Kevin Smith's unrealized projects

During his long career, American film director Kevin Smith mostly has worked on projects which never progressed beyond the pre-production stage under his direction. Some of these projects are officially cancelled and scrapped or fell into development hell.

1990s

''4:30''

Long before ''Clerks,'' Smith worked on an anthology movie consisting of four thirty-minute shorts.

''The Six Million Dollar Man''

Universal Pictures developed a screenplay in 1995 with Smith based on the 1970s television series of the same name. But, by 1998 the outing never materialized and has been passed on to other studios. His script was reinverted into a limited comic book series titled '' The Bionic Man.''

''Busing''

Following ''Clerks,'' Smith wrote a film called ''Busing'' (has also appeared as ''"Bussing"'') for Hollywood Pictures, a now-defunct Disney studio. It was described as "''Clerks'' in a restaurant." The film was announced around 1994 and was intended to be part of the View Askewniverse. The film was not made, but a poster for it parodying the ''Clerks'' poster appeared at the end of ''Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back'', and on Millenium Faulken's bedroom wall in ''Jay and Silent Bob Reboot''.

''Clerks: The TV Show''

''The Architects of Fear''

In 1996, Smith was offered three films to potentially rewrite for Warner Bros.; one of them was a film adaptation of ''The Outer Limits'' episode, "The Architects of Fear".

''Scooby-Doo''

Smith was interested in working on the 2002 ''Scooby-Doo'' remake. He was offered a position by Turner Pictures to write a script in 1996 but Smith would only accept if his producer Scott Mosier agreed to write with him.

''Superman Lives''

After Smith was hired to write a new ''Superman'' film, he suggested Tim Burton to direct. Burton signed on with a pay-or-play contract of $5 million and Warner Bros. set a theatrical release date for the summer of 1998, the 60th anniversary of the character's debut in ''Action Comics''. Nicolas Cage was signed on to play Superman, with a $20 million pay-or-play contract, believing he could "reconceive the character". Producer Jon Peters felt Cage could "convince audiences he upermancame from outer space." Burton explained Cage's casting would be "the first time you would believe that nobody could recognize Clark Kent as Superman, he agecould physically change his persona." Kevin Spacey was approached for the role of Lex Luthor, while Christopher Walken was Burton's choice for Brainiac,Tim Burton, Jon Schnepp, Lorenzo di Bonaventura, '' The Death of "Superman Lives": What Happened?'', 2015 a role also considered for Jim Carrey and Gary Oldman. Sandra Bullock, Courteney Cox and Julianne Moore had been approached for Lois Lane, while Chris Rock was cast as Jimmy Olsen. Michael Keaton confirmed his involvement, but when asked if he would be reprising his role as Batman from Burton's ''Batman'' films, he would only reply, "Not exactly."

Filming was originally set to begin in early 1998. Burton hired Wesley Strick to rewrite Smith's script and the film entered pre-production in June 1997. Smith was disappointed, stating, "The studio was happy with what I was doing. Then Tim Burton got involved, and when he signed his pay-or-play deal, he turned around and said he wanted to do his version of Superman. So who is Warner Bros. going back to? The guy who made ''Clerks'', or the guy who made them half a billion dollars on'' Batman''?" When Strick read Smith's script, he was annoyed with the fact that "Superman was accompanied/shadowed by someone/something called the Eradicator." He also felt that "Brainiac's evil plot of launching a disk in space to block out the sun and make Superman powerless was reminiscent of an episode of ''The Simpsons'', with Mr. Burns doing the Brainiac role." However, after reading ''The Death and Return of Superman'', Strick was able to understand some of the elements of Smith's script.

''Green Lantern''

In 1997, Smith was given the opportunity to write a Green Lantern film as he was finishing up the script for ''Superman Lives.'' But he declined the offer as he felt there would be more talented people who can work on it. Following his decline, it would not be for another 14 years until a ''Green Lantern'' film would be released and would eventually become a critical and box-office disaster.

''Hiatus''

Smith revealed at Wondercon in 2010 about a lost porn-centered television series that eventually became his 2008 film, '' Zack & Miri Make a Porno.'' The series would have starred Jason Lee, and was about a man returning home after being away in California and has Lee leading a double life as a porn star. When Smith pitched the series to TV networks in 1997, they all rejected the idea believing that the kind of material handed to them can never happen on television.

''Name''

A follow-up to ''Chasing Amy,'' Smith wrote a new film set in his View Askewniverse starring the trio from ''Chasing,'' but it was not a sequel. Smith said "it was kind of porn-bent." Both Ben Affleck and Joey Lauren Adams were interested in doing the film, but it fell through. In January 2018, Smith discussed possibly developing the film in some form with students of the Ringling College of Art and Design.

