Jason Lee Joins A Couple of Dicks

Kevin Smith Calls in an Old Friend

By Dustin Rowles | Posted Under Trade News | Comments (27)

We’ve been mostly quiet about Kevin Smith’s latest, A Couple of Dicks, his first major studio film, which stars Bruce Willis and Tracy Morgan, from a script by Mark and Robb Cullen. The truth is, I don’t want to jinx it. I don’t want to oversell it. And I don’t want folks to be tired of it before the movie comes out. It doesn’t hurt, either, that I’m slightly (very slightly) concered about Smith’s ability to direct someone else’s script (oh, fine; I’m fucking terrfied). The strengths in his own films were always the writing and the characters, so I’m not sure what’s left when you take that away.

That said, Smith — who is currently filming the movie, a comedy about two cops whose adventures include locating a stolen baseball card, rescuing a woman, and dealing with gangsters and their laundered money — has been bringing new cast members aboard during production in New York. So far, Adam Brody, Sean William Scott, and Kevin Pollack have joined the film. Michelle Trachtenberg (“Buffy the Vampire Slayer”) has also joined as the daugther of Bruce Willis’ character. And yesterday came word that Jason Lee has joined the cast. It’ll be a small role, but since Kevin Smith basically discovered Lee and made it possible for him to one day make millions in an Alvin and the Chipmunks movie, I suppose Lee owes Smith. And now that “My Name is Earl” has been canned (I was bored with the show, but a finale would’ve been nice, NBC), it’s not like Lee has a lot else to do.

And I think that’s the last we’re going to mention of the movie until we at least see a movie poster. Sometimes, a little goes a long way.

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Comments

I'm with you on the tempering expectations bit, but after Tracy-Morgan-As-A-Cellphone-On-A-Bicycle picture, I'm fucking sold.

Posted by: Marra at June 30, 2009 10:05 AM

I never got around to watching "My Name is Earl." It seemed like an okay show, but... I dunno. How weird is it that there was no finale? Hasn't that become de rigeur these days? Was its cancellation a surprise or something?

Posted by: Landon at June 30, 2009 10:06 AM

Oh my God, you too Marra? Yeah, that pretty much did it for me.

Oh, and can we pretend that Alvin and the Chipmunks never, ever, EVER happened?

Posted by: Jeremy Feist at June 30, 2009 10:15 AM

We can't pretend Alvin and the Chipmonks never happened, because there was some excellent comedy in the form of a fake feud between Patton Oswalt and ~~Tobias Funke~~ ~~David Cross~~ Mrs. Featherbottom. See, there is some good that comes from every tragedy.

Posted by: Marra at June 30, 2009 10:20 AM

Well, it's a good thing you-know-who isn't in this film. We'd never stop hearing about it then.

Posted by: Kolby at June 30, 2009 10:23 AM

Smith can't even direct his own script. What was his last good movie?

Posted by: Dilly at June 30, 2009 10:49 AM

Wow! This is going to be good, with Smith’s directing skills and Morgan’s ability to make everyone laugh I think this is going to be a homerun. Hey, wait a minute, how come you people aren’t talking shit about the fact that Smith is going to have Morgan acting like a goddamn buffoon in his film and it’s ok, but if Tyler Perry tried to pull the same shit you hypocrites would be calling him a hack that likes to stereotype his characters?

Posted by: Greenberg, Troutman & Salinas at June 30, 2009 11:12 AM

His last good movie was his last movie. Zach and Miri.
And Tracy Morgan has made a living off of acting like a buffoon. (And porn-themed video games)

Posted by: Optimus J. Rhyme at June 30, 2009 11:24 AM

Listen I'm talking about the goddamn hypocrisy, Transformer.

Posted by: Greenberg, Troutman & Salinas at June 30, 2009 11:30 AM

Uh, what the fuck are you talking about, Law Firm re-re? What the hell does Tyler Perry have to do with anything?

Posted by: Marra at June 30, 2009 11:34 AM

Because it's Kevin Smith, to whom trolls will forever link and compare to Tyler Perry to rail on Dustin. Though with a new handle, this particular troll seems to maintain his same style.

Posted by: Dewie, Trollem & Howe at June 30, 2009 11:41 AM

Clean out your ears people, I’m talking about the hypocrisy where if one does it it’s ok, but if another does the exact same thing it’s not ok. Kevin Smith is not the problem he’s a symptom of the problem, him and his “Spend the day with me” dvds that he hawks out of the back of his pearl white minivan.

