10 Worst Films Adapted From Black List Screenplays

Cop Out marked the first time indie filmmaker Kevin Smith whored himself out to the mainstream, working for the man (i.e. Warner Bros) as a director for hire and working from a script not penned by his own fair hand. Clearly not a formula that works for Smith because, as its title suggests, the movie really was a cop out on his behalf.

Basically an unfunny buddy cop movie, it’s more known for the behind the scenes tension between Smith and star Bruce Willis than being a movie even vaguely worth watching. Smith said of working with Willis that he ‘had no f*cking help from this dude whatsoever’, while rumours abounded that Smith’s on-set pot smoking meant he barely interacted with his actors.

Whatever the cause, Willis is clearly disinterested throughout and Smith’s lazy direction certainly seems it could’ve been dampened by a bit too much wacky baccy.

Looks like scriptwriters Mark and Robb Cullen are going for a second try with their next movie and directorial debut Once Upon a Time in Venice – another action comedy starring Bruce Willis. Luckily for them, Smith isn’t involved so let’s hope it fairs a bit better than Cop Out. For their sake and ours.