2000s

Unmade ''Clerks: The Animated Series'' episodes

''Clerks: Sell Out''

For several years following the cancellation of '' Clerks: The Animated Series'', Smith announced plans to make an animated film. He revealed in a commentary on Episode 6 that it would go theatrical (with the hopes to win an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature), but later made plans to go direct-to-video. The basic plot involved Dante and Randal making a movie about their lives at the Quick Stop, a reference to the production of the original film. In an interview, Smith expanded on the delays surrounding the film. He stated that when Harvey and Bob Weinstein left Miramax, owned at the time by The Walt Disney Company, the split was not completely amicable. The rights to the ''Clerks'' television series were still owned by Disney, who as a result were reluctant to work with The Weinstein Company, throwing the future of ''Clerks: Sell Out'' into question. At the 2007 Cornell Q&A, Smith said due to the Miramax/Weinstein argument "you will see a Jay and Silent Bob cartoon before ''Clerks: Sell Out''."

Despite the fact that ''Sell Out'' might not get made, Smith's new script for ''Clerks III'' followed the original plot from the animated film.

''Fletch Won''

Untitled

Prince documentary

''Dogma II''

In late November 2005, Smith responded to talk of a possible sequel to ''Dogma'' on the ViewAskew.com message boards:

Over a decade later, there has apparently been no further discussion. But in October 2017, Smith revealed that he no longer desired to make any new religious films.

Near the same time as the cancellation, just weeks before the Weinstein scandal broke to the public, Harvey Weinstein pitched to Smith about doing a sequel. Not much came from this pitch, but it was just a mere idea for Weinstein. According to Smith in an interview with ''Business Insider'', he recalls:

Smith speculated that he only got the call because, "It was him looking to see who was a friend still because his life was about to shift completely."

''Scary Movie 3''

Smith was assigned to write the 2003 movie, '' Scary Movie 3.'' His script was eventually not used.

''Ghost of Girlfriends Past''

Smith was attached at one point to direct ''Ghosts of Girlfriends Past'' for Disney, under their Touchstone Pictures banner. He said that it never went through due to his attempt to get ''Fletch Won'' made. He recalls on a Twitter rant in 2012:

''Ghosts of Girlfriends Past'' was eventually released in 2009 under the Warner Bros./New Line Cinema banner to negative reviews, but was a modest box-office hit.

''The Green Hornet''

In February 2004, Miramax Films president Harvey Weinstein announced that Smith was to write and direct a ''Green Hornet'' film, based on their previous four-film collaborations. "I dig the fact that he kicked off a run of billionaire playboys who decided to put on a mask and fight crime and that he was Batman before there was a Batman," Smith said.

I always said I'd never do a superhero film, based on my limited experience writing on ''Superman Lives'' and having to answer to the studio, Jon Peters, the comics company and eventually a director. Then there's a fandom that gets up in arms if you even try to stray from their character. Here, there is simplicity in the character and the situation.. (Requires subscription.)

Jon Gordon and Hannah Minghella were now on as producers, with Harold Berkowitz and George Trendle, son of the character's co-creator, as executive producers. Smith approached Jake Gyllenhaal for the lead role in March 2004. In mid-November of that year, he said he had written about 100 pages, and estimated another 100 to come. In February 2006, Smith's official website noted, "Kevin officially no longer has anything to do with the ''Fletch Won'' or ''Green Hornet'' projects." Smith went on to write the Dynamite Entertainment comic book ''Green Hornet'', which has run 11 issues as of late 2010.

''Degrassi: The Next Generation'' film adaptation

Smith, a longtime fan of the ''Degrassi'' teen drama franchise, was assigned to direct a feature film adaptation of the franchise's fourth iteration, '' Degrassi: The Next Generation'' in 2005. Smith had wanted to direct an episode of the television series, but was unable to due to Canadian content laws, which prohibited him from directing episodes, but allowed him to direct films. By September that year, the film was already at the script stage and awaiting a green light from Paramount Pictures. Smith told ''Playback'' that he had considered getting Ben Affleck to cameo in the movie, but decided against it. The project did not go forward for an unspecified reason.

In 2022, Smith revealed to ''Screen Rant'' that the movie would have heavily centered on Jimmy Brooks, a character played by Aubrey Graham who was paralyzed in a school shooting, "getting up and walking". Smith claims that they incorporated elements from the script into a future episode of the television series.

