doubt I’ll be allowed to cast one and the other is too pie-in-the-sky.

Q: Is there any foward motion on “Red State”?

The script is out to some indie financiers now. Fingers crossed.

Would you consider shooting it like Chasing Amy on a low low budget?

I’ll shoot it as cheaply as I can, but while not being an insanely expensive affair, it’ll require some cash: between five and eight million, we’re thinking.

Q: Would Scott go for that?

Depending on when we shoot it, Scott might only Exec Produce the flick (in this instance, take it all the way to the point of going on location). He didn’t want to spend another two months on a set this year, but he knows that, if the money happens, I’ve gotta go as soon as possible. So he’ll do what he always does on every flick up to that point when we actually head off to wherever we’re gonna shoot it. If we don’t wind up shooting it ’til next year, then he’ll be involved the way he always is.

Q: When can we expect the first Money Shot to go up?

I believe Zak and Joey (and Ken) are taking the “Money Shots” public first or second week in July.

Q: You are quite open with your life with the board and MBAL but where do you think you would draw the line? For example would you ever do a reality show or something along those lines?

I have been asked about doing a reality show (“Mr. and Mrs. Smith”). That was a quick and easy pass. Cameras in my house is where I draw the line, I guess. And not so much cameras in the house as cameras on my life. And not because I’d feel like my privacy would be invaded, but more because a) I’d hate to have to keep my gut sucked in for that long a stretch, b) it wouldn’t be real because we’d be aware of the cameras and would modify our behavior accordingly, and c) it’d be insanely boring.

Q: Will you have a signing/poker game after the November Count Basie Q&A?

Definitely a poker game. Maybe a signing.

Q: Any word on when the Zack and Miri teaser will be back up?

No word yet. I don’t know if it’s been submitted yet. We’ve been too busy dealing with the MPAA on other matters.

Q: Any updates with the Clerks II inaction figures?

I’m hearing Christmas. I’ve seen all the sculpts (including Kinky Kelly and Emma now) and most of the paints, and man – they’re pretty fucking sweet. Worth the wait, I’d say.

[UPDATE FROM BOB CHAPMAN!]

Bob Chapman, Graphitti Designs wrote:

We will not have KINKY KELLY or EMMA for San Diego. I have yet to get the painted prototypes back from the person painting them. I will contact her again today (she’s pregnant and was scheduled to deliver June 21st?), and do what I can to get these figures from her pre-child. I’m doing my damnest to get these to China so we have them for Christmas sales. The other five CLERKS II figures will be prototyped immediately after we get these first two out of the system. I’m sorry, but working with a whole new crew of people has been a challenge.

In response, Kevin wrote:

Wait – so we’ll have Kinky Kelly and Emma for Christmas, but not the others?

In response to Kevin, Bob wrote:

We HOPE to have the KINKY KELLY and EMMA for Christmas. Until I get the prototypes to China, the clock can’t begin. I’m doing everything I can so China has everything they need before we leave for San Diego.

There ya’ have it: best case scenario, you’ll have Kinky Kelly and Emma by Christmas.

So there ya have it. We’ve been waiting a long time to see those Clerks II inaction figures as well, but were unaware of the staffing changes. We know Bob and co. take a lot of care to produce the most perfect designs they can come up with, so we’ll continue to wait patiently.

As for “Red State”, everyone collectively cross your fingers for some good news regarding funding soon — It’d be fantastic to have news of other View Askew flick, one as different as this, going in front of cameras in 2008. After all the hype about the script, and the change in tone and genre, we’re very much hoping Kevin and Scott can get this one made.

Thanks to Kevin for answering these excellent questions, and we’ll of course keep you informed of other big breaking news as it arrives. We sure can’t wait to start seeing those “Money Shots” webisodes online next month.

The cost of obtaining soundtrack rights outweighed the entire production costs for this 1994 film.

Pretty cool, no? We’re wondering if there will ever be another successful flick made as cheaply. While “Red State” will certainly easily exceed the “Clerks” and “Chasing Amy” indie budgets, we’re curious to see what happens with that project, especially if Kev and Scott decide to independently fund it.

As of this writing, I was able to chop out an additional twelve minutes. Current running time is 1:48. I think that’ll be it ’til after the screening – which is now looking to be late April, as we wanna have Jim (Venable) do a few score cues (rather than temp-track in music from some other flick).

