Over on his blog, Kevin Smith has released another new image from Zack and Miri Make a Porno, promising fans that the film's first internet-only teaser will debut on his site, www.quickstopentertainment.com, when he returns home from a trip to the east coast next week. Additionally, Smith says he'll be at San Diego Comic Con again this year (we missed ya at NYCC, Kev!), and to (most likely) look out for a panel in the big room on Friday night. Panel? Does that mean he'll have a bunch of cast members with him? Does that mean he'll debut the first full-length trailer for the film? Does that mean he'll give out candy?!

From looking at the photo, it appears we'll be getting some fun adult hockey in the flick, which, in case you didn't know (or forgot) tells of two platonic friends (Seth Rogen and Elizabeth Banks) who, strapped for cash, decide to make a porno. Check out a couple more images from the film in our gallery below. Zack and Miri Make a Porno arrives in theaters this fall.

I'm sorry, but this has got to be one of the strangest projects in recent years. The Hollywood Reporter tells us that Elizabeth Banks is about to sign on to play First Lady Laura Bush in that George W. Bush biopic Oliver Stone is directing. If she signs on, Banks will join Josh Brolin, who's already landed the part of our current President of the United States. Banks, who, funnily enough, just wrapped a film called Zack and Miri Make a Porno, would probably make a pretty good Laura Bush. She definitely resembles a much younger version of the woman, and, like Mrs. Bush, as an actress Banks often fades into the background.

Then again, some folks might think Brolin and Banks are way too hot to be playing the President and the First Lady. Personally, I feel Josh Brolin needs the most work -- but if he slims down and practices that famous Bush dialogue, I can almost see it. The film, which will be called simply W, will begin shooting in Shreveport, Louisiana in late April. Stone will direct off a script he co-wrote with Stanley Weiser (Wall Street).

What do you think about this film? Are the lives of George W. Bush and Laura Bush really that interesting? Or, will Oliver Stone make them interesting?

Cinematical has just confirmed that The Weinstein Co. plans to release Zack and Miri Make a Porno on October 31, 2008 (aka, Halloween babyyyyyy!). The film, which recently wrapped production, is currently in post-production -- where Smith is editing in HD, using Adrenaline, which he claims "crashes at least twice a night" according to statements he's made on his message board. Thus, he's gotten used to hitting the save button. Zack and Miri stars Seth Rogen and Elizabeth Banks as two platonic friends who, hard up for cash, decide to make an adult film. At some point during the process, however, they begin to have "more than friends" feelings for one another.

The film also stars Smith regulars Jason Mewes and Jeff Anderson, as well as Traci Lords, Craig Robinson, Tom Savini and Smith's hottie wife, Jennifer. Recently, Smith stopped by his site to offer up a second summary of his time in production, where he noted that he kinda wants to keep things under wraps for awhile: " I want folks to discover the flick for themselves, instead of me jamming it down their throats. I'm also gonna try to keep from over-selling it with hyperbole and absolutes. I'll let you guys apply those (good or bad) when the time comes. Just know that we had a problem-free, productive shoot in which everyone was firing on all cylinders and the result was THE FUNNIEST F**KING MOVIE WE'VE EVER MADE!!!"

Once again, Zack and Miri Make a Porno will arrive in theaters on October 31. Oscar push?? Maybe???

Considering how much Kevin Smith hates having his surprises spoiled online, he got really lucky with the new on-set photos from his latest comedy, Zack and Miri Make a Porno. Slashfilm is now hosting a couple photos taken on set at a local mall, as well as some shaky camera footage of the man at work. Nothing groundbreaking, but hey, Smith always brings a smile to my face, so I'm not complaining.

Zack and Miri is the story of two childhood friends who are brought together again at their high school reunion. The two then come up with the idea of making a porn flick together. Seth Rogen stars as Zack and Elizabeth Banks plays Miri. Originally the role had been written for Rosario Dawson, but she backed out to work on Eagle Eye with Shia LaBeouf.

Rehearsals for the film started back in January, and judging by Smith's posting on his personal blog, things seem to be going well. Smith wrote that, "I've got a guy whose inflections I wrote for/to reading the scenes and sounding like he's not acting at all, as much as being the character. I've got a chick who could read the Bible aloud and make it seem charming. They're naturals. They're excellent". OK, so Smith has never been known to be less than totally committed to his films for better or for worse. Luckily, it looks like this one is going to be one of the better ones. Zack and Miri Make a Porno is scheduled for release later this year.

