Editing Kevin Smith (section)

===As a filmmaker===
On his 21st birthday, Smith saw [[Richard Linklater]]'s comedy ''[[Slacker (film)|Slacker]]''.<ref name="Grdn">{{cite news |last1=Hoad |first1=Phil |title=Kevin Smith: how we made Clerks |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2019/may/07/how-we-made-clerks-kevin-smith |access-date=20 September 2023 |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=7 May 2019}}</ref> Impressed that Linklater set and shot the film in his hometown of [[Austin, Texas]], rather than on a soundstage in a major city, Smith was inspired to become a filmmaker, and to set films where he lived.<ref name=Playboy/> He has said: "It was the movie that got me off my ass; it was the movie that lit a fire under me, the movie that made me think, 'Hey, I could be a filmmaker.' And I had never seen a movie like that before ever in my life."<ref>{{cite book|first=Robert K.|last=Elder|title=The Film That Changed My Life|publisher=[[Chicago Review Press]]|location=Chicago, Illinois|date=2011|page=236|isbn=978-1-56976-828-0}}</ref> He assembled a library of independent filmmakers like Linklater, [[Jim Jarmusch]], [[Spike Lee]] and [[Hal Hartley]] to draw from.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/hollywood/interviews/smith.html|title=The Monster That Ate Hollywood – Interviews – PBS – FRONTLINE – PBS|website=www.pbs.org|access-date=November 3, 2018}}</ref>

Smith attended [[Vancouver Film School]] for four months, where he met longtime collaborators [[Scott Mosier]] and [[Dave Klein (cinematographer)|Dave Klein]]. Unlike them, Smith left halfway through the course, figuring he knew enough to proceed and wanting to save money for his first film.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://filmschoolrejects.com/exclusive-we-shoot-the-sh-t-with-kevin-smith-c62a80b020d8/|title=Exclusive: We Shoot The Sh*t With Kevin Smith|work=filmschoolrejects.com|date=October 18, 2009 |access-date=February 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402124808/http://filmschoolrejects.com/features/exclusive-film-school-rejects-kevin-smith-interview-colea.php/5|archive-date=April 2, 2015|df=mdy-all}}</ref>

Smith moved back to New Jersey and got his old job back at a convenience store in [[Leonardo, New Jersey|Leonardo]].<ref name=Playboy/><ref>{{cite web|first=Brian|last=Donohue|url=https://www.nj.com/ledgerlive/2014/01/the_pre-snowstorm_rush_at_the.html|title=The pre-snowstorm rush at the Quick Stop of 'Clerks' movie fam|website=[[NJ.com]]|date=January 3, 2014|access-date=February 18, 2022}}</ref> He decided to set his film, ''[[Clerks (film)|Clerks]]'', at the store, borrowing the a-day-in-the-life structure from the Spike Lee film ''[[Do the Right Thing]]''. Smith maxed out more than a dozen credit cards, and sold his much-treasured comic book collection, to raise $27,575 to make the film,<ref name="Grdn"/> while saving money by casting friends and acquaintances in most roles. ''Clerks'' was screened at the [[Sundance Film Festival]] in 1994, where it won the Filmmaker's Trophy. At a restaurant following the screening, [[Miramax|Miramax Films]] executive [[Harvey Weinstein]] invited Smith to join him at his table, where he offered to buy the film. In May 1994, it went to the [[Cannes International Film Festival]], where it won both the Prix de la Jeunesse and the International Critics' Week Prize. Released in October 1994 in two cities, the film went on to play in 50 markets, never playing on more than 50 screens at any given time. Despite the limited release, it was a critical and financial success, earning $3.1 million.<ref name=Playboy/><ref>{{cite news|title=Register Dogs|first=Chris|last=Smith|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8-MCAAAAMBAJ&q=register+dogs+clerks+kevin+smith&pg=PA50|newspaper=[[New York (magazine)|New York]]/[[Google Books]]|date=October 24, 1994}}</ref> Initially, the film received an [[NC-17]] rating from the [[Motion Picture Association of America|MPAA]] for sexually graphic language. Miramax hired [[Alan Dershowitz]] to sue the MPAA. At an appeals screening, a jury of members of the National Association of Theatre Owners reversed the MPAA's decision, and the film was given an R rating.<ref>{{cite magazine|first=Adam|last=Vitcavage|url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/17-films-that-were-originally-rated-nc-17/|title=17 Films That Were Originally Rated NC-17|magazine=[[Paste (magazine)|Paste]]|publisher=[[Wolfgang's]]|date=November 1, 2011|access-date=February 18, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first=Christian|last=Blauvelt|url=https://www.hollywood.com/movies/evil-dead-nc-17-movies-defied-mpaa-censorship-57243666|title=15 NC-17 Movies That Got Around the MPAA|website=[[Hollywood.com]]|date=April 9, 2013 |access-date=February 18, 2022}}</ref> The movie had a profound effect on the independent film community. According to producer and author [[John Pierson (filmmaker)|John Pierson]], it is considered one of the two most influential film debuts in the 1990s, along with ''[[The Brothers McMullen]]''.<ref name=Playboy/>

