Kevin Smith: RED STATE Will Be A Straight-Up Horror Film
Director Kevin Smith has confirmed that his now-filming 'Red State' will not be a provocative and offensive look at evangelical Christianity in America, despite concerns that the story - based in part on the real-life tale of crazed, sham preacher Fred Phelps - would provide the often outrageous film-maker with the perfect ammunition.
Smith confirmed in twitversation or convertwition, or whatever the kids are calling it these days with his followers - in response to someone asking if the film was going to be offensive - that 'Red State' would be far more invested in good old fashioned chills:
"Christ, no - s'just a horror flick. I swear..."
He had tempted his followers to ask some questions thanks to this intriguing tweet:
In the 70's, they made exploitation flicks about devil worship. We flip it on Red State - so it's an exploitation flick about angel worship.
Smith has so far offered a lot more than the official log-line for the film which goes something like this: Kyle Gallner, Melissa Leo, Dermot Mulroney, Michael Angarano, Steven Root, Michael Parks, and John Goodman all star in the film that follows a group of kids who encounter a crazed preacher (based on Phelps, founder of the Westboro Baptist Church), who gives a whole new meaning to the term "extreme fundamentalism.
I love the idea of John Goodman in a horror flick - especially if he's going to be given a character with a bit of venom, as the man has a fearsome screen presence at the best of times: so much so that I suggested him in terms of a superhero villain in the various discussions I had around my Superman villains article.
He ain't playing the Phelps-like character for Smith (that'll be Michael Parks), but that's a missed trick right there, since given the right material, Goodman could be an incredibly alluring evil character. Not much else is yet known of 'Red State', as the film-making team seem to have gone out of their way to make it all over-secretive, but the last Smith tweet I'll include here definitely dialls into everything I want to know about a horror when it's being made: You won't forget our first kill. Guar-an-teed...