Now, for the request: If you’d like to send us the press items concerning the rumors, cool, but we’re not going to respond or post these articles on the page. So please, just chill on the subject, it’s not a major deal, really. And don’t ask us to tell you, cuz we just won’t. Not at this time. Thanks for understanding, folks.

Cinescape Magazine: Writer-Director Kevin Smith Reveals Misguided Efforts To Make New Superman Movie

Smith Says Producer Jon Peters Asked for a Gay R2-D2 and a Space Dog for Toy Licensing; The Writer/Director Doubts the New Movie Will be Finished in Time

For a Summer 1999 Release

CHICAGO, April 7 /PRNewswire/ — Cinescape Magazine reveals new details about the upcoming Warner Bros. Superman movie in its May/June issue. Talking with writer-director Kevin Smith (now filming Dogma in Pittsburgh), Cinescape Senior Editor Edward Gross offers a unique glimpse at the scribe’s behind-the-scenes battles with Superman producer Jon Peters as well as his version of the events that ultimately led to his dismissal from the project.

Among Smith’s comments:

“I was fascinated by my meeting with Jon Peters because this was the guy who produced Batman, and to hear him tell the story, you wouldn’t think director] Tim Burton meant anything in the making of that film.”

“[Peters said], ‘You know why you and me are going to get this project right and make a great movie? Because you and me understand Superman; we’re from the streets.’ I was like, ‘You were a hairdresser once. I’m from the suburbs. Neither of us are from the streets.'” “Peters went to the premiere [of Smith’s film Chasing Amy] in Los Angeles and the next day he said, ‘That gay black guy in your movie did an excellent job; that’s what we need in Superman Lives. We need that kind of attitude. Can’t El-Ron [the villain’s robot assistant] be gay? I want a gay R2-D2.’ I was thinking that this man is either the most progressive individual in films today or just a flat-out idiot. It’s a real thin line.”

“[Peters] was always saying that Brainiac [one of the villains] should give Luthor a space dog, something from that menagerie of his. He gives Luthor a dog, Luthor is afraid of the dog and the dog hates him. I’m like, ‘It doesn’t really lend to the story, why do you want that?’ Because I need a Chewie.’ This was during the time of Star Wars’ re-release and he said, ‘Chewie’s cuddly, man, you could make a toy out of him, so you’ve got to give me a dog.’ He’s forever influenced by the things he’s seen.”

Smith, who is best known for critically lauded independent films such as Clerks and Chasing Amy, was ousted from the Superman project shortly after turning in his script. Tim Burton took over the film, which is set to begin shooting this summer. Nicolas Cage will star as the Man of Steel.

By the way, if anyone can forward us a copy or two of the article in print, we’d appreciate it for our collection! Thanks.

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‘Clerks’ director coming in June

Independent filmmaker Kevin Smith-the director of Clerks, Mallrats, and Chasing Amy-will speak at the Ohio Union at 7:30 p.m. June 2.

He’ll give a brief lecture on indie filmmaking, then take audience questions for more than two hours. Don’t worry, he’ll have plenty to talk about: Besides his directing/acting stints, he’s been bumped as screenwriter for the new Superman movie, is shooting a new film (Dogma) in Pittsburgh, andis the guy who got Miramax to take a peek at a little script called Good Will Hunting”.

Tickets are $10 (students $5). They go on sale through Ticketmaster on April 10.

BEN DOES BONHAM CARTER

The Oscar party of the year was Miramax‘s pre-awards dinner March 22 at the Regent Beverly Wilshire. It’s become an annual tradition: actor nominees from one Miramax movie parody nominees from other Miramax productions.

This year, Robin Williams donned a rhinestone tiara to play Judi Dench in a scene from “Mrs. Brown”; Dench and Helena Bonham Carter did that wonderfully overwritten scene from “Good Will Hunting,” wherein Ben Affleck tells Matt Damon he doesn’t want to see him in the same place “20 years from now”; and Ben and Matt returned the compliment by doing a scene from “The Wings of the Dove”.

Affleck appeared in drag to get into his Bonham Carter role and borrowed Madonna’s cape for the scene. In her usual snarky mood, the Big M started grousing loudly when Affleck forgot and left her cape on the stage.

Oh, and what else happened? Matt Damon was all over current-girlfriend Winona Ryder, and ex-girlfriend Minnie Driver (his co-star in “Good Will Hunting”) was an obvious no-show. Smart girl.

Following months of speculation comes word that yes, Chasing Amy‘s Joey Lauren Adams and Swingers’ Vince Vaughn are an item.

And perhaps a serious one. Our spies caught up with them at the Miramaxparty in L.A. on Oscar night. Shortly after 3a.m., paparazzi started shooting as the couple exited down the red carpet.

When a photographer asked them to pose, Adams took the lenswoman aside and said: “You can shoot us when we get married.”

We can just hear it now: “Joey, you’re money, baby! You’re so money and you don’t even KNOW it!”