Director Kevin Smith makes movies on his terms - Entertainment, Movies - Army Times

Director Kevin Smith makes movies on his terms

TORONTO — Ever since making “Clerks” in 1994, Kevin Smith has been a director who doesn’t shy away from controversy and has won a devoted following because of it.

Next up: “Zack and Miri Make a Porno,” which opens Friday. Smith talked about the film — its title, its premise and its star, Seth Rogen — recently. A nice, approachable guy, he smoked during the interview. No one in Hollywood does that anymore, at least not in front of reporters. Just another example of Smith doing what he wants, doubtless one reason for his success.

Question: The stock question — did you do a lot of research for this movie?

Answer: I have unintentionally, over the course of my life since the age of 12, been researching porn and finally put it to use. I’m a manufacture-for-use kind of guy, and I don’t think you should do anything unless you’re going to put it to use one day.

Q: So now you never have to look at it again.

A: Never. Never again. Never for the purposes of putting it in a movie. Now I just do it out of simple social-science curiosity.

Q: Certainly with available technology, the premise of two friends making a porn movie is plausible.

A: Add to it our (lame) economy right now, and it really feels kind of timely. If I made this movie during a very healthy time economically, I think people would be like, “Why don’t they just go get other jobs?”

Q: You had the idea while making “Clerks.” But the timing does seem right, particularly with the cast.

A: No one else but Rogen could have played Zack. And really, nobody else but (Elizabeth) Banks could play Miri, now that the movie’s done. But going into it, I’d written it specifically with Seth in mind, and 10 years ago there was no Seth Rogen.

There was, I just didn’t know him yet. The world didn’t know him yet. And then I got super (expletive) lucky, because the dude turned into a movie star. Because when I was writing it, I had seen him in “The 40 Year Old Virgin” only. I was like ... “I’m going to give this dude the break of his life.” And then I gave him the script two weeks before “Knocked Up” came out. And I started seeing his face on billboards everywhere, and I was like, “I am very late to this game. And apparently Judd Apatow is much more talented and much more intelligent than I am.” But thankfully Judd broke him, because I got to ride him, and that was fun.

Q: Did the title ever give you pause?

A: It never gave me pause. But we were two weeks in on shooting and (producer) Bob Weinstein called me up and said we should probably change the title. And I said why, and he’s going, “I think it gives too much away. You know going in that they’re going to make a porno.” I said that’s the point, Bob. ... Honestly, it’s a title that pops. People remember that title because it’s kind of ridiculously upfront and not subtle at all. But it’s also very honest, because we absolutely deliver on that title.

Q: You use Katie Morgan and Traci Lords, real porn stars, in the cast.

A: Well, one real porn star (Morgan) and one former. (Lords) is very clear about that. When we went to her, we thought she’d never say yes for that reason because she’s always very clearly kept her past at arms length. But she loved the script, and she was like, “Look, man, it’s been 20 years. Maybe it’s time I start making fun of it.” I was like, yes, please do, and do it here.