“Preacher was never “set up” at View Askew with a $25mil budget. http://t.co/CY2WSx5 At one point, Garth & Steve grabbed a beer & burger with me & @SMosier at the Tribeca Grill, where we said “Use our names for whatever our names are worth.” Our names were worth bupkis. @SMosier & I pitched it to BobWeinstein, who said “I don’t get it. This is a comic book? The Crow I get. This? No.” And that was the extent of our involvement with Preacher: a beer & burger & a no from Bob. It was Rachel Talalay’s flick; me & just fans of the book & the creative team of Garth & Steve. James Marsden was never involved during this period (which wasn’t even a period, so much as a three day stretch). So strange to watch a fiction become fact. Happy to have Twitter as a means to correct misinformation.”

Coach said “Buddy, remember your role: the fast guys get paid, they shoot & they score. Protect them, Buddy, that’s what you’re here for.” With all due respect to RedState, Hit Somebody is all I can think about lately. Top shelf, glove-side in 2012.

The goal is for a Toronto Film Festival preem of this one in the Fall of 2012 — We’d sure love to be there as Kevin’s last ever debuts to the world, much like we were lucky enough to be for “Dogma” back in ’99.

Via @ericjosepi “Do you worry that in self-producing and self-releasing RED STATE you are in effect becoming a studio yourself?”

No. But why would that matter? Studios aren’t evil, they just tell different stories than I’m interested in telling anymore. But while I have no aim to open a studio (we’re not gonna MAKE movies at SModcastPictures, we’re gonna get already-made movies SEEN), what would be the big deal. I’ll never forget this dopey article I read post-Sundance where someone wrote something like “If Smith’s not careful, he may become the very Empire he’s fighting against.” Now, I’m a writer – so I understand a writer’s desire to write what THEY want. And that writer, apparently, had a hard-on to get a dopey STAR WARS reference into the piece, because… y’know… I’ve liked STAR WARS. Problem is, it makes no sense. How does opting AWAY from spending millions in marketing even equate to becoming a studio? And how does one take a simple, sweet idea like “We’d like to be the Island of Misfit Toys for films that can’t find homes,” become “Ultimate power corrupts absolutely. It’s not like we announced an IPO or received a billion in VentureCap money. But the writer had a hard-on to use a (really terrible & inaccurate) STAR WARS analogy, so suddenly, I’m Anakin Skywalker. Lots of articles that came out of Sundance seemed to be written at 50,000 feet with no oxygen, but a few seemed to actually understand that @TheJonGordon aren’t trying to make money off this endeavor; it’s about the filmmakers. I was given lots of time, patience & space over the last 20 years to tell my stories; with SModcast Pictures, I just wanna give folks that moment I had with CLERKS: when I realized all that work wasn’t for naught. Someone else cared. This is the Gretzky-est thing I can do: reach back (not around) & give back to indie film, non-profit, pro-bono, the way it gave to me. If that makes me Vader, all I can say is “NOOOOOOOO!!!”

Their comments:

The poster itself follows suit with most of the others; creepy damaged texture, black background, and a character. Ours is Sarah. In the trailer above, she’s in it very little – which tells me she’s up to no good in the flick. Especially with that one vacant smile she’s got. Want to meet her? Everyone, Sarah. Sarah, everyone.

Side note: I dig how Sarah’s looking up and in a previous poster featuring ‘The Father,’ he’s looking down – ah, the little things)

There you have it, friends. Sarah. Of Red State fame.

And hey, we paid a thousand bucks. Donated to charity. Pimped someone else’s flick. If you’re not going to donate to the aforementioned charity (which you should) or go see the flick when it’s out (which you should) the least you could do is check out some of our past short films posted below and/or here. Also, follow us on twitter and come back once in a while for news about our upcoming thriller, Granted.

Kev says…

If you’re a movie website or film journalist and you want to feature this poster or use it in a story, don’t be a detail-thin dick.

Be sure to tell people WHY the poster was released: because Ma’s Meatloaf bid $1000 to Eliza Dushku’s THARCE-Gulu cause in less than 30 minutes.

If you also include the link for the THARCE-Gulu charity in your story/article, you’re not only being a thorough journalist, you’re also helping to save actual lives – lives whose progress you’ll be able to trace via http://www.tonic.com/campaigns/lets-help-eliza-dushku-build-a-center-for-former-child-soldiers-in-uganda-tharce-gulu/ and tharce-gulu.org

It only takes a few seconds longer to provide all available facts in any story.

Including THIS fact can help save a child’s life.

