Kevin Smith’s horror script Red State was given a pass by The Weinstein Co. The impression I have gotten so far is that Red State might be the type of horror film that Hollywood may be too afraid to make.
I remember a day when Harvey wasn’t ever afraid. But we now live in a post-Grindhouse world, where even Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez can’t guarantee an nontraditional film will make money. This is rather disappointing because it appears to be Smith’s most unique script yet (far away from his normal “dick and fart joke comedy”).
“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.”
Smith published Harvey’s initial e-mail response to the film in September, and it didn’t sound positive back then:
Dear Kevin,
I’ve been traveling back and forth between festivals so I’m sorry I have not been in touch. Your new script is quite disturbing and challenging, a departure from what I’m used to reading from you. I’d like my brother to take a look and get his thoughts.
All my best,
Harvey
Honestly, I think it would be interesting to see Kevin and Scott go back to their low budget indie roots and just make a film themselves. It seems like Smith initially wanted to take that approach with Clerks 2 (more of the low budget than the independently financed part), but in the end it didn’t make sense having all the cast and crew work for next to nothing on a sequel. Plus I think The Weinstein’s wanted a bigger name for the Becky role, which eventually went to Rosario Dawson.0 But looking back now, I can’t imagine the movie without Rosario.
On his popular podcast show, Smith has mused about independently financing a film through his friends on MySpace (seriously). He brought up the idea that the friends that invested would get points on the back end. Obviously this is a very unrealistic approach, and I’m sure with all the venture capital out there, Smith will find someone, if not another studio, to do his horror film.
It will be interesting to see how this develops. Obviously, Kevin and crew will be starting full time work on Zack and Miri soon, so this will be on the back burner until post production hits.
source: SilentBob
October 5th, 2007 at 1:29 pm
“Obviously this is a very unrealistic approach”
…why? This is exactly the kind of thing his fans would go for. He could raise A LOT of money this way. He would basically just be selling stock shares in the film.
I hope he does just because it sounds fun to see how it turns out - and Kevin is a guy who lives to have fun and be challenged…
October 5th, 2007 at 1:38 pm
God I hate Kevin Smith. Wait, did I say that out loud…
October 5th, 2007 at 2:15 pm
ummmm… maybe they’re passing because smith hasn’t done anything remotely good or original since ‘chasing amy’.
but i like how it’s been spun to make smith seem like a ‘cutting edge’ ideas guy… nicely played on both sides!
October 5th, 2007 at 2:21 pm
I know I’m biased, but I begg to differ with you: Dogma was a great film, and Clerks II was one of the best comedy movies of last year.
October 5th, 2007 at 2:54 pm
It’s a real tribute to Smith’s shrewd use of the Internet to keep his profile alive that he’s managed to sustain a career in the movie industry, as he has no detectable talent as writer, director, editor or actor.
October 5th, 2007 at 3:15 pm
No detectable talent would mean that the harsh critics wouldn’t like his films. Chasing Amy and Clerks are currently scoring around 90% on Rotten Tomatoes, and aside from Jersey Girl, he hasn’t had a “rotten” movie yet.
October 5th, 2007 at 5:58 pm
I feel more and more that the Weinstein Bros. may be hurting indie films more than helping them. They have, in the past, turned art films commercial, and now they seem to reject art films that aren’t commercial enough. Kevin Smith and the Weinsteins have a long history together, and the Weinsteins should realize that Kevin Smith has a huge cult following. People will go to his movie because it has his name on it. Unless this is some sort of marketing ploy, I think that the Weinsteins have sold out.
October 5th, 2007 at 9:19 pm
It’s no surprise. It was quite obvious this would happen. I’m a huge Kevin Smith fan, so I look forward to seeing this, assuming it gets pick up, which it should by somebody. And by the way Peter, Mallrats and Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back were both Rotten on Rotten Tomatoes. But you make a good point countering the post saying he has no talent. Obviously not true. Why these people bother posting here I don’t understand.
October 5th, 2007 at 10:18 pm
Jonathan,
You are indeed correct, I don’t know how I missed those, both of which are just below fresh. But it should be noted that Ebert gave Jay and Bob 3 stars, that has to count for something.
Peter
October 6th, 2007 at 9:14 am
Thanks for sharing
October 8th, 2007 at 4:27 pm
I think Kevin Smith is a naturally talented writer, but has yet to really develop any skills outside of his dialogue, or at least showcase those skills. But there’s a lot of potential, so it’s good to see that he’s beginning to take some risks.
…with Red State, at least.
October 9th, 2007 at 4:19 am
Kevin Smith is a one note media whore.
It’s about time somebody of status gave him the big fat middle finger.
He hasn’t made a good movie since Chasing Amy, …Clerks 2 was deplorable on very level.
Thank you Harvey for a good call!
October 30th, 2007 at 2:38 am
From what I’ve seen, Kevin Smith is a “love him or hate him” kind of guy in regards to his film works. I guess we know where jason falls in. LOL Personally, I’ve enjoyed all of his stuff with the exception of Jersey Girl…but I think it was more of a genre thing than the movie itself.