I hope you like hockey and Kevin Smith as much as Kevin Smith does. The two-seat filmmaker announced to NHL.com that he’s working on adapting the Warren Zevon/Mitch Albom song Hit Somebody (hear it above!) into a feature film. The song focuses on a hockey-playing Canadian farm boy who, after being signed to the NHL as a hard-hitting fighter, really just wants to score a goal. Seann William Scott, who just worked with Smith on the thing with the commercials where Tracy Morgan keeps doing movie impressions, has confirmed he’ll be playing that part. Also up for Scott? Stiffler! Yes, the actor who’s been spending his entire career hoping frat boys would stop shouting “Stiffler” at him is in talks with Universal to forever resign himself to the role: “I’ve been talking to them about it and there’s a possibility [of reprising Stiffler in another American Pie ],” he told Coming Soon . “We came up with an awesome idea and I’m kind of at the point where I’m already known as that character forever anyways. As much as I want to do a part like Christoph Waltz in ‘Inglourious Basterds,’ I did ‘American Pie’ three times and then versions of that in ten other movies. If it makes sense and if it makes people laugh then maybe.” So keep that in mind, directors. If you’re casting an Inglourious Basterds Hans Landa-like part, Seann William Scott would totally be up for it. Or, if you’re casting Stiffler, Stiffler would also be game to play Stiffler again. Either way.

I hope you like hockey and Kevin Smith as much as Kevin Smith does. The two-seat filmmaker announced to NHL.com that he’s working on adapting the Warren Zevon/Mitch Albom song Hit Somebody (hear it above!) into a feature film. The song focuses on a hockey-playing Canadian farm boy who, after being signed to the NHL as a hard-hitting fighter, really just wants to score a goal. Seann William Scott, who just worked with Smith on the thing with the commercials where Tracy Morgan keeps doing movie impressions, has confirmed he’ll be playing that part. Also up for Scott? Stiffler! Yes, the actor who’s been spending his entire career hoping frat boys would stop shouting “Stiffler” at him is in talks with Universal to forever resign himself to the role: “I’ve been talking to them about it and there’s a possibility [of reprising Stiffler in another American Pie ],” he told Coming Soon . “We came up with an awesome idea and I’m kind of at the point where I’m already known as that character forever anyways. As much as I want to do a part like Christoph Waltz in ‘Inglourious Basterds,’ I did ‘American Pie’ three times and then versions of that in ten other movies. If it makes sense and if it makes people laugh then maybe.” So keep that in mind, directors. If you’re casting an Inglourious Basterds Hans Landa-like part, Seann William Scott would totally be up for it. Or, if you’re casting Stiffler, Stiffler would also be game to play Stiffler again. Either way.

No matter what you thought of the first trailer for Kevin Smith’s directing-but-not-writing film debut, Cop Out , you have to admit this new red-band trailer adds a certain… je ne sais quoi . Oh, wait, I just figured out what it is. Constant references to oral sex:

100% Tracy Morgany, obviously. Tracy Morgan never (can’t?) turns off the Tracy Morgan. That’s why he’s Tracy Morgan. Here’s the trailer for Kevin Smith’s first shot at not writing (only being a barely-adequate director this time), Cop Out (formerly titled A Couple of Dicks until it was deemed that implying two penises was too hilarious of a pun). It’s the Lethal Weapon for a new generation that only knows that Lethal Weapon involved something with a black cop and a white cop doing things.

It sounded promising when Jason Lee was set to get Thicker back in 2008 . Perhaps we’d finally get another taste at the old Lee, the one that made every Kevin Smith movie he graced all the tastier, especially when he’d rant away with all of his comedic snarkiness. He may have left that film, but Lee found an even better project to fill his now Earl-free days. Variety reports that he, along with Michelle Trachtenberg , have signed on for roles in A Couple of Dicks — Kevin Smith’s first project not written by his own pen . The film, which stars Bruce Willis and Tracy Morgan, focuses on two cops who search for a stolen baseball card, rescue a sexy Mexican woman, and face gangsters. With the buddy cop roles long-filled, Lee won’t have much face time, but hopefully it will be quality face time. While Trachtenberg plays Willis’ daughter, Lee will play her stepfather. At least it’s something. Not a lot, but a hell of a lot more interesting that the family fare that Lee keeps doing. That being said, and even loving Willis’ classic cop ways, I wish Lee was taking the role. Wouldn’t he make an excellent gruff detective? (If he can’t be the new Fletch, he could at least get a blockbuster buddy cop film! Willis and Morgan are already a far cry from the originally cast Robin Williams and James Gandolfini.) But maybe better fare is on the horizon. What sort of starring role would you like to see Jason Lee take on? Filed under: Comedy , Casting Permalink | Email this | Comments

In the grand tradition of Tracy Morgan doing crazy things on camera, yesterday the comedian was spotted riding a tricycle while dressed as a mobile phone as a pitbull violently pursued. According to Coming Soon , this was not standard, unfounded Tracy Morgan craziness but a scene from A Couple of Dicks , Kevin Smith’s upcoming buddy comedy that also stars Bruce Willis as the 30 Rock star’s partner. If it turns out the case the two are trying to crack is “what crazy thing Tracy Morgan will do at the film’s climax,” I apologize profusely for the spoiler.