Smith's second film, ''[[Mallrats]]'', [[Jason Lee (actor)|Jason Lee]]'s debut as a leading man, did not fare as well as expected. It received a critical drubbing and earned only $2.2 million at the box office despite playing on more than 500 screens. ''Mallrats'' was more successful in the home video market.<ref name=Playboy/><ref>{{cite book|first=John Kenneth|last=Muir|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MkfLxUKLd0YC&q=Mallrats%2C+success%2C+home+video&pg=PA62|title=An Askew View: The Films of Kevin Smith|publisher=Applause Theatre & Cinema Books|location=Milwaukee, Wisconsin|date=2002|page=62|isbn=978-1-55783-586-4|access-date=January 30, 2015|via=[[Google Books]]}}</ref>

Widely hailed as Smith's best film, 1997's ''[[Chasing Amy]]'' marked what [[Quentin Tarantino]] called "a quantum leap forward" for Smith.<ref>{{cite web|first=Anna|last=Bengel|date=October 29, 2008|url=http://backstage.blogs.com/blogstage/2008/10/kevin-smith-breaks-it-down.html|title=Kevin Smith Breaks It Down|website=[[Backstage (magazine)|Backstage]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150414220925/http://backstage.blogs.com/blogstage/2008/10/kevin-smith-breaks-it-down.html |archive-date=April 14, 2015|access-date=January 30, 2015}}</ref> Starring ''Mallrats'' alumni Jason Lee, [[Joey Lauren Adams]] and [[Ben Affleck]], the $250,000 film earned $12 million at the box office,<ref>{{cite web|first=Peter|last=Sciretta|date=January 21, 2015|url=https://www.slashfilm.com/535824/best-movies-of-sundance-film-festival-history/|title=The Best Movies of Sundance Film Festival History 1985–1999|website=[[/Film]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220219030543/https://www.slashfilm.com/535824/best-movies-of-sundance-film-festival-history/ |archive-date=February 19, 2022|access-date=February 18, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl306939393/weekend/|title=Chasing Amy|website=[[Box Office Mojo]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228163236/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl306939393/weekend/ |archive-date=February 28, 2022 |access-date=February 28, 2022}}</ref> wound up on a number of critics' year-end best lists,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/top/bestofrt/?year=1997|title=Top 100 Movies of 1997|website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200114050258/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/top/bestofrt/?year=1997 |archive-date=January 14, 2020|access-date=January 30, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Roger|last=Ebert|author-link=Roger Ebert|date=December 31, 1997|newspaper=[[Chicago Sun-Times]]|url=https://www.rogerebert.com/rogers-journal/the-best-10-movies-of-1997|title=The Best 10 Movies of 1997|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200404064220/https://www.rogerebert.com/rogers-journal/the-best-10-movies-of-1997 |archive-date=April 4, 2020 }}</ref> and won two [[Independent Spirit Award]]s (for Screenplay and Supporting Actor for Lee).<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/movies/movie/154583/Chasing-Amy/details|title=Chasing Amy (1997)|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=September 4, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140904041738/http://www.nytimes.com/movies/movie/154583/Chasing-Amy/details|archive-date=September 4, 2014|access-date=January 30, 2015}}</ref> The film received some criticism from members of the lesbian community, who felt that it reinforced the perception that lesbians merely need to find the right man. Smith, whose brother Donald is [[gay]], found this accusation frustrating, as he has endeavored to be a pro-[[LGBT]] filmmaker, believing that sexuality is more fluid, with social taboos, not sexual desire, preventing more people from expressing [[bisexuality]].<ref name=Playboy/>

