Hey folks, Harry here with Mysterio's run down on the world of Kevin Smith. And the most exciting bit for me is that he's approved to write a series for GREEN ARROW (comics not TV) and I can't wait to see what he does with the character. I'm a 'LONGBOW' fan from way back, and really loved the old drug issues with Ollie and the ol ringwearer. Well... here's Mysterio...
Hey there Harry, Mysterio with a little check-in again. This time I’ve got a little news to get back to you regarding that “so-called” comic book writer / filmmaker, Kevin Smith who thought he could write me off in Daredevil #7. Guess what, Kev? I’m back!
“AS ‘SILENT’ AS HE WANTS TO BE”?
Well, it seems not anymore. I’m beginning to think that the battles he’s waged with bringing his flicks to the screen (both big and small) may have finally took their toll. Or maybe having been domesticated to a point now in his life with wife & child, that he feels like moving forward. Or maybe, just maybe, CLERKS: TAS, was the straw that broke the camel’s back.
I assume if your not familiar with Smith’s on-going plight with Disney to bring the show to ABC, check out past reports in either COAXIAL, or visit NEWSASKEW.com or Smith’s own site, VIEWASKEW.com.
But for those who do know and we’re looking forward to seeing the show premiere any time soon, I’m afraid you’re out of luck. It seems that Smith has lost any hope on the show ever seeing the light of day on ABC. And as far as shopping it to another network, that seems unlikely as well. Word has it though that MIRAMAX may be trying to buy back the show (as they did with “Dogma”), and re-edit the completed 6 shows to theatrical feature length, and releasing it that way.
Smith was unsure of where the show is headed, but remains optimistic that the shows will be seen someday. Its just a question of when and where, with release on VHS & DVD imminent somewhere down the road.
And honestly, for Smith fans that’s a shame, because the show is surprisingly quite good. Even for television. The look and feel of the show had me somewhat skeptical at first, but damn if it doesn’t work with it’s own flair and style. Today, Kevin was kind enough to show the second episode and some clips from future episodes. The second show revolves around clerks, Dante (Brian O’Halloran) & Randal (Jeff Anderson), as they accidentally lock themselves in the Quick Stop freezer, only to rely on Jay and Silent Bob to help them break out. Their time inside waiting is spent reflecting on past flashbacks and situations, while watching customers shoplift throughout the assumed un-attended store. Cameos are a plenty throughout, with jabs taken from the likes of Matt Damon to George Lucas to Steven Spielberg and voice cameos by Gwenyth Paltrow, Judge Reinhold & Charles Barkley. And yes, Star Wars references are still used under Smith’s keen observation of the “holy-trilogy” including recent stabs at “Phantom Menance”.
The shows definitely keeps with the same quick wit and banter as with most of Smith’s flicks. The humor is somewhat very blue at times, and definitely pushes the limits of what can get past the censors. But the censors aren’t the problem. Disney just seems to have lost faith or interest in the project and no longer seem to care to even air it. They’d rather keep showing “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire” every other night I guess. Within a packed room, the crowd was clearly definitely into the show and material.
Kevin noted that he should better know the status of the shows, and their fate within a week or two.
Other notes Smith touched upon… Remember that small blurb for “CLERKS 2: Hardly Clerkin’” at the end of “DOGMA”? We’ll like it or not, forget it, it ain’t happening. “MALLRATS 2”? Same thing. Nada gonna happen. So what will happen? Well it seems that Kev will finally be getting to write a series for “The GREEN ARROW” comic very soon. Approval on his outline has been greenlighted, and is a go ahead. And confirmed news on the other front: Smith HAS indeed begun writing on his next film, which will indeed close out his so-called “Jersey”-flicks. That’s right. No more Jay & Silent Bob. No more Dante & Randal, Loki & Bartleby, Brodie & T.S. or Banky & Holden. This will be it as Kev has stated. But he says, that this last flick will definitely bookend with the latter films, and characters from the past will re-occur back into the askew-universe within this flick. But then, that’s it. Now Kevin WILL still be making films (at least for a short while longer), mostly with his same comic flare, but he wants to use new characters and situations to expand his filmography. He figures that Jay & Silent Bob can only go so far, until they suffer a fate to that of the comic demise of the “Weasel” (Pauly Shore), as he stated.
Askew films on DVD: “CHASING AMY” indefinitely on hold until maybe 2001. “DOGMA” released in movie only format early May, and the super-fat version in October. Kevin has no control of the release of either versions or delays.
Also, if you ever do get the chance to attend a panel that Kevin is speaking on, by all means go. Kevin will talk at great length for hours, and tells some very humorous stories that any fan would relish in. And the guy’s a real quick wit to boot to during Q & A sessions.
Oh, and Kev, if you happen to read this, I’ll just say this one thing to you: “You’ve got mail.”
-Mysterio