Move over Ben Lyons, there’s a new critic in town. During MTV’s 457-part interview with Kevin Smith , they somehow found their way to Twilight . Smith admitted to watching the film with his wife and daughter, and, though it wasn’t his cup of tea, could see why so many young girls love it dearly (cue Robert Pattinson). He then called up his daughter, who proceeded to dole out her personal review of Twilight — which goes something like … “(giggles) I don’t know (giggles) I just liked it.” Then, when Pattinson’s name comes up, she smiles and blushes, while Smith questions whether or not she’s really his daughter. It’s all sorta cute and playful, and they all have great attitudes about it (I have a daughter arriving in under a month, so I can’t really talk) — but it did make me wonder which of Smith’s films his daughter will like the best once she’s old enough to watch them. This is the first video I’ve ever seen of his daughter, and if she’s a mega-huge Twilight fan, then maybe she’ll fancy Chasing Amy or Dogma the most. I don’t know; you tell me — watch the video below. Movie Trailers - Movies Blog Filed under: Fandom , Trailers and Clips Permalink | Email this | Comments

A hockey movie from Kevin Smith seems like the most natural thing in the world — so natural, in fact, that this news seems like a nonevent. What is surprising is the source material and writing partner Smith is employing, as he’s teaming up with Mitch Albom to film an adaptation of Warren Zevon’s song Hit Somebody . If you’re a hockey fan, you know the bittersweet song about a Canadian farmboy who desperately wants to play hockey, but is good for nothing but fighting. I’ve embedded it below so you can check it out and follow along with Smith’s ideas. The film will be set in the 1970s in the final days of old-time hockey, the World Hockey Association, and blood-splattered ice. “The song’s been one of my favorites since I heard it and I’ve always seen this whole movie behind,” Smith told MTV News . I got in touch with Mitch because Warren Zevon has passed on and we started talking about it and he was into it and into what I was kind of pitching.” While the story will have some comedy, Smith is styling it to be one of his most serious films yet. “I never once thought about winning awards or anything, but that movie I think can do it. If I play my cards right and we get the right people in it, it could be an award-type movie.” He’s aiming to start filming in 2010 or 2011, naming it as the “the one I really want to do in a big, bad way.” Perhaps this film is that “something else” he was hinting at . I think Smith could really get under the skin of a broken down hockey player, and if there’s one person who can rescue the sport from being condemned to Slapshot remakes, it would be him. Filed under: Comedy , Drama , Independent , Music & Musicals , Sports , Scripts , DIY/Filmmaking , Newsstand Permalink | Email this | Comments

See, this is why I’ll always dig Kevin Smith — he just says it, whatever it is. He’ll admit his failures, he’ll open up about his relationships with studios, he’ll remain real honest about his movies — it’s almost like you’re good pal hit it big in Hollywood and, from time to time, relays some pretty hysterical stories about what it’s like on the inside. Smith will be the first to admit the unsuccessful Zack and Miri Make a Porno left him a bit sour, frustrated and beaten up. And who can blame him — you work your ass off on a movie, stick one of the most popular comedic actors in lead role and barely pony up a respectable box office take. Good news, though, is that Smith still has some fight left in him. In a new interview with Vulture , he says he wants his new film, A Couple of Dicks (which he didn’t write, but will direct) to be “the next TNT classic.” He adds, “… the whole movie is like cops who are practically married but not actually, and, I mean, that’s right up my alley. It’s like Dante and Randall [from Clerks ] as cops. That’s why I was attracted to it in the first place. We all feel like we’re trying to make a TNT classic - that movie that will just air ad nauseam forever once it hits TNT. I want it to be Road House . [My movies] all get cut to sh*t. I could never watch them [on TV]. Jersey Girl is the only one that doesn’t get hit hard, but that one’s tough to watch for a number of reasons. Television version or not.” Filed under: Comedy , Fandom , Newsstand Continue reading Kevin Smith Wants ‘Dicks’ To Be The Next ‘Road House’ Permalink | Email this | Comments

I just came across the new poster for Whatever Works on IMP Awards (check it by clicking the image below), and beyond the too-perfect Larry David pose, I’m struck by the utter lack of Woody Allen on the thing. Beyond the billing block and maybe an especially sharp sense of font, how would anyone know that this was the latest film from the guy who made Annie Hall and Manhattan ? It was the same thing with Vicky Cristina Barcelona , and I’m wondering if potentially interested people would find themselves turned off upon finding out just whose movie they’ve been lured into. It’s the same sense of un-branding (non-branding? anti-branding?) that kept most passersby from realizing that Zack and Miri Make a Porno was a Kevin Smith joint, and really, if you’re already past that title, is his presence in the trailers and posters going to keep you away? If anything, might the name recognition lure a couple of more people to either film (not that Larry David fans probably aren’t already fans of Woody Allen, and not that Kevin Smith films probably already know which new movie is his)? Have you ever been sold on a movie until you got a glimpse of the name at the helm? When? Where? Why? Gallery: Whatever Works Filed under: Comedy , Tribeca , Sony Classics , The Weinstein Co. , Movie Marketing Permalink | Email this | Comments