Smith's fourth film, ''[[Dogma (film)|Dogma]]'' (1999), featured an all-star cast and was mired in controversy. A religious-themed comedy that starred a post-''[[Good Will Hunting]]'' Ben Affleck and [[Matt Damon]], as well as [[Chris Rock]], [[Salma Hayek]], [[George Carlin]], [[Alan Rickman]], [[Linda Fiorentino]], and Lee and Mewes, it was criticized by the [[Catholic League (U.S.)|Catholic League]].<ref>{{cite news|first=Ron|last=Givens|url=http://articles.nydailynews.com/1999-08-17/entertainment/18115795_1_dogma-cannes-new-york-film-festival|title=Some Controversy Projected For Ny Film Fest 25-movie Bill Includes Kevin Smith's Religious Comedy 'Dogma'|newspaper=[[The New York Daily News]]|date=August 17, 1999|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120616074843/http://articles.nydailynews.com/1999-08-17/entertainment/18115795_1_dogma-cannes-new-york-film-festival |archive-date=June 16, 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/SHOWBIZ/Movies/9911/12/kevin.smith.chat/~hsindex.html|title=Kevin Smith on New Jersey, fatherhood and Dogma|website=[[CNN]]|date=November 12, 1999|access-date=February 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120313231219/http://articles.cnn.com/1999-11-12/entertainment/9911_12_kevin.smith.chat_1_dogma-director-film-clerks?_s=PM:SHOWBIZ |archive-date=March 13, 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/1999/oct/05/news|title=Dogma screening brings Catholic protests|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|date=October 5, 1999|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161009193923/https://www.theguardian.com/film/1999/oct/05/news |archive-date=October 9, 2016}}</ref> The film debuted at the [[1999 Cannes Film Festival]], out of competition. Released on 800 screens in November 1999, the $10 million film earned $30 million.

[[File:KevinSmith08TIFF.jpg|thumb|right|upright|Smith at the [[2008 Toronto International Film Festival]]]]
Smith then focused the spotlight on the two characters who had appeared in supporting roles in his previous four films. ''[[Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back]]'' featured an all-star cast, with many familiar faces returning from those four films. Affleck and Damon appear as themselves filming a mock sequel to ''Good Will Hunting''. The $20 million film earned $30 million at the box office and received mixed reviews from critics.

''[[Jersey Girl (2004 film)|Jersey Girl]]'', with Affleck, [[Liv Tyler]], George Carlin, and [[Raquel Castro]], Smith's first film outside the View Askewniverse, marked a new direction in Smith's career. The film took a critical beating<ref>[https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/jersey_girl/ "Jersey Girl (2004)"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160505015601/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/jersey_girl |date=May 5, 2016 }}. [[Rotten Tomatoes]]. Retrieved November 4, 2012.</ref> as it was seen as, in Smith's own words, "''[[Gigli]] 2''", because it co-starred Affleck and his then girlfriend, [[Jennifer Lopez]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.today.com/id/wbna4580539|title=Marketing 'Jersey Girl' in a post-'Gigli' world |publisher= [[Today (American TV program)|Today]]|date=March 29, 2004 }}</ref> Smith heavily reedited the film to reduce Lopez's role to just a few scenes, but the film did poorly at the box office. Budgeted at $35 million, it earned $36 million.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl677217793/|title=Jersey Girl|website=Box Office Mojo|access-date=February 28, 2022}}</ref>

In the 2006 sequel ''[[Clerks II]]'', Smith revisited the Dante and Randal characters from his first film. Roundly criticized before its release, the film won favorable reviews as well as two awards (the Audience Award at the [[Edinburgh Film Festival]] and the Orbit Dirtiest Mouth Award at the [[MTV Movie Awards]]).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.timeout.com/film/news/1364/Time |title=Kevin Smith Wins in Edinburgh |publisher=Timeout.com |access-date=November 9, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081205140927/http://www.timeout.com/film/news/1364/Time/ |archive-date=December 5, 2008 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> It marked Smith's third trip to the Cannes International Film Festival, where it received an eight-minute standing ovation.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.slashfilm.com/article.php/20060530191203542 |title=Video: Clerks 2's 8-Minute Standing Ovation |publisher=/Film |access-date=November 9, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081010143041/http://www.slashfilm.com/article.php/20060530191203542 |archive-date=October 10, 2008 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> The $5 million film, starring Jeff Anderson, Brian O'Halloran, [[Rosario Dawson]], Mewes, Jennifer Schwalbach and Smith reprising his role as Silent Bob, earned $25 million.