We've known that Seth Rogen and Elizabeth Banks are the two stars of Zack and Miri Make a Porno for a while now, but I'm sure you've been wondering who the other porn-o-riffic cohorts are. Could there be Jason Mewes? Jeff Anderson? Other peeps from the View Askewniverse? Making a game out of it, Kevin Smith posted the above picture on his message board, saying that this was a glimpse of his supporting cast. You might find some of the eyes and brows obvious, but none have been officially confirmed yet. Make your guesses and then see some of the main contenders and definite matches after the jump.

UPDATE: The Hollywood Reporter has announced all the names, and they are: Traci Lords, Jason Mewes, Rick Mabe, Jeff Anderson, Craig Robinson and Katie Morgan.

[via Slash Film]

Kevin Smith has always had pretty close contact with his fans. He ships off signed copies of his DVDs via his own store, he surfs the net and comments on sites including this one, and has laid the podium down, treating fans to a number of spoken word engagements that pack the house with fanboys and fangirls. But that's not all, he's also giving you all the chance to be in his porno! Or rather, his new film called Zack and Miri Make a Porno.

As you might remember, the flick stars Seth Rogen as Zack, and Elizabeth Banks as Miri. They are a pair of platonic friends who decide to make a porn movie to rake in some much-needed cash. While bringing the flick together, however, the two develop more-than-friends feelings for each other. (Rogen must be the luckiest nerd to ever live.) Now, I'm pretty sure that they don't need extras to be in the film's porn, nor fluffers or anything of that sort, but if you'd like to be seen somewhere in the film, Smith is opening the floodgates. As the director says, it could be "just your shoulder, and only for a second," but I'm sure that it would be a great experience.

If you want to help make the Porno, you just need your age and contact info, as well as a head-shot and a fully-clothed body shot. You can find the particulars over at Silent Bob Speaks. Now, this isn't some ritzy gig -- should you be chosen, you'll only get minimum wage, and if you live outside of the Pittsburgh area, you'll have to pay for your own accommodations. But still, would you really want to pass up the chance?

Minnesotta. The land of ten thousand lakes, cold winters, and some Great Lake-front property. It's the state responsible for Brenda and Brandon Walsh. It's where one heck of an Overnight Delivery was sent. It's also the state where you want to make porn. Err... Well, it was said to be the state Kevin Smith was traveling to for his upcoming comedy Zack and Miri Make a Porno. Not anymore. Smith found a much better state suited for 30-somethings looking to start an amateur porn business -- Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania!

His View Askew message board has been heating up with bits of news about the upcoming comedy focusing on Zack and Miri, two people who have reached their thirties, have rent problems and a reunion looming, and decide to get into the amateur porn business. The location was moved to Pittsburgh, because it's cheaper (and coincidentally, it happens to be 10 years after the last time he shot there), it will include studio and location shooting over a roughly 40-day period, and Smith hopes to have some news about who will join Jason Mewes on the cast in the next few weeks. In the meantime, we can muse. My vote: Eliza Dushku could make tough girl, fighter porn with a different Dawson, James Van Der Beek, who can pull off some loserishness and toughness -- because every amateur needs a special talent. I don't know why, but my brain refuses to think of anyone else. Who would you cast as some young 30-somethings who get into porn, and just what would their specialty be?

[Via Canoe]

Last month, we told you how it was being rumored (via AICN) that Jason Bateman was going to co-star alongside someone who was not Rosario Dawson in Kevin Smith's next flick, Zack and Miri Make a Porno. While I absolutely adore Bateman, and love how he's turned his career around in the last few years, part of me couldn't see him in the role of a late 20's slacker who, along with his female friend, decide to jump into the amateur porn business. One reason for this was that Bateman is 38 years-old, and not someone I'd expect in the lead. Whether or not Smith had other plans for him -- we do not know -- but what we do know is that Bateman has officially squashed the rumor.

While out promoting his latest film, Juno, at the Toronto International Film Festival, Slashfilm caught up with Bateman and asked about his participation in Zack and Miri. Bateman's response: "No, I read that, but no, Not at all. I met him [Smith] at a coffee bean and tea leaf in LA about three months ago, and that's about as close to the accuracy of it." So that's what Bateman is saying, but we all know how these things work -- he may have been told to deny deny deny until contracts are official or what have you; as of now, there's been no word from Smith (who's usually pretty vocal about his films) either way. IMDb still lists the actor as being "in talks" for the role of Zack, although I wouldn't go by what they say. Personally, I'm not sure who I'd want to play Zack. Jason Lee is always fantastic when he collaborates with Smith, but he's also a tad old for the role. I'll tell you who I'd like to see play Miri though -- either Christina Ricci or Zooey Deschanel, with the latter higher up on my list. Zooey tends to be a bit dark, but if you've seen her on Weeds, you know she can handle Smith's dialogue with ease. Kev, if you're reading this, please look at Zooey. Please. With production starting this winter, I expect casting announcements to hit rather soon.