''Heroes: Origins''

''Ranger Danger and the Danger Rangers''

Smith was working on a science fiction film since 2008 titled ''Ranger Danger and the Danger Rangers,'' or simply ''Ranger Danger.'' According to Smith, he said it is, "My stab at a comic-book/ sci-fi movie. It's in the vein of ''Flash Gordon'', something I've noodled with a couple of years. Now I feel we are mature enough filmmakers to tackle it." The appearance of Ranger Danger first appeared in ''Clerks II'' on a t-shirt that Randal was wearing. The movie was intended to be his 10th film (following after ''Zack and Miri Make a Porno'' and '' Red State''). In 2012, when it was announced that ''Hit Somebody'' would be Smith's final film as a director, Smith was asked if he was no longer interested in making ''Ranger Danger.'' He said,

As of 2017, no new updates have been announced for ''Ranger Danger''. Although the ''Ranger Danger'' project is left in development hell, the character made an appearance in ''Jay and Silent Bob Reboot''. This version is described as "a gritty, rebooted version of a childhood superhero fave."

2010s

''Hit Somebody''

Smith planned to direct a hockey comedy-drama based on the song '' Hit Somebody (The Hockey Song)'' by Warren Zevon. The song, which is about a hockey player famous for fighting in the rink, was co-written by author Mitch Albom, who worked with Smith on the project. Smith announced at the 2011 Sundance premiere of ''Red State'' that ''Hit Somebody'' would be the last movie he ever directs, and that he would continue to tell stories in other media.Stewart, Sara (March 3, 2011)
"Kevin can wait"
''The New York Post''. In August 2011 ''Hit Somebody'' was announced as a two-part film titled ''Hit Somebody: Home'' and ''Hit Somebody: Away'' with part one being rated PG-13 and part 2 being rated R, but later decided to make it one movie again. In December 2012 Smith announced that, due to difficulties finding funding, ''Hit Somebody'' would now be a six-part miniseries on an as-yet unknown network. Smith announced in March 2015 that ''Hit Somebody'' would film in September 2015 until Christmas 2015, but this did not happen. As of June 2018, Smith read the scripts for the first and second episode on ''SModcast'' and has said that one studio wants to make something with it; while Jeremy Simser, a storyboard artist on ''Game of Thrones'' and ''Supergirl'', is developing the other script into a graphic novel.

''Helena Handbag: The Movie''

In 2013, Smith announced a new film of his in development. Based on a ''SModcast'' episode called "''The (C)Rapture''", the film was about "mankind teaming up with Hell to save existence from extinction at the hands of a Rapturing giant Jesus" Originally titled ''Christzilla'' by long-time collaborator/''SModcast'' producer Scott Mosier, Smith allowed fans to name the film, ending up with the title being ''Helena Handbag''. On New Years Day 2014, Smith took to Facebook that instead of making it as a movie, it will be a stage musical called ''Helena Handbag: The SMusical.'' He says that the movie won't be film is because of budgeting concerns. He said,

''New Jaws Film''

In 2014, Smith revealed to The Wall Street Journal that he was interested in pitching a new sequel to Jaws. Expressing interest in having Steven Spielberg return to the franchise to direct it. The film would have focused on a hurricane flooding the town of Amity, resulting in yet another great white shark terrorizing the town. It is unknown if Smith ever pitched the film.

''Anti-Claus''

In April 2014, Smith announced the Christmas-themed horror movie ''Anti-Claus'', with a script based on the episode "''The Christmas Special''" of his ''Edumacation'' podcast. The script was co-written by his ''Edumacation'' co-host Andrew McElfresh, marking it the first script Smith collaborated on with another writer. Filming was initially scheduled for September 2014, with ''Tusk'' actors Justin Long, Michael Parks and Haley Joel Osment returning as cast. The movie centered around the European folklore figure Krampus, a devil-esque creature who punishes naughty children.

The film was cancelled due to the release of the 2015 film ''Krampus'', which centered around the same topic. In June 2017, Smith announced that the script was retooled to '' KillRoy Was Here'', with Krampus being replaced by a monster based on the graffiti phenomenon. The film started shooting that same month, with the crew consisting of students of the Ringling College of Art and Design.

''Moose Jaws''

Moose Jaws was inspired by '' Jaws''. In June 2015, Harley Morenstein of ''Epic Meal Time'' confirmed he will be the lead in the film, following an appearance in the other two offerings. Also in June, Smith revealed that Harley Quinn Smith and Lily-Rose Depp will reprise their roles from ''Yoga Hosers''. In September 2015, Kevin Smith mentioned that his character Silent Bob will be eaten by the killer moose. In 2017, Smith revealed that Johnny Depp would reprise his role as Guy LaPointe, and that the actor suggested that his character be eaten by a moose.

In January 2016, Smith confirmed that Jay and Silent Bob will appear in ''Moose Jaws'', setting the ''True North'' trilogy within the View Askewniverse. In February 2016, Smith stated filming on ''Moose Jaws'' would start in July 2016 in Saskatchewan, Canada. Smith later said filming was slated to begin in May 2016. In June 2018 during a live recording of Smith's podcast '' Fatman on Batman'', he said that he had secured funding for ''Moose Jaws''. In April 2020, while on Instagram talking about his finished first draft of ''Twilight of the Mallrats'', Smith stated he is working on a new draft of ''Moose Jaws.'' In June 2020, Smith revealed he removed Jay and Silent Bob from the latest draft of ''Moose Jaws''.