''[[Zack and Miri Make a Porno]]'' was originally announced in March 2006 as Smith's second non-Askewniverse film. The film began shooting on January 18, 2008, in [[Monroeville, Pennsylvania]], and wrapped on March 15, 2008. It stars [[Seth Rogen]] and [[Elizabeth Banks]] as the title characters who decide to make a low-budget pornographic film to solve their money problems. It was released on October 31, 2008, and ran into many conflicts getting an "R" rating. Rogen said:
{{blockquote|It's a really filthy movie. I hear they are having some problems getting an R rating from an NC-17 rating, which is never good. They [fight against] sex stuff. Isn't that weird? It's really crazy to me that ''[[Hostel (2005 film)|Hostel]]'' is fine, with people gouging their eyes out and shit like that, but you can't show two people having sex—that's too much.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Carroll |first1=Larry |title=Seth Rogen Says Kevin Smith's 'Porno' Is Having Trouble Getting An R Rating Instead Of NC-17 |url=https://www.mtv.com/news/1589686/seth-rogen-says-kevin-smiths-porno-is-having-trouble-getting-an-r-rating-instead-of-nc-17/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140718033217/http://www.mtv.com/news/1589686/seth-rogen-says-kevin-smiths-porno-is-having-trouble-getting-an-r-rating-instead-of-nc-17/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 18, 2014 |website=MTV News |access-date=February 18, 2022 |date=June 19, 2008}}</ref>}} Smith took the film through the MPAA's appeals process and received an R rating without having to make any edits.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nj.com/entertainment/tv/2008/10/kevin_smith_qa_porn_and_life_a.html |first=Stephen |last=Whitty |title=Kevin Smith Q&A: Porn and life after Apatow |work=The Star-Ledger |date=October 30, 2008|access-date=February 18, 2022}}</ref> ''Zack and Miri Make a Porno'' was considered a box-office "flop".<ref name="whatculture1">{{cite web|url=http://whatculture.com/film/quantum-of-solace-sets-new-records-zack-and-miri-make-a-flop.php |title=QUANTUM OF SOLACE sets new records, ZACK AND MIRI make a flop! |publisher=WhatCulture! |date=November 2, 2008 |access-date=August 25, 2011}}</ref><ref name="HuffPost">{{cite news|url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/kevin-smith-talks-angry-y_b_309496|title=Kevin Smith Talks Judd Apatow, Weed, And His Post-'Zack And Miri' Depression|date=October 5, 2009|work=[[HuffPost]]|access-date=February 24, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.filmschoolrejects.com/news/box-office-zack-and-miri-make-no-money-hsm-3-wins-again.php |title=Box Office: Zack and Miri Make No Money, HSM 3 Wins Again |publisher=Film School Rejects |date=November 2, 2008 |access-date=August 25, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928171616/http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/news/box-office-zack-and-miri-make-no-money-hsm-3-wins-again.php |archive-date=September 28, 2011 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> It was hurt by "tepid media advertising for a movie with the title PORNO".<ref name="whatculture1"/> In the aftermath of the film's performance, Smith's and Weinstein's business relationship became "frayed".<ref name="alarmist ninnies">{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/kevin-smith-alarmist-ninnies-misinterpreted-95811|title=Kevin Smith: 'Alarmist Ninnies' Misinterpreted Sundance Outburst|first=Kim|last=Masters|newspaper=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|date=February 3, 2011}}</ref> ''Zack and Miri'' opened #2 behind ''[[High School Musical 3: Senior Year]]'' with $10,682,000 from 2,735 theaters, an average of $3,906.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/chart/?view=&yr=2008&wknd=44&p=.htm|title=Weekend Box Office Results from 10/31 to 11/02|website=Box Office Mojo| access-date=2008-11-02}}</ref> The "bankable" Rogen<ref>{{cite web |url=http://athletes-celebrities.tseworld.com/entertainment/actors/seth-rogen.php |title=Seth Rogen |publisher=TSE Sports & Entertainment |work=Athletes-Celebrities.TSEworld.com |access-date=2010-03-22 |quote=As one of the hottest young stars in comedy, Seth Rogen has gone from scene-stealing supporting character to bankable leading man in just a few short years |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090414123405/http://athletes-celebrities.tseworld.com/entertainment/actors/seth-rogen.php |archive-date=April 14, 2009 |url-status=usurped |df=mdy-all }}</ref> experienced his "worst box-office opening ever".<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.filmschoolrejects.com/news/box-office-zack-and-miri-make-no-money-hsm-3-wins-again.php |first= John |last= Carins |title= "Zack and Miri Make No Money, HSM 3 Wins Again" Film School Rejects |publisher= Film School Rejects|date= November 2, 2008 |access-date= 2010-03-22 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110928171616/http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/news/box-office-zack-and-miri-make-no-money-hsm-3-wins-again.php |archive-date= September 28, 2011 |df= mdy-all }}</ref> In an interview with Katla McGlynn of the ''[[Huffington Post]]'', Smith said:

