Kickstarter, a fundraising site designed to help artists raise money for projects they can't afford, has been a fantastic resource for young filmmakers who have a great idea for a movie but lack the cash to get it done. Naturally it's a bit rarer to see professionals creating listings on the site, as studios are typically happy to give money to talented people with an established record, but apparently the animated comic book adaptation of Eric Powell's Goon hasn't been having the greatest luck in those circles, so it's going to the public.
The project, which is being produced by David Fincher, has opened its own Kickstarter page in hopes of raising $400,000 by Sunday November 11th at 8:35am EST. In just a few hours the page has already gotten 561 backers and raised $34,662. The money will go towards the beginning of the filmmaking process and will allow the filmmakers to create a feature length story reel that will be based on the script written by Powell. The mission with the reel is to "give Hollywood a complete look at the Goon film's potential... from his early life in the carnival to busting heads in the mysterious town with no name." Part of the money will also go towards bringing back Paul Giamatti and Clancy Brown to provide voice-overs for the lead characters, Franky and Goon.
If you're a regular visitor to this site than you probably already know about the struggles that The Goon has been going through. The project was first announced in 2008 and since then we've seen some test footage, but never actually anything official. Earlier this year there was some suggestion by Giamatti that the movie was dead, but Powell responded by saying that it's still looking for financing.
As with all Kickstarter projects, there is a reward system in place as well for those that go above and beyond in their donations. Those that donate $10,000 or more to The Goon will get an invite to "a private screening of the finished Goon film story reel at Blur Studio in Venice, California with Eric Powell and the film makers in attendance followed by a lunch with the whole gang" (as well as all of the other prizes listed on the site).
You can watch the test footage from the movie below:
So if you have a few bills burning a hole in your pocket feel free to donate it to the arts. I can't imagine it would be a bad investment.