''Twilight of the Mallrats''

From April 2015 to July 2016, Smith made a series of announcements regarding the proposed sequel to ''Mallrats'', some regarding casting and some announcing delays in production. During this time, the planned film became a planned 10-episode television miniseries.

In February 2017, Smith announced that pitches to six different networks resulted in no one willing to produce the TV series, but expressed his hope that interest in the series would spike after the release of the film ''Jay and Silent Bob Reboot''.

In January 2020, Smith announced that development on a ''Mallrats'' sequel film had started up again, under a new title, ''Twilight of the Mallrats''. On April 24, Smith stated that he had completed the first draft of the script and that the original cast would return. On May 12, 2020, Smith revealed that Aparna Brielle, who played Jihad in ''Jay and Silent Bob Reboot'', had been set to lead the film as Banner, the daughter of Brodie, and that Doherty would return to reprise her role of Rene Mosier.

Doherty died on July 13, 2024. A few months later, however, Smith suggested that the sequel could still be made, reframed as a tribute to Doherty, with her friend Sarah Michelle Gellar—who had auditioned for a role in the original ''Mallrats''—"stepingin for" her. In an Instagram comment, Gellar expressed support for the idea.

''Buckaroo Banzai'' TV series

Smith was, for a short period of time, involved in a television adaptation of '' Buckaroo Banzai'' that would have been produced by Amazon Studios and MGM.
Smith stepped down from the project in November 2016 due to MGM filing a lawsuit against the original creators; although he is willing to return if the studio wants him back.

''Sam and Twitch'' TV series

In a February 2017 exclusive interview with ''Deadline'', the head of BBC America revealed that Smith was attached to write, direct, and executive produce a ''Sam and Twitch'' police procedural for BBC America. Similar to the comic book, each episode of the series was planned to follow a closed-ended procedural format, with certain character-serialized aspects to the storytelling. As of 2017, no new updates have been announced for ''Sam and Twitch''.

''Plastic Man'' animated film

Smith mentioned at the Calgary Comic and Entertainment Expo that he met with DC Entertainment head Geoff Johns and pitched an animated film based on the DC Comics character Plastic Man. Although a script has been written, but not much info has been given as of April 2017.

''Hollyweed''

In 2018, Smith dropped the pilot ''Hollyweed'' for streaming service Rivit TV, a crowdfunding focused streamer where viewers can fund a show. Described as “''Clerks'' in a weed dispensary”, the pilot starred Smith, Donnell Rawlings, Adam Brody, Jason Mewes, Frankie Shaw, and Ralph Garman. The pilot was shot in the summer of 2017. The plan was to raise $5 million for a six-episode first season. After a 45 day campaign, the plan was not met; but due to the positive response, Rivit TV and other partners would instead fund three episodes instead of the planned six. As of 2021, Rivit TV is working under the name DevoTV, the show was not picked up, and the pilot is still available to watch under third-party YouTube channels.

''Howard the Duck'' TV series

In February 2019, it was announced that Smith was attached to write and executive produce, alongside ''Aqua Teen Hunger Force'' creator Dave Willis, an animated TV series based on the Marvel Comics character Howard the Duck for Hulu. The series was announced alongside other Marvel Comics characters that were getting the Hulu treatment, MODOK, Hit-Monkey, Tigra, and Dazzler, and would have crossover together in an animated special dubbed ''The Offenders.'' However, on January 24, 2020, it was announced that the show, alongside ''Tigra & Dazzler'', was cancelled, making ''The Offenders'' special unlikely; meanwhile, ''MODOK'' and ''Hit-Monkey'' continued as planned.

''The Kingdom Keepers'' Disney+ series

Smith revealed on '' Fatman Beyond'' that he was brought in by Disney to help develop a potential television series, based on the '' Kingdom Keepers'' book series, for Disney+. He added that it would have utilized the same technology used for ''The Mandalorian'' to create virtual backgrounds. He later confirmed that it was cancelled because it would have used too many IPs.

2020s

''Tusk$''

In 2022, Smith mentioned an idea for a sequel to ''Tusk'', where somehow Wallace would turn himself back into a human and become the new villain. Smith made mention of title being ''Tusk$''. The same year, Long revealed that he had been contacted by Smith about working on a potential sequel.

''Jay and Silent Bob: Store Wars''

Smith revealed in 2023 he was writing a new film featuring Jay and Silent Bob as the lead characters.
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See also

* Kevin Smith filmography

References

External links

*

The Unmade Films of Kevin Smith
by Den of Geeks

{{Kevin Smith

Smith, Kevin
Unrealized