{{blockquote|I was depressed, man. I wanted that movie to do so much better. I'm sitting there thinking 'That's it, that's it, I'm gone, I'm out. The movie didn't do well and I killed Seth Rogen's career! This dude was on a roll until he got in with the likes of me. I'm a career killer! [[Judd Apatow|Judd [Apatow]'s]] going to be pissed, the whole Internet's going to be pissed because they all like Seth, and the only reason they like me anymore is because I was involved with Seth! And now I fuckin' ruined that. It was like high school. I was like, 'I'm a dead man. I'll be the laughing stock.'<ref name="HuffPost"/>}}

It was announced in 2009 that Smith had signed on to direct ''A Couple of Dicks'', a buddy-cop comedy written by the Cullen Brothers and starring [[Bruce Willis]] and [[Tracy Morgan]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.quickstopentertainment.com/2009/03/09/smodcast-79/ |title=SModcast 79 " FRED Entertainment |publisher=Quickstopentertainment.com |access-date=March 15, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090514133046/http://www.quickstopentertainment.com/2009/03/09/smodcast-79/ |archive-date=May 14, 2009 |url-status=usurped |df=mdy-all }}</ref> Due to controversy surrounding the original title, it was changed to ''A Couple of Cops'',<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/2431637/bruce-willis-tracy-morgan-are-a-couple-of-cops-for-kevin-smith/|title=Bruce Willis, Tracy Morgan Are 'A Couple of Cops' For Kevin Smith |website=MTV|date=October 17, 2008 |access-date=February 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100316140924/http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2009/03/04/bruce-willis-tracy-morgan-are-a-couple-of-cops-for-kevin-smith |archive-date=March 16, 2010 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> then reverted to its original title due to negative reaction,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.slashfilm.com/502786/a-couple-of-dicks-warner-bros-doesnt-cop-out/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090307114627/http://www.slashfilm.com/2009/03/05/a-couple-of-dicks-warner-bros-doesnt-cop-out/|archive-date=March 7, 2009 |title=A Couple of Dicks: Warner Bros Doesn't COP Out|publisher=/Film |date=March 5, 2009 |access-date=February 18, 2022}}</ref> before finally settling on the title ''[[Cop Out (2010 film)|Cop Out]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://thefilmstage.com/2009/12/12/exclusive-smiths-a-couple-of-dicks-new-title-revealed-inception-trailer-for-christmas/ |title=[Exclusive&#93; Smith's 'A Couple of Dicks' New Title Revealed, 'Inception' Trailer For Christmas |website=The Film Stage |access-date=March 15, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100324040941/http://thefilmstage.com/2009/12/12/exclusive-smiths-a-couple-of-dicks-new-title-revealed-inception-trailer-for-christmas/ |archive-date=March 24, 2010 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> The film, shot from June to August 2009, involves a pair of veteran cops tracking down a stolen vintage baseball card,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ercboxoffice.com/index.php?page=news&news_id=116 |title=Special Report:KEVIN SMITH TAKES ON "DICKS"|publisher=Exhibitor Relations Co. |date=March 10, 2010 |access-date=March 15, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090627201823/http://www.ercboxoffice.com/index.php?page=news&news_id=116 |archive-date=June 27, 2009 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> and was released on February 26, 2010, to poor reviews; it was the first film Smith directed but did not write. ''Cop Out'' opened at number two at the box office and was mired in controversy, mostly over reported conflicts on the set between Smith and Willis. It was the last time Smith worked with a major studio, leading him to return to his independent film roots.<ref name="HuffPost"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl206407169/ |title=Cop Out (2010) |website=Box Office Mojo|date=May 20, 2010 |access-date=February 28, 2022}}</ref>

