Seth Rogen Set to Make a Porno for Kevin Smith

In any town other than Hollywood, the words "Kevin Smith," "Seth Rogen," and "make a porno" might seem to make for an unusual combination.

Actually, they're unusual in Hollywood, too -- but, as Variety reports, Smith and Rogen are doing just that. Sort of. Rogen has signed on to star with Elizabeth Banks in Smith's upcoming Weinstein Company comedy, Zack and Miri Make a Porno. From the article:

Story revolves around two lifelong platonic friends who are deep in debt and enlist the help of their friends to make a porn pic for some quick cash. But Zack and Miri realize that they may have more feelings for each other than they previously thought.

The production, scheduled to begin filming in Pittsburgh early next year, will reunite Rogen and Banks -- who worked together on The 40-Year-Old Virgin -- and mark the seventh collaboration for Smith and the Weinstein brothers.

Source: www.cinema-pedia.com

Kevin Smith to Shoot Film in Pittsburgh

Kevin Smith, who has written, directed and acted in several films, including the comedies "Clerks" and "Chasing Amy," said he plans to shoot another comedy in Pittsburgh starting in January.

Smith wrote on the blog viewaskew.com that he would film "Zack and Miri Make a Porno" in Pittsburgh, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported Sunday. Smith filmed "Dogma" in the city in 1998.

Smith said that he may announce the film's cast in the next two weeks, and that he expected filming to take about 40 days.

He said he expected the film to be released next fall.

Source: www.cinema-pedia.com

Weinsteins Pass On Kevin Smith Horror Flick

If and when Kevin Smith's much-discussed horror project, Red State, reaches theaters, it will happen without the involvement of The Weinstein Company.

In his most recent MySpace blog update, Smith shared the information that his longtime filmmaking patrons have taken a pass on Red State. The news is tucked in between a whole bunch of road updates from Smith's current book tour, so we've helpfully excerpted the relevant bits below:

When we land in La Guardia, I get phone call from Weinstein Company exec Michael Cole who tells me about a meeting he and Harvey took with our potential Zack's agent. He also drops the bomb, which doesn't really explode so much as lay there, as Scott and I were pretty much expecting it...



Harvey and Bob are passing on "Red State."

It's the first time Harvey and Bob have passed on anything I've wanted to do, but if they were gonna pass on anything, this'd be the one to do it on. The only explanation Michael gives me is "Harvey thought it was more of a Bob flick and then Bob didn't get it. They'd rather just concentrate on 'Zack and Miri' at the moment, which we're all pumped about."

Naturally, this makes me wanna make "Red State" even more than I did just prior to that phone call. I get excited thinking about having to raise financing for our hot potato of a flick. This represents a turning point of sorts for Scott and I, inasmuch as everything (with the exception of "Mallrats") has been made with the Weinsteins. It might be nice to see if we can get something done without them. Whether it'll be nice or not, however, it's what's in the cards, as they don't feel the flick is very commercial. And, in truth, on the surface, it may not be -- unless we get the buzz I think we'll get off the festival circuit. Regardless, it's not something we'll have to think about 'til after we're done with "Zack and Miri Make a Porno."

Given the Weinsteins' long history with Smith, the news is at least mildly surprising -- but given TWC's recent box office difficulties, it stands to reason that they're looking for the most overtly commercial projects they can find.

Source: www.cinema-pedia.com