If you wanna follow the latest on “Red State”, listen to a brand new (and all back-issued) episodes of “Red State of the Union” (the latest reveals details on the film’s music). While you’re there, browse the other SModcast Network programs including a brand new episode of PLUS ONE featuring Jen Schwalbach. In episode #5, the couple look back on the year of 2010.

Michael Parks isn’t the most notable name in the world, but if you know the works of Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino you know his face. One of the most distinct characters of their universe, he is Texas Ranger Earl McGraw, seen in From Dusk Till Dawn, Grindhouse and Kill Bill and now he’s heading to the View Askew world.

During his annual Kevin Smith conversation at Comic Con, Smith announced that Parks has officially signed on to star in his next film, the horror film Red State. For those that are unaware, the film will be somewhat based on the Westboro Baptist Church, who, coincidentally, are picketing this year’s Comic Con. Parks’ role will be based on the role of Fred Phelps, who founded the church.

Parks is a terrific actor and certainly deserves his day. It is well documented that Smith, Tarantino and Rodriguez are all within the same circle so it’s fairly unsurprising to see them sharing an actor. It’s hard to even remember the last time that Parks had a lead role, but this could be fantastic.

Congratulations to Kevin and all involved on a home run start to the casting of “Red State”. We can’t wait to see Parks chew the scenery in this one.

Kevin’s got links to the latest free episodes on the network, and a few other details about future potential episodes:

This Wednesday at @SModcastle! A Jetsons-Meet-the-Flintstones-sized crossover with the @Nerdist! http://smodcastle.com/shows/nerdist

Meet KERRY BISHE’ (‘The Virgin’ from the RedState poster) on the brand new RED STATE OF THE UNION podcast: http://smodcast.com/redstate/

Via @yousuckatkijiji “This week’s GetOld is the best thing I’ve heard you/Jay ever do.” It was a perfect episode. http://smodcast.com/getold

Hear a scatalogical new #SMODCAST for filthy-mouthed, dirty poo(h) talk! SMod # 151 – When We Were Very Young: http://tinyurl.com/SMubscribe

Via @KnowMeOhMe “Jan14 GetOld at 10pm at Lovitz and SMod3D at 9pm at Borderline? Do you have a time turner?” Borderline show moved to MAY.

Babble the fuck on with me & @RalphGarman in a brand new HOLLYWOOD BABBLE-ON: http://smodcast.com/babbleon/

Via @Monst3r_Cat “Will we be getting any more CrimsonMysticalMages?” Verily! And even better: @SMosier HIMSELF is writing the next chapter!

Via @SynysterSheila “Is Jeff Anderson awesome in real life as he seems on commentary tracks?” Awesomer. And he’s coming BACK to @SModcastle!

News on the return of Anderson to SModcastle is big, so we’ll of course be following that story, have details on the return of Crimson Mystical Mages, and lots more. Stick with us, or @ThatKevinSmith on Twitter.

• Friday, July 23 – KROQ Live From Comicon (Morning)
• Friday, July 23 – Etnies Kev’s Kicks Sneaker & Podcast Party (Evening, SDCC)
• Saturday, July 24 – Film Threat Anniversary Party – (SDCC, 5:30-6:30pm in Room 24ABC)
• Saturday, July 24 – Kevin Smith LIVE Q&A in Hall H – 7:15pm
• Saturday, July 24 – Cop Out Maximum Comedy Mode screening – (SDCC, Hilton Bayfront – 10:00pm)
• Sunday, July 25 – SModcastle Grand Opening, SModcastle (Los Angeles, California) – SOLD OUT!
• Monday, July 26 – Live SModcast & Tell ‘Em Steve-Dave, Improv Theater (Tempe, Arizona)
• Tuesday, July 27 – Live SModcast & Tell ‘Em Steve-Dave, Allen Cineport (Las Cruces, New Mexico)
• Wednesday, July 28 – Live SModcast & Tell ‘Em Steve-Dave, Granada Theater (Dallas, Texas)
• Thursday, July 29 – Live SModcast & Tell ‘Em Steve-Dave, Alamo West Oaks (Houston, Texas)
• Saturday, July 31 – Live SModcast & Tell ‘Em Steve-Dave, Studio 35 (Columbus, Ohio)
• Monday, August 2 – Kevin Smith LIVE, Count Basie Theater (Red Bank, New Jersey)
• Sunday, August 8 – Kevin Smith LIVE, Sydney Opera House, (Sydney, Australia) – SOLD OUT!
• Monday, August 9 – Kevin Smith LIVE, Sydney Opera House, (Sydney, Australia)
• Wednesday, November 3 – Kevin Smith LIVE, Centre in the Square (Kitchener, Ontario)

Kevin’s expected to announce at least two major roles for “Red State” this weekend, both who will be total or relative unknowns, so stick around, we should have some interesting stuff coming up over the next few days. And of course, don’t miss your chance to catch Kevin at these upcoming live events if you’ve got the means. Get outta the house, help the economy, spend some cash and have a fantastic night out on the town. And of course, if you’re lucky enough to attend any of the SDCC events this year, we look forward to your photos and reports. More news soon!