In September 2010, Smith started work on ''[[Red State (2011 film)|Red State]]'', an independently financed horror film loosely inspired by the [[Westboro Baptist Church]] and its pastor, [[Fred Phelps]].<ref>{{cite web|first=Peter|last=Sciretta|url=https://www.slashfilm.com/article.php/20060807kevin-smith-horror-film|title=Kevin Smith Announces Horror Film|website=[[/Film]]|date=August 7, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101023220054/http://www.slashfilm.com/article.php/20060807kevin-smith-horror-film |archive-date=October 23, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/article/rtuk-exclusive-kevin-smiths-horror-project-revealed/ |title=Rotten Tomatoes, RT-UK Exclusive: Kevin Smith's Horror Project Revealed |website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|first=Joe |last=Utichi |date=April 6, 2007 |access-date=February 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080331153126/http://uk.rottentomatoes.com/news/1648575/ |archive-date=March 31, 2008 |df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/17813 |title=Kevin Smith Gets Down and Dirty with 'Red State' Details |date=October 24, 2009 |website=[[Bloody Disgusting]] |access-date=March 15, 2010}}</ref> Weinstein and his brother [[Bob Weinstein|Bob]], who had been involved in the distribution of Smith's films except ''Mallrats'' and ''Cop Out'', declined to support ''Red State''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dreadcentral.com/news/13804/kevin-smith-s-red-state-gets-funding/ |title=Kevin Smith's Red State Gets Funding? |date=October 8, 2009 |publisher=Dread Central|access-date=February 18, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/news/19560/kevin-smith-shooting-red-state-this-july/|title=Kevin Smith Shooting 'Red State' This July?|first=Brad|last=Miska|date=March 23, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Comic Con: Michael Parks Cast In Kevin Smith's ''Red State'' |first=Eric |last=Eisenberg |url=https://www.cinemablend.com/new/Comic-Con-Michael-Parks-Cast-In-Kevin-Smith-s-Red-State-19818.html |publisher=Cinema Blend |date=July 24, 2010 |access-date=July 26, 2010 |archive-date=July 27, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100727102359/http://www.cinemablend.com/new/Comic-Con-Michael-Parks-Cast-In-Kevin-Smith-s-Red-State-19818.html }}</ref><ref>{{Cite tweet|first=Kevin |last=Smith|title=Via @CincinnatiGAZzy "is it true that Matt Jones (Badger from BREAKING BAD) is cast in RED STATE?" Yup. He & Parks share a killer scene...|user=ThatKevinSmith|number=23065492097|date=September 5, 2010 |access-date=September 5, 2010 }}</ref><ref>Smith, Kevin (October 31, 2010). [http://silentbobspeaks.com/?p=397 "Red State-ment"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023133858/http://silentbobspeaks.com/?p=397 |date=October 23, 2012 }}. Silent Bob Speaks.</ref> The film stars [[Michael Parks]], [[John Goodman]] and [[Melissa Leo]]. Smith had said he would auction off rights to the $4 million film at a controversial event following its debut screening at [[27th Sundance Film Festival|Sundance]] but instead kept the rights to the film himself and self-distributed it under the [[SModcast Pictures]] banner. The January 2011 premiere drew protests from a half-dozen members of the church, along with many more who counter-protested Westboro members.<ref>Yuan, Jada (January 24, 2011). [https://www.vulture.com/2011/01/kevin_smith_red_state.html "Kevin Smith's Red State Premiered at Sundance, and Vulture Was There"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200224210358/https://www.vulture.com/2011/01/kevin_smith_red_state.html |date=February 24, 2020 }}. ''[[Vulture (magazine)|Vulture]]''.</ref> Smith explained his decision as a way to return to an era when marketing a film did not cost four times as much as the film itself, a situation he called "decadent and deadening".<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Gleiberman |first1=Owen |title=Kevin Smith says he's retiring. So does Steven Soderbergh. Former indie wunderkinds, we hardly knew ye! |url=https://ew.com/article/2011/02/10/kevin-smith-says-that-hes-retiring/ |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=February 18, 2022 |date=February 10, 2011}}</ref>''Red State'' was a box office bomb, earning just $1,104,682, and opened to poor reviews; the critical consensus (according to [[Rotten Tomatoes]]) was "''Red State'' is an audacious and brash affair that ultimately fails to provide competent scares or thrills."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/red_state/|title=Red State (2011)|website=Rotten Tomatoes|access-date=October 27, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl1215137281/|title=Red State (2011)|website=Box Office Mojo|access-date=February 28, 2022}}</ref> In April 2011, Smith said that ''Red State'' had made its budget back by making $1 million on the first leg of the tour, $1.5 million from a handful of foreign sales and $3 million from a domestic distribution deal for VOD.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.slashfilm.com/515171/red-state-officially-black-screens-quentin-tarantino/|title='Red State' Officially In The Black, Screens For Quentin Tarantino|work=/Film|date=April 19, 2011|access-date=February 18, 2022}}</ref>

