JestersTear

So, Jersey Girl is in the can already, distribution deal in place...

The only problem is that not only does it signify a change of direction for Kevin Smith, but it also stars the box-office poison duo of Affleck and Lopez.

So what do you think will happen? Personally, I think that even if Smith turned in the best script he's ever done, the movie is doomed to fail, and fail badly.

1. Lopez and Affleck. No on screen chemistry. They can't act worth a damn. After Gigli, they're C-list stars if they're lucky.

2. No Jay & Silent Bob, which is what keeps Smith's predominately stoner fan club shelling out money to see his flicks.

Opinions?

Michael Corvin

his movies never make money anyway. I don't think the failure of gigli means anything in relation. I think it bombed because of the trailer, it just looks like a stupid, stupid movie. It's not like these two are the box office draw everyone thinks they are. What were J.Lo's last few movies? Maid in Manhattan, Enough, Angel Eyes? All huge box office draws. Affleck's? Daredevil didn't live up, Sum of all fears scaped by, and Changing Lanes did decent b.o., none of which were huge blockbusters. So Gigli is the train wreck of two downhill careers anyway.

Groucho

Of course they do (with the exception of Mallrats). Just because a movie doesn't make $300 bazillion doesn't mean it didn't make money. Smith's movies are low budget and don't have to pull in nearly as much money to see a profit.

PixyJunket

Plus, J.Lo is not in the movie long, and I think they are going to be smart enough NOT to market it as a Bennifer movie.

Tom Campbell

And, believe it or not, not everybody who likes Kevin Smith's films is a stoner and we don't watch his films primarily for Jay and Silent Bob.

Alien Redrum

I agree with both Groucho and pixyboi.

Also, IMO, while Affleck is not the greatest actor, his best performances have always been under the direction of Smith.

I hope it makes enough money to turn a profit. I know I'll be seeing it regardless.

Dr. DVD

This movie will get about the same amount of attention as Smith's other flicks. In other words, not much outside of his regular fanbase.

Josh-da-man

I have a feeling that, despite what Kevin Smith says, we'll be seeing Jay and Silent Bob again. Soon.

TomOpus

I've seen the movie and he'll have a problem with his fanbase. It's very UN-Kevin Smith. Very conventional and pedestrian. Fine for other movies but if you're looking for typical Kevin Smith fare... you're in for a disappointment.

Maybe the Ben/JLo hype will blow over by February. It should be interesting to see screen counts and the ad campaign.

kevin75

while i won't go see it for affleck and lopez, i will probably go and see it, if only to see what KS is doing.

JestersTear

That's why if you're paying attention, you'll note that I said "predominately," and not "all" of his audience.

I'm not a stoner, and I've seen all his films except for Chasing Amy.

I, however, do not have any intention of seeing Jersey Girl. Not just because it features Affleck and Lopez (neither of whom are capable of carrying a movie on their own), and not just because Jay & Silent Bob are not in it, but also because I feel that Smith has grown very egotistical, and he seems to believe now that anything he puts out will at least turn a profit solely because his name is on it.

JestersTear

Alien Redrum: You're very correct in saying that Affleck's best performances have come from movies that Smith has directed, but he's never been required to be the leading man in the ones I've seen (haven't seen Chasing Amy yet). I just don't think that he can carry a film.

TomOpus: I can't guarantee that this is 100% accurate, but one of the cable news stations that was discussing Gigli had a film critic guest claiming that Jersey Girl has been pushed back to later in the year, in order to try to distance itself from Gigli's savaging at the box office.

fumanstan

Maid in Manhattan made 90 million dollars. Depending on who you ask, Daredevil was a modest hit as well. I dunno, both of them were coming off successful movies.

clemente

Isn't this a Miramax film....I wouldn't count on them doing the smart thing.

Robert

So, is it safe to say that Ben Affleck and J-Lo are the Adolf Hitler and Eva Braun of the new century?

calhoun07

Maybe Kevin Smith should digitally remove J Lo and replace her with Jar Jar Binks, then we would have box office gold.

wordtoyamotha

On a side note, I'm really interested to see how they'll market this movie. Any ideas?

Sessa17

I've seen the movie everyone. And for all you guys worried about the JLo Ben thing . . . MAJOR SPOILER . . . .

And while I did not like the movie Affleck is very good in it & he WILL get critical praise for this movie. Mark my words. There are some very heavy touchy moments in this movie. And for the guy who said it's not a Kevin Smith type movie I couldn't disagree more. It's not a "JAy & Silent Bob" type movie. It is ABSOLUTELY a SMITH movie. IT has his token dialogue, his token Smith characters, CArlin & Biggs are classic Smith characters in the movie, & it has the potty humor. My biggest problem with the movies is that it's not different enough for Kevin Smith.

NCMojo

I really do not see this. Everything I have seen from Kevin Smith seems pretty regular-guy and relatively modest. He attributes his profitability to keeping his costs down, and he gives back to the fandom community.

I think he is just trying to grow as a director -- moving beyond what we would typically define as a "Kevin Smith" feature.

harosa

You are dreaming if you think a point is not going to be made of the fact that Affleck and Lopez are in the movie together, regardless of the fact that it didnt work in marketing Gigli, im sure they'll wager it'll work a second time around. A perfect example of studio marketing is the new Woody Allen movie he's starring in but the trailer sells it soley as a Jason Biggs/Cristina Ricci film. The studios will sell what theylll think will make them money, a teen movie for Allen and a Lopez/Affleck movie for Smith.

Jericho

I don't know if it really matters. I believe Gigli failed because most people though it looked very bad and the reviews were horrendous.

Now Kevin Smith movies have rarely made much money anyways (and I'm talking gross, not net), so that hurts and potential box office "gold". It is also a departure from his prvious films, so he risks alienating his "hardcore" fans. In the end though, Jersey Girl doesn't seem like a movie that would make a lot of money anyways, and I doubt Gigli has much of an effect on what it will earn.

MrN

Except Lopez does have a limited role in 'Jersey Girl', so for them to market it as a 'Jen & Ben' movie would probably be misleading. I also heard that Allen does have a limited role in 'Anything Else' which I think is a good move - he's a better director than a leading man.

Sessa17

A point will be made by idiot critics & message board posters. I am telling you, I have seen this movie & the marketing will play down Lopez being in the movie. In fact, it would not surprise me at all if she is not even in the trailer. Movie studios are dumb as dirt when it comes to what movies to make, but they are extremely smart at marketing. After Gigly bombing & even worse than bombing, becoming the most hated movie of the year. No movie studio is going to play up the fact that the 2 are also in this movie. Like I said, look at this thread after the fact, I DOUBT she will even be in the trailer. Especially considering the fact that she is barely in the movie.

The Antipodean

Sheesh, from the venom being spewed on the Internet about these two, you'd think the U.S. Army should've killed Ben and J.Lo instead of Saddam's kids.

wordtoyamotha

Hmmmm....interesting point. I think I agree