I’m enthusiastic to see Kevin Smith branching out and trying new things. Then again, I was one of those who thought Smith did a good job with Jersey Girl, so maybe I’m not as critical of Smith as I should be. Much like when it was announced that the writer/director/actor would be adapting Green Hornet, I got very excited to hear about Smith’s plans for a horror film, Red State. Well, it appears not everyone is as excited, as the Weinstein Brothers have opted to pass on the project based on the screenplay.
Smith offers the update from his myspace blog:
Harvey and Bob are passing on "Red State."
It's the first time Harvey and Bob have passed on anything I've wanted to do, but if they were gonna pass on anything, this'd be the one to do it on. The only explanation Michael gives me is "Harvey thought it was more of a Bob flick and then Bob didn't get it. They'd rather just concentrate on 'Zack and Miri' at the moment, which we're all pumped about."
Naturally, this makes me wanna make "Red State" even more than I did just prior to that phone call. I get excited thinking about having to raise financing for our hot potato of a flick. This represents a turning point of sorts for Scott and I, inasmuch as everything (with the exception of "Mallrats") has been made with the Weinsteins. It might be nice to see if we can get something done without them. Whether it'll be nice or not, however, it's what's in the cards, as they don't feel the flick is very commercial. And, in truth, on the surface, it may not be - unless we get the buzz I think we'll get off the festival circuit. Regardless, it's not something we'll have to think about 'til after we're done with "Zack and Miri Make a Porno."
Although this is disappointing news, it’s not exactly unexpected. Smith warned people a while ago that this might happen when Harvey kind of put off giving a response to the script because he wanted his brother’s opinion. Smith has even said this is unlike anything he’s ever written before – so much so that he thinks if he put it out under a different name nobody would ever connect it with him. I think that’s a good thing, but it also could mean he doesn’t think he can bank on his staple audience necessarily.
I hope someone picks this up because I really want to see Smith do something a little different. In the meantime, at least the Weinsteins are excited about Zack and Miri Make a Porno which should be a lot of fun from what we’re hearing.