Smith had said before ''Red State'' that he would soon retire from directing, and announced that his last movie would be ''[[Clerks III]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.slashfilm.com/524102/kevin-smith-to-make-clerks-iii-when-jeff-anderson-signs-on/|title=Kevin Smith to Make 'Clerks III' (When Jeff Anderson Signs On)|publisher=/Film|date=December 7, 2012|access-date=February 18, 2022}}</ref> In December 2013, he said he would continue to make films, but only ones that were uniquely his, as opposed to generic ones "anybody could make".<ref name=Unretiring>{{cite web|url=http://fansided.com/2013/12/31/clerks-iii-kevin-smith-eyeing-may-production-retiring/|title='Clerks III' Kevin Smith Eyeing May Production, Not Retiring After All|publisher=Fansided|date=December 30, 2013|access-date=April 20, 2014|archive-date=May 2, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140502032908/http://fansided.com/2013/12/31/clerks-iii-kevin-smith-eyeing-may-production-retiring/}}</ref>

In 2013, Smith directed ''[[Tusk (2014 film)|Tusk]]'', a horror film inspired by a story Smith and Mosier read about a [[Gumtree]] ad for a man who rents out a room in his house for free on the condition that the respondent dresses as a walrus for two hours per day.<ref>{{cite web|last=Kendall|first=James|title=Chris Parkinson, Hoaxer, Unsung Hero No.45|url=http://brightonsource.co.uk/news/brighton-walrus-gumtree-ad-becomes-hollywood-movie/|work=Brighton Source|date=July 29, 2013 |access-date=October 7, 2013}}</ref> The project began pre-production in September 2013,<ref>{{cite web|author=Lussier, Germain|url=https://www.slashfilm.com/527195/kevin-smith-wrote-a-horror-movie-called-tusk-offers-clerks-iii-update/|title=Kevin Smith Wrote A Horror Movie Called 'Tusk;' Offers 'Clerks III' Info [Updated]|publisher=/Film|date=September 9, 2013|access-date=February 18, 2022}}</ref> and was shot in November of that year.<ref name="silentbobspeaks.com">{{cite web|url=http://silentbobspeaks.com/?p=1001|title=My Boring Ass Life " TUSK STARTS SHOOTING TODAY!|access-date=October 27, 2014}}</ref><ref name="twitter.com/ThatKevinSmith">{{cite tweet|user=ThatKevinSmith|number=402047126978711552|title="Is man, indeed, a walrus at heart?" We wrap TUSK this Friday!|date=November 17, 2013|access-date=February 18, 2022}}</ref> Released September 19, 2014, it received mixed reviews.<ref name="Rotten Tomatoes">{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/tusk_2014|access-date=2020-12-28|title=Tusk (2014)|work=Rotten Tomatoes}}</ref>

