Kevin Smith recently finished shooting Tusk, a self-described “monster movie” starring Justin Long, Michael Parks, and Genesis Rodriguez. While Smith had originally planned to bring Tusk to next year’s Sundance Film Festival, he recently decided to postpone the release in order to allow more time for scoring and post-production.
Today comes the announcement that A24 Films, whose credits include The Spectacular Now, The Bling Ring, and Spring Breakers, have picked up the film for distribution in the third quarter of 2014. Here’s the official scoop:
24 and Demarest Films have teamed up on Kevin Smith’s latest film TUSK. The film, which stars Justin Long, Michael Parks, Genesis Rodriguez, and Haley Joel Osment, was born out of one of Kevin Smith’s immensely popular SModcasts. Currently in production, the modern-day monster movie was also written by Smith. Sam Englebardt, David Greathouse, and Shannon McIntosh are producing.
A24 plans for a wide release of the film in the third quarter of 2014.
Said A24, “We had the privilege of visiting Kevin on the TUSK set and seeing some of his early footage. We can say with certainty that this movie will blow people’s minds. Truly one you’ll have to see to believe.”
“I’m as happy as the day Miramax bought Clerks back in ’94! We’re so lucky A24 fell in love with our walrus picture and jumped in the pool with us. I was a big fan of how they released The Bling Ring and Spring Breakers, so I was praying TUSK would take root there. If anyone knows how to bring this flick to the masses, it’s them!” says Smith.
Demarest’s Sam Englebardt added, “We’re thrilled that A24 has joined us in backing Kevin’s wild, deviant vision. Tusk will be a horror movie for the ages and we couldn’t imagine a better partner in bringing it to the world.
TUSK follows Wallace (Long) a journalist on a mission. He finds the story of a lifetime in Mr. Howe (Parks), a worldwide adventurer with amazing tales and a curious penchant for walruses.
a24 films justin long kevin smith michael parks tusk