Today, the brand new Jay & Silent Bob Themed website, http://jayandsilentbob.com/, debuted, with hints of a new “ThatKevinSmith” site on the way as well as a new project titled “Bluntman Begins”. The new site’s another Ming Chen masterpiece and features those famous Mallrats blueprints in its opening splash, along with links to get you to everything relating to Smith and Mewes, including, of course, all the places you can see them live, and hear them on the web.

So what’s a fan to do while they wait for the network? Catch up on the latest SModNetwork shows, of course.

• It’s time to BABBLE the fuck on as me & @RalphGarman tackle all the entertainment headlines that matter: http://www.smodcast.com/babbleon/
• Heading to work? Me & @JenSchwalbach wanna go with you, so bring the newest episode of PLUS ONE: http://www.smodcast.com/plusone
• UMP-DAY! Celebrate it by hearing @JayMewes getting air-humped in a brand new JAY AND SILENT BOB GET OLD! http://smodcast.com/getold/

But that’s not all — Kevin’s coming home to New Jersey, Morristown to be exact, for a big show on Friday night. Last we heard tix are still available so hit that link to get your order and
have them waiting for you at the will-call window. And don’t forget, there’s four more dates leading up to the big SIR debut where you can see both SModcast and Get Old LIVE — With the radio show kicking off, we dunno when your next chance to see this type of live show will be, so we URGE you — If you’re in Kingson, NY, Kansas City, Milwaukee, or Chicago — Take advantage and GET TO THESE SHOWS!

TOMORROW MORNING (or late night tonight, as you prefer), don’t miss a preview of what Kevin and Jay will be delivering this may, as they once again hop back on the Ustream feeds to cover the Royal Wedding – LIVE! If you heard about all that went on during the auction feeds, you’ll know you missed a big online moment — Be sure you don’t miss out on this one. Watch the guys on their Ustream channel at 2am LA time, 5am NY time, and 10am UK time. TONIGHT!

Surprise, haters! Kevin Smith’s big Red State gamble has paid off. A report last week cited Smith as having announced that his film was ‘in the black’ during a keynote address at a National Association of Broadcasters event last week, a vague phrase that suggested that somehow Red State had earned back its $4 million budget through Smith’s 15-city screening and speaking tour. Yet Box Office Mojo lists a mere $851,832 box office take to date. How does Smith’s math work out, exactly?

Pretty well, as it turns out, but not exactly as you might guess. Responding to Movieline via e-mail to clarify the Red State matter, Smith corrected tech/business blog GigaOM’s initial assumption: “That article is inaccurate, but the sentiment is in the same ballpark.”

…

Not too shabby considering that, as Smith proudly points out, the Red State roadshows didn’t employ any outside marketing budget beyond his own already-in-place SModcast media infrastructure. Initially, however, many were skeptical that Smith’s self-release plan could meet the early goal of earning back even half of its $4 million budget. After the first roadshow date, Twitchfilm’s Todd Brown went so far as to run the numbers with a little speculative math, determining that the Red State roadshow was unlikely to recoup the targeted $2 million once screening and travel expenses were tabulated.

Brown’s hypothetical equation didn’t include merchandising sales, which Smith folds in with his ticket sales, and assumes that theater rental rates and talent travel for Q&A appearances would cut into the numbers substantially. However, that didn’t account for the foreign sales Smith includes or the domestic home video/VOD/streaming sales that he says are near completion.

Read Movieline’s full story at their site.

This poor Easter bunny gets beaten to a furry pulp by stoners Jay and Silent Bob in front of a shopping centre full of children in Kevin Smith’s 1995 box office bomb-turned cult classic.

In fairness, those suits are provocatively creepy.

Cuddle Rating: 2/10. Probably lice-ridden.

Through the use of a new crowd funding site called Kickstarter, you can donate as little as 5 bucks and receive special thanks, with recognition all the way up to film credits, producer credits, special prizes, and more. Malc’s looking to raise $20,000 to help fund a trip to Australia to film the backbone interview for the feature. But don’t let us tell you about it, here’s Mr. Malcolm Ingram himself with all the details.

We’re hoping to see View Askew fans unite, chip in, and help Malcolm get his next documentary off the ground. Pass the word around via Twitter or other circles!