Kevin Smith to Direct 'A Couple of Dicks'!?
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Before Zack and Miri Make a Porno hit movie theaters, I sat down for an extensive conversation/lunch with writer-director Kevin Smith where we talked all things, well, Kevin Smith. During that conversation (and the subsequent press junkets), Smith stated that he wanted his next film to be the kinda-sorta horror flick Red State, or a sci-fi comedy potentially starring Seth Rogen. Now, however, ERC is reporting that Warner Bros. has signed Smith to direct the comedy A Couple of Dicks (yup, he's leaving The Weinstein Co.!), starring Bruce Willis and Tracy Morgan. Additionally, ERC says that Warners has already given the film a January 29, 2010 release date.
But here's the most fascinating part of this whole thing: A Couple of Dicks was not written by Kevin Smith -- instead, it was written by Robb and Marc Cullen, and it was featured on the 2008 Blacklist (which is a not-so-secret list of the year's best unproduced screenplays in town). The brief synopsis listed goes as follows: "Two veteran LAPD detectives attempt to track down a stolen, mint-condition, 1952 baseball card." Originally, Robin Williams was set to star in the comedy back when the Cullen brothers were also directing, but he wound up suing the production company when they pulled out and told him they were no longer making the movie (read more at Variety).
So is the film back on now with Kevin Smith behind the camera? And will Smith rewrite the script to make it more of his own? We've sent a note to Kevin to see if this is all legit and will report back with his response.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
3-02-2009 @ 3:50PM
J said...
He should follow this with "A Sale of Two Titties".
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3-02-2009 @ 3:58PM
Mike said...
If the script made it onto the black list, why should Smith rewrite it? If he's chosen to direct something written by someone else, there must be a reason.
Smith dialogue is instantly recognizable. Which can be both a good and bad thing. I'd like to see what he can do translating someone else's voice, rather than just his own. Especially after Zack and Miri Make a Porno, which I felt borrowed a bit too much from his previous work.
I'm not saying he won't want script changes, but if he's gonna turn it into something he would write then what's the point?
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3-02-2009 @ 4:02PM
techstar25 said...
I have a really, really hard time believing this is true.
Smith has been talking about "Red State" for soooo long now. He seems so passionate about getting that project started.
However, Smith has said he would to work with Bruce Willis (again), and I bet he's a big Tracy Morgan fan as well, so I guess it's possible.
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3-02-2009 @ 4:04PM
Mike said...
I believe he was having trouble obtaining funding for Red State. I don't think the box office for Zack and Miri helped.
3-02-2009 @ 10:25PM
Monkeydog said...
Tracy Morgan was actually in Jay and Silent Bob Strikes Back.
3-02-2009 @ 4:13PM
Eric said...
Does anyone hear listen to his smodcasts? He has said for the last couple of episodes he would be doing this. The man wants to try new things. I think he is going though a midlife crisis. He seems to really be pondering his place in the world and the Legacy he is going to leave behind. The Failure of Zack and Miri at the box office has really gotten to him. I loved the film. But he wants to try new things. So good for him. Also Scott Mosier is Directing a film. So he will not be producing this with Kevin.
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3-02-2009 @ 7:43PM
MCW said...
I listen to Smodcast, but I just started listening to it this year, so I haven't caught up to the newest episodes yet. Did not know Scott was directing a movie, that is news to me - but good news. Wonder if it will be about talking chickens, or perhaps dogs named Sheckie? :)
I loved Zach & Miri too (Waited for the Blu-ray, and bought it), there is nothing wrong with it... it's as good as Clerks 2. Box Office numbers aren't everything - some of my favorite films of all time had low takes in theaters (Usually making it up on disc).