So the last we heard from the famously talkative Kevin Smith regarding Zack and Miri Make a Porno, the casting of Rosario Dawson as one of the co-leads was pretty much a done deal, at least in Smith's head. Well, what a difference a few weeks can make. The MTV Movie Blog reports Dawson will not be reuniting with Smith for his comedy about two old friends who go into the amateur porn business and have absolutely nothing to do with Jay or Silent Bob along the way. MTV spoke with the actress about her upcoming rape drama, Descent, and when asked about Zack and Miri, Dawson said, "It's going to be a really interesting film. I don't think I'm going to be a part of it. He wrote it for me, but I'm just signing on to do [Eagle Eye] and that's going to be shooting from November to March".

Dawson will be joining Shia LaBoeuf and Michelle Monaghan in Eye, a political thriller that originated with Steven Spielberg about a family mistaken for terrorists and forced on the run. MTV also spoke with Eagle Eye director D.J. Caruso about Dawson's role in the thriller, but would only say that she would be playing a character named Zoey. News of Dawson's no-go on Zack and Miri has already hit the View Askewniverse, but so far there has been no official comment from the man himself. Smith had planned on starting production on Zack and Miri late this fall before heading off to helm his first horror flick, Red State. So, could this mean that Zack and Miri will be delayed while Smith searches for a new lead? I wouldn't worry; Smith has proven time and again that he is a master at thinking on his feet.

Kevin Smith has had a panel at almost every Comic-Con since for the past umpteen years, and the line for it is always out the door, around the corner, down the block, across the street, and stretches into Mexico. You can be sure of one thing at most Cons, and that is the fact that you're going to need to line up early to get into this thing.

Wait, I meant to say you can be sure of two things. One, line up early for anything Kevin Smith related, and two ... be prepared for a lot of swear words. This really isn't the sort of thing you want to be bringing your seven year old daughter to in her Pokemon costume unless you want to be explaining some fairly graphic things to her. If you do, get ready for an incessant stream of, "Daddy, why is everyone laughing?" Although the eleven-year-old kid in front of me sure seemed to get a lot of the oral sex jokes. Wow.

One thing that Comic-Con isn't complete without is Kevin Smith's signature "talk." You give the guy an hour or so, and he'll fill it up everything from movie news, to anecdotes about life that usually involve oral sex, to his own level of geekery.

Kevin was gracious enough to not only sit down with me for an hour after his panel was over, but he also let me know that he was really digging our Comic-Con coverage. According to him, he was only five minutes away from the convention center, but our liveblogging let him stay seated in an air-conditioned, geek-free, no costume zone. Not that he doesn't love that stuff, but when given the choice, sometimes your own room can be pretty darned comfortable.

For those out there who saw this headline and thought their dreams had finally come true, get ready for a major disappointment. MTV Movie News spoke with director Kevin Smith about his two new films, Red State -- a horror film that revolves around a fanatical religious leader, and the comedy Zack and Miri Make a Porno. First up is Zack and Miri, and that's where Dawson comes in. Smith told MTV, "I wrote [the role of Miri ] for Rosario Dawson, I'd be kind of flabbergasted if she didn't do it". Unfortunately, when MTV contacted Dawson's reps they said that, "no deal is in place at the moment" -- with the emphasis on "the moment", I would expect. The comedy centers on two old high school friends who meet up at their reunion and decide to go into the amateur porn business, and the film marks the first time Smith has written a female lead.

Last month, Erik had news of a script excerpt released to Entertainment Weekly, but at the time no casting had been finalized. Now, Smith has confirmed that long-time co-star Jason Mewes, and Clerks alum Jeff Anderson are both signed on to appear. Smith had worked with Dawson on Clerks II and the two seemed to hit it off. Considering Dawson seems to be a bit of a comic book nerd herself, I am sure they have plenty to talk about. Smith is planning on having Porno done by Christmas, and then he's off to start shooting Red State in February or March of next year. Since Dawson's other commitment, Poor Things, might have hit a snag, she could have some free time coming up in her schedule.