We have heard that Kevin Smith was going to retire from directing movies. But maybe he can still keep his hand in. His latest film, TUSK, taps into his distinctive offbeat humor. Starring Justin Long, who got to spar a bit with Smith in DIE HARD 4.0, this new film allows Smith to try out some new things in the horror genre. It’s all systems go as A24 and Demarest Films have teamed up on distribution of Kevin Smith’s TUSK.
TUSK was inspired by the real-life story of an internet message board user who advertised for a roommate willing to dress as, and act like, a walrus.
“It’s about a guy who turns another guy into a f**king human walrus,” Entertainment Weekly quotes Smith as saying.
TUSK, which stars Justin Long, Michael Parks, Genesis Rodriguez, and Haley Joel Osment, was born out of one of Kevin Smith’s immensely popular SModcasts. Currently in production, the modern-day monster movie was also written by Smith. Sam Englebardt, David Greathouse, and Shannon McIntosh are producing.
Said A24, “We had the privilege of visiting Kevin on the TUSK set and seeing some of his early footage. We can say with certainty that this movie will blow people’s minds. Truly one you’ll have to see to believe.”
“I’m as happy as the day Miramax bought Clerks back in ’94! We’re so lucky A24 fell in love with our walrus picture and jumped in the pool with us. I was a big fan of how they released The Bling Ring and Spring Breakers, so I was praying TUSK would take root there. If anyone knows how to bring this flick to the masses, it’s them!” says Smith.
Demarest’s Sam Englebardt added, “We’re thrilled that A24 has joined us in backing Kevin’s wild, deviant vision. Tusk will be a horror movie for the ages and we couldn’t imagine a better partner in bringing it to the world.
TUSK follows Wallace (Long) a journalist on a mission. He finds the story of a lifetime in Mr. Howe (Parks), a worldwide adventurer with amazing tales and a curious penchant for walruses.
Smith is as busy as ever with his SModcasts and supporting new filmmakers. In 2013, independent distributor Phase 4 and the Kevin Smith Movie Club released THE DIRTIES, a gutsy faux documentary about bullying, by Matthew Johnson.
You can listen to my interview with Matthew Johnson, the co-writer, director, and star of THE DIRTIES right here. It was a pleasure to get to chat with Matthew and I thank him for his generosity.
A24 plans for a wide release of TUSK in the third quarter of 2014.
ABOUT A24
Launched in the summer of 2012, A24 is a New York-based media company focused on the distribution, financing and production and feature films. Recent releases include Sofia Coppola’s highly buzzed about THE BLING RING and James Ponsoldt’s Sundance darling, THE SPECTACULAR NOW. The company previously released Harmony Korine’s incredibly successful SPRING BREAKERS starring Selena Gomez, Vanessa Hudgens, and James Franco. Upcoming titles for 2014 include David Michod’s highly anticipated second feature THE ROVER, Steven Knight’s Tom Hardy starrer LOCKE, Jonathan Glazer’s acclaimed Scarlett Johansson film UNDER THE SKIN and the Jake Gyllenhaal starrer ENEMY.
ABOUT DEMAREST FILMS
Funded with private capital, Demarest produces and finances a wide range of film and television projects. The firm’s broad investment mandate allows it to move quickly and decisively, invest across the debt and equity capital structure, and ultimately help filmmakers secure the largest possible portion of their budgets from one reliable source. Demarest’s founders are themselves seasoned producers and can offer informed and collaborative backing to their artistic partners.
Recent and forthcoming Demarest projects include Anton Corbijn’s adaptation of the John le Carré novel A MOST WANTED MAN, starring Philip Seymour Hoffman, Rachel McAdams, Willem Dafoe, Daniel Brühl, and Robin Wright, set for release in 2014; Max Nichols’s naughty romantic comedy TWO NIGHT STAND, starring Miles Teller, Analeigh Tipton, Jessica Szohr, and Kid Cudi, also debuting in 2014; Mike Flanagan’s psychological thriller SOMNIA, starring Kate Bosworth, Thomas Jane, Annabeth Gish, and Dash Mihok, currently shooting; Victor Levin’s Manhattan romance 5 TO 7, starring Bérénice Marlohe, Anton Yelchin, Olivia Thirlby, Glenn Close, and Frank Langella, currently in postproduction; Robert Rodriguez’s MACHETE KILLS, starring Danny Trejo, Michelle Rodriguez, Sofia Vergara, and Mel Gibson; and Neil Jordan’s vampire thriller BYZANTIUM, starring Saoirse Ronan, Gemma Arterton, Jonny Lee Miller, Sam Riley, and Caleb Landry Jones.
ABOUT SMODCAST PICTURES
SModcast Pictures, a division of SModCo and SModcast.com, has produced Red State and the animated Jay & Silent Bob’s Super Groovy Cartoon Movie, as well as COMIC BOOK MEN for AMC. They’ve also produced a series of podcast comedy specials, including Jay & Silent Bob Go Down Under for Epix.