Posted by: Greenberg, Troutman & Salinas at June 30, 2009 11:50 AM

I will forever love Jason Lee. I mean, he made that god-awful abortion Vanilla Sky ever-so-slightly less "made me want to kill myself right there in the theater"ish. Also, he was pretty damn cute in Stealing Harvard, and that stupid romance thing with what's-her-name and what's-her-face.

Actually, come to think of it, I've watched a number of crappy movies just because he was in them. Damn you, Jason Lee! Though he was pretty dreamy in Dogma, too, and that one was good.

Posted by: Anna von Beaverplatz at June 30, 2009 12:15 PM

"I'm a frickin' demon!"

That is all.

Posted by: dammitjanet at June 30, 2009 12:56 PM

my kids love alvin & the chipmunks...

Posted by: Will at June 30, 2009 1:03 PM

Is it too much to ask for spell check here?

concered

daugther

I expect more from Pabija.

Posted by: mswas at June 30, 2009 1:12 PM

He directed the first episode of Reaper, which he didn't write, and it was awesome. The second episode, not directed by him, wasn't nearly as good, so you can see the difference. His comic timing is perfect after years of practice.

Posted by: Lucas at June 30, 2009 1:20 PM

This must be one of those "movies you do cause your friend says you owe him" situations.

Posted by: David McTaintwaffle at June 30, 2009 1:40 PM

Posted by: Greenberg, Troutman & Salinas at June 30, 2009 11:12 AM

Well it is a bit much saying the man is going to be portrayed as a buffoon when all one has is one photo with little to no context. Now if you were complaining about his character on 30 Rock, I could see some merit in that. But then I would say that Morgan is playing a caricature anyway.

My opinion of Tyler Perry is well-documented, and therefore does not bear repeating.

Posted by: Vermillion at June 30, 2009 3:30 PM

Smith is as close to film Godhood as anyone will ever get as far as I'm concerned so, SUCK IT, haters. I don't even need to see it to certify it a as nothing less than, excellent.

Posted by: BarbadoSlim at June 30, 2009 4:30 PM

Smith is a hack, and a very obnoxious hack at that. This fuckin’ guy and his “An evening with Kevin Smith” dvds, trying to squeeze every last cent out of his audience. I’m almost sure you are an owner of one of those dvds Mr. Barbado aren’t you? If this guy had any talent he wouldn’t have to supplement his income by selling dvds.

Posted by: Greenberg, Troutman & Salinas at June 30, 2009 5:21 PM

You can sure as hell bet your mom's sweet ass that I own everything Smith has ever produced.

Proudly.

Posted by: BarbadoSlim at June 30, 2009 5:54 PM

I dunno about Sean William Scott. Something about his face and voice make me twitch. But I like Kevin Pollack. So.....dilemma. Do I hate this instantly or do I look forward to it?

Hmmmm......

Posted by: stardust savant at June 30, 2009 6:52 PM

Add me to the line of Kevin Smith dick suckers. I will gladly spend my hard earned cash on anything he brings out.
His stuff has originality and is much much better than the usual bullshit Hollywood shits out.

Posted by: Seraf at June 30, 2009 8:27 PM

"I dunno about Sean William Scott. Something about his face and voice make me twitch..."

Posted by: stardust savant at June 30, 2009 6:52 PM

Did you see Role Models? He was hilarious, and shared and excellent comic chemistry with Paul Rudd. I think he's one of those people who works well in the right ensemble.

Posted by: Daniel Hall at June 30, 2009 9:25 PM

No, I haven't seen Role Models. Initially, I was afraid I would lose respect for Paul Rudd for being in a movie with Sean William Scott. But since this site gave it a good review I added it to my Netflix queue and am just waiting for it to come up.

Posted by: stardust savant at June 30, 2009 10:32 PM

Kevin Smith isn't out there trying to become a millionaire. He's just making what he wants to make. Why is he selling hilarious dvds to the masses? Because he is well aware that he owes his career to the masses.
Clerks was a indie film that did well at a festival.
Mallrats bombed at the box office, BUT his fans devoured it on dvd. That alone has kept him working. It also finances a lot of his energy.
Did I mention he owns a comic book store in New Jersey? Must be for all the millions! Or it could just be that's what he likes doing.

Keep 'em coming Mr. Smith.

Posted by: grendel at July 1, 2009 1:05 PM

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Kevin Smith Calls in an Old Friend

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