We’re already looking forward to not only the movie, but seeing all this deleted stuff on the DVD! And now, today’s round of Q&A:

ZACK AND MIRI MAKE A PORNO

Any ounce of possibility that Z&M could feed into another flick (sequel or related “world” in the View Askewniverse vein)?

Kevin said: “None.”

I’m just wondering what it’s been like for you, as Jay’s friend, his director, and his co-star, to watch him progress from the energetic but nervous kid in Clerks to the scene-stealing dialogue-machine that is Jay in Dogma and J&SBSB?

Kevin said: “It’s been great. I feel like a proud parent.”

How do you feel he’s progressed from Clerks 2 to Z&M?

Kevin said: “He’s a real, live actor now (contrary to what Neil Patrick Harris may feel). I don’t have to rehearse him to death to get his tone/inflection right anymore; he just gets it now.”

Aside from Rogen and Banks, who gets the most screen time in Z&M?

Kevin said: “Craig.”

It’s pretty excellent news that Elizabeth has been cast as W’s wife isn’t it? Did you know during filming Z & M that she was up for the role?

Kevin said: “The day I got back to L.A., she texted me to say she’d gotten the part. I’m ecstatic for her, as I (mostly) love Stone.”

Do show your friends the entire movie every time you do edits, or just those certain scenes?

Kevin said: “It depends. Mos is the only one who watches the flick with any regularity, but since he’s watched it from end-to-end recently, he’ll just look at stuff I cut down or re-cut now.”

Have you approached any artists yet to put their music in the flick?

Kevin said: “Not yet.”

I was just wondering when we may see some Z&M merchandise available?

Kevin said: “I dunno, but don’t expect a shit-ton.”

Would there be any chance of footage being shown at ComiCon in Hall H?

Kevin said: “Probably a scene or two.”

Were you conciously not trying to include many actors from your previous films as this is a movie set outside the J&SB universe?

Kevin said: “Yes.”

How big of a part does Tom Savini have in the film? And how was it to work with him?

Kevin said: “One scene. It was cool. He’s a nice guy.”

Do you plan to show any other filmmakers the movie for outside professional feedback, like you did Rob Rod and Quentin?

Kevin said: “Edgar [Wright] and Richard [Kelly] would probably be up first, I’d imagine.”

Did you shoot alternate coverage for an alternative PG/non-cable version of the movie?

Kevin said: “Nope.”

Are all of the character names accurate on the IMDB page?

Kevin said: “There is no “Mall Maniac.” And the guy listed as playing him isn’t familiar to me at all, either.”

Is it significant that Jason’s and Traci’s are “unknown”?

Kevin said: “Not really. They just haven’t gotten out yet, I guess.”

Does this early buzz encourage you to step further away from the your past films and open you up to more possibilities for the future?

Kevin said: “The Askewniverse films are done, sir. I’ve no choice at this point but to step away. Next flick’s a big, big step away.”

RED STATE

Did working on this movie give you any ideas for Red State? Maybe cast/crew members, locations, etc. that might work for that movie?

Kevin said: “Kenny, our effects guy, told me that Iowa was instating a 50% tax rebate.”

So, there ya have it! A View Askew production possibly coming to IOWA? Plus, a low swag count for the new flick seeming to go along with Kevin’s credo of taking a different road as far as promotions this time. We’ll be back with more news as it breaks — Kudos to the fans for their continued great questions, and to Kevin for the insightful, spoiler-free answers.

Q: Will composer James Venable be doing the score?

Smith: “I think so.”

Q: Who sits with you when you edit?

Smith: “Nobody. It’s like writing, so I’m alone. Once the Avid gets back to the office, I’ll be burying myself in the editing room again, cutting and slashing and getting the flick ready to show (some of) ya’ll in April/May.”

Q: How much footage do you load into the Avid? Just what you think you’ll need, or everything that was shot?

Smith: “Selected takes from each set-up. But generally, I’ll have Patrick load everything but the takes that may have had a technical error (and I’ll even load those sometimes, if the foul-up doesn’t happen ’til midway through or something).”

Q: As you edit, are you consciously thinking about certain areas that might have problems getting the film an R by the MPAA and planning alternate edits of scenes in case they refuse that rating? Or is that something you’re not going to bother with until you submit it for a rating?

Smith: “The first big hurdle will be getting it to an acceptable running time. If there’s an MPAA battle to get into, I’ll worry about it then.”

Q: As production evolved, did the story change at all to the point where certain scenes were combined or omitted or altered just as a result of seeing things played out in person or on the Avid?

