Kevin Smith Changes Genres

By Rafe Telsch: 2006-08-07 00:00:00

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While the big news always seems to come from San Diego Comic-Con, one should never underestimate the ability of the Wizard World conventions to draw some big names as well. In this case Kevin Smith spoke at a panel at Wizard World Chicago and delivered some big news, as well as a few other interesting tidbits, courtesy of Comic Book Resources.

The big question for Smith was “what’s next?” This is something everyone’s been waiting for since Clerks II hit theaters. Previously Smith was attached to work on Fletch Won and The Green Hornet, both projects Smith confirmed he is no longer a part of. So what is next for the director? What was established over a game of rock/paper/scissors is that the director will be making a horror/slasher flick. An interesting move for a director who has maintained a safe environment in dramatic comedy until now.

Smith reinforced that he was done in the View Askewniverse, leaving behind the characters of Jay and Silent Bob. When one of the doubting Thomases in the audience voiced a “heard that before” Smith backtracked and said he might return to the characters if he felt he needed to make a film to represent his 40s like Clerks represented his 20s and Clerks II his 30s. Barring that though, he’s done with the characters. I say: we’ll see. I’m excited to hear Smith is moving on to a new genre, but I’m not opposed to him returning to View Askew characters occasionally. They certainly work for him.

Smith announced the reason he withdrew from The Green Hornet was because he knew he didn’t know how to make the movie and he was afraid the result would take away his right to make fun of comic book movies. I respect that he acknowledged he couldn’t figure out how to make the movie, but I hope not doing it because it removes his right to make fun of other people was just a joke. If anything, making a bad movie would add to his ability to make bad movies. After all, who knows bad movies more intimately than those who make them?

Other tidbits included Smith’s opinion on working on the announced Star Wars television series (he said he couldn’t make the episode he’d want to make) and his upcoming “Ebert & Roeper” gig filling in for Ebert.

So Smith heads for blood and gore with his next movie. Considering Smith’s knowledge of films, this could result in a very interesting film, pushing the genre like Kevin Williamson’s Scream flicks did almost a decade ago (and that Smith and his heterosexual life mate Jason Mewes appeared in). Or, it could be Smith just messing around with his fans and movie news websites. We’ll see if we find an official press release on this one in the future.

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