FIRST LOOK

First Look: Seth Rogen and Elizabeth Banks in Zack and Miri Make a Porno

by Alex Billington
March 5, 2008
Source: USA Today

Although we all already know how scruffy Seth Rogen looks and how gorgeous Elizabeth Banks is, we still haven't officially seen the two together in a photo from the upcoming Kevin Smith movie Zack and Miri Make a Porno. USA Today has the first look all wrapped up in a very interesting article titled "If the title says 'Porno,' will moviegoers say 'no thanks'?". But as they go on to say, the edgier a comedy is, the better it is (and the better it performs), at least in today's time. With that said, whether you're a Kevin Smith man or not, it's time to jump ahead and take a look at the first new photo from Zack and Miri.

Rogen and Banks star as Zack and Miri (respectively), two "broke friends who embrace their desperation by making their own X-rated tape to pay off their debts. In the process, they uncover romantic feelings for each other." Beyond that, who knows what other shenanigans will take place in Smith's comedy. Also co-starring are (of course) Jason Mewes, Jeff Anderson, Tom Savini, and even Traci Lords.

USA Today does bring up a very interesting point about the title, but Smith himself isn't too worried, saying "we're just hoping that by the time the movie comes out, if the marketing people do their jobs right, it's a word that people will kind of get over."

On the other hand, Jeff Block, an "analyst with movie tracking firm Exhibitor Relations" praises it, saying "It's one of the best titles of the year. It sells the film for exactly what it is." He goes on to explain that Smith has a dependable fan base and that "They'll follow him anywhere. I don't think anything is too risqué for Kevin Smith fans."

Without much to go on besides a simple story explanation and perfect cast, this is already near the top of my list of highly anticipated movies for this year. I'm thinking, like Superbad, it'll hit on all the perfect "sex comedy" notes yet still remain a true Kevin Smith film, and that I truly can't wait for.

"What's weird about it is, it's dirty. But it's so incredibly sweet," Smith says, noting that Porno will be rated R (obviously, there's no actual porn in it). Banks says grown-ups are mature enough for immature jokes. "These kinds of comedies, these sweet and sexy comedies, have all started to push the envelope. This movie takes it even further, that's definitely true. But if you're over 15 years old … you know what sex is, and in comedy you're always trying to find those taboos that you can break for a laugh. Sex in America is a huge one."

But don't be worried, Seth Rogen confirms that they "are going too far..." and that the "first thing people should think is: 'Are they allowed to do that?'" Awesome, I can't wait to see the family besides me run out in horror when they "accidentally" took their kid to see this sweet comedy.

Zack and Miri Make a Porno is both written and directed by Kevin Smith (Clerks, Dogma, Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back). It doesn't have a release date yet, but is expect to be out sometime by the end of the year from The Weinstein Company.

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Related categories: First Look, Hype