Smith: “There were two occasions when this happened…

1) We were on the first shot of what was to be a long set-up day, with another day of exterior set-ups leading into the scene in question. And the more I thought about it, it suddenly didn’t seem necessary. So one set-up into the scene, I iced it all, compressed some info, and went with something else entirely. Works much better than the other thing would’ve.

2) Right before we did the cast/crew screening, I showed the flick to some of the keys and inner circle. With the movie fast cresting toward two hours in already cut-together scenes, and two weeks or so left of shooting, I was looking for stuff to drop. Milos (our first A.D.) suggested dropping a scene that, while funny, didn’t move the plot forward one iota. It was a good cut. Instead, I wrote a much shorter scene that actually lent something to the characters’ development and dovetailed nicely into the third act.”

Q: So do you have any idea when “Zack & Miri Make a Porno” will be open to general public?

Smith: “In the fall, I think.”

Q: Any idea of when the movie will hit UK cinemas? Any chance of London Film Festival?

Smith: “Hopefully before Christmas (though I doubt it) and no clue.”

Q: Did Affleck and Lee make cameos in this one?

Smith: “Negative. There was really nothing for them to do in this one.”

Q: Did you shoot alot of stuff for DVD extras (Behind the Scenes, making of’s etc.) for when it eventually comes out on DVD?

Smith: “I didn’t, but then I never do. I shoot for the film. Whatever’s left over goes on the DVD. Joey and Zak, however, shot boatloads, I believe.”

Q: Now that Zack and Miri is completed are you going straight into Red State or will you wait a little while?

Smith: “As soon as we can scrape the budget together, I’d like to get going.”

Finally today, here’s the first of what we hope will be many more looks at the production design for the film — A logo from the “Bean-N-Gone” coffee shop where Zack works. We always dig the unique look that the design team puts into View Askew’s films, creating their own little world and making for some nice easter eggs to spot in the background. We’ll see what else shows up in the coming weeks.

Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez, “Gigli”

“…Ironically, the failure of “Gigli” led writer-director Kevin Smith to radically pare down Lopez’s role opposite Affleck in “Jersey Girl,” but the couple play off each other brilliantly in the rarely screened original cut of that film, which Smith plans to one day release on DVD.”

BEST ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE – Casey Affleck for “The Assassination Of Jesse James By The Coward Robert Ford” (brother of Ben Affleck, appeared in “Good Will Hunting”)
BEST ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE – Amy Ryan for “Gone Baby Gone” (directed by Ben Affleck, of course)
3 Nominations for Matt Damon’s “Bourne Ultimatum”, for score, editing, and mixing.

Dogma: In Kevin Smith’s religious comedy, the Golgothan is the excrement monster that Jason Lee sends after Jay and Silent Bob. He’s made up of all the evil shit from all over the world, and even has his own action figure that farts when you squeeze it. Unlike the Charmin.

Reaper, E4, 9pm

Imagine a Simon Pegg/Nick Frost-style couple of buddies dropped into a comedy episode of Heroes, and you have Reaper. Tonight’s pilot, in which our champion Sam (Bret Harrison) finds out that his parents sold his soul to the Devil (Ray Wise), also benefits from the direction of the Clerks legend Kevin Smith – it’s great fun, but it’ll be interesting to see how it develops next week without Smith at the helm.

TV Scoop also gives the show a nice little review.

“Zack and Miri Make a Porno” (Fall): Written and directed by Kevin Smith. That’s enough for us.

We couldn’t have typed it better ourselves. Be sure to visit our production page for a complete list of the latest multimedia and press from the film. We’ve just added a few today. See ya next time!

• Kevin estimates that we’ll hear final casting news, at least on his Zack and Miri lead roles, in around 2 weeks, but don’t hold him to it.
• The film will be around a 40 day shoot, shot both in studio and on location in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
• No digital this time around – Zack and Miri will be shot on 35mm film.
• Kevin has a new potential Miri, who LOVES the script. Kevin gushes over a personal meeting with her, and reveals it is indeed the first time he’s chatted with her — A new female joining the Askewniverse? We’re intrigued.

Wanna know what else is new in Kevin’s world? Don’t miss the full week of blog entries, available over at Myspace and Silent Bob Speaks today. Learn some hints about the possible Fox gig, the status of “Red State” (studios are asking!), and more. It’s a quick, easy read this week, but also full of news.

So much is happening, between potential TV pilots, new casting, a reborn Secret Stash west, and the gang heading to western Pennsylvania…Gotta love it.