Kevin Smith Stays True To His Friends

Posted Tuesday, August 27, 2002 at 4:03 PM Central

by John Couture

Kevin Smith has promised repeatedly that Jersey Girl, his latest movie, will not be set in his self-anointed View Askewniverse. But he didn't say anything about not inviting his friends along for the ride into the unknown.

Kevin has always prided himself on the fact that his stars quickly become his friends and are often chomping at the bit to be in his next pic. Jersey Girl is no different. His bud and West Coast landlord Ben Affleck has been long attached as the lead Ollie, a man who's trying to deal with a new wife and her 6 year old daughter. And, as art often imitates life, or your landlord slips you a casting request, Ben's new love, the ubiquitous Jennifer Lopez herself is cast as Ollie's new wife.

George Carlin returns for his third Smith picture as Ben's father, while Matt Damon has scored his fourth Askew role, albeit his role in Chasing Amy was minimal at best. And now, it seems the new friends are getting in on the act as well. Jason Biggs, who lampooned himself in last year's Jay And Silent Bob Strike Back, returns as Ollie's protege.

If that wasn't enough "Six Degrees Of Kevin Smith" for ya, there's even rumors that Jersey Girl could shape up to be an Armageddon reunion of sorts. Liv Tyler has already signed on to play an influential video store clerk, while rumor has it that Bruce Willis might have a brief cameo portraying himself.

Oh, did we mention that it officially starting filming this week and that it's targeted for a November 2003 release? Just in time for Oscar consideration...