Before ''Tusk''{{'s}} release, Smith wrote the script for a spin-off of the film, which he titled ''[[Yoga Hosers]]''. The film began filming in August 2014, and was released in 2016. It stars Smith's daughter, [[Harley Quinn Smith]], and [[Lily-Rose Depp]], reprising their two minor characters from ''Tusk'', with [[Johnny Depp]] playing his inspector character from the earlier film.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/entertainment/film-tv/news/kevin-smith-confirms-tusk-spin-off-30411687.html|title=Kevin Smith confirms Tusk spin-off|work=Belfast Telegraph|access-date=February 18, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/kevin-smith-johnny-depp-team-726264/|title=Kevin Smith and Johnny Depp Team for Action-Adventure 'Yoga Hosers' (Exclusive)|author=Borys Kit|date=August 19, 2014|work=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=February 18, 2022}}</ref>

Smith revealed at the 2014 [[San Diego Comic-Con]] that he had written the script for a film called ''[[Moose Jaws]]'', which he described as "''[[Jaws (film)|Jaws]]'' with a moose", and which is planned to be the third film in his ''True North'' trilogy.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://comicbook.com/news/kevin-smith-to-make-moose-jaws-movie-where-a-moose-eats-a-little/|title=Kevin Smith To Make Moose Jaws Movie Where A Moose Eats A Little Kid|author=Joe Comicbook|work=ComicBook|date=July 30, 2014 |access-date=February 18, 2022}}</ref>

Smith wrote and directed one segment, ''Halloween'', of the 2016 horror [[anthology film]] ''[[Holidays (2016 film)|Holidays]]'', in which each segment takes place during a different holiday.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fangoria.com/new/horror-anthology-holidays-gets-tusk-starry-eyes-filmmakers/|title=Horror Anthology 'HOLIDAYS' gets 'TUSK', 'STARRY EYES' filmmakers|author=Kevin Jagernauth|date=September 30, 2014|work=Fangoria|access-date=October 27, 2014|archive-date=February 3, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150203020812/http://www.fangoria.com/new/horror-anthology-holidays-gets-tusk-starry-eyes-filmmakers/}}</ref>

In June 2017, Smith started shooting ''[[KillRoy Was Here]]'', a horror film based on the [[Kilroy was here|graffiti phenomenon]]. Directed by Smith, the script was co-written with Andrew McElfresh, marking the first time he shared writing credit. It represents a retooling of their ''Anti-Claus'' film, which was initially canceled after the release of ''[[Krampus (film)|Krampus]]'', due to the two stories' similarity. The film crew was mostly made up of students of the [[Ringling College of Art and Design]], with shooting continuing over every semester break.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.slashfilm.com/551575/kevin-smith-horror-anthology-movie-killroy-was-here/|title=Kevin Smith's Monster Movie 'Killroy Was Here' Begins Filming At A Florida College|website=[[/Film]]|last=Giroux|first=Jack|date=June 15, 2017|access-date=February 18, 2022}}</ref>

In 2017, due to obstacles getting ''Clerks 3'' or ''Mallrats 2'' produced, Smith decided to write and direct a ''[[Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back]]'' sequel instead, ''[[Jay and Silent Bob Reboot]]''. It was scheduled to be filmed in September 2017,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Dicker |first1=Rob |title=Kevin Smith Announces 'Jay And Silent Bob Reboot' |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/kevin-smith-announces-jay-and-silent-bob-reboot_n_589da54fe4b0ab2d2b143090 |work=[[HuffPost]] |access-date=February 18, 2022 |date=February 10, 2017}}</ref> but shooting was postponed to February and March 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://comicbook.com/movies/news/kevin-smith-heart-attack-anniversary-jay-and-silent-bob-reboot/|title='Jay and Silent Bob Reboot' Begins Production on One-Year Anniversary of Kevin Smith's Heart Attack|website=ComicBook|first=Nicole|last=Drum|date=February 25, 2019|access-date=February 18, 2022}}</ref> The first trailer for the film was released on July 18, 2019. Smith announced a tour to accompany the film.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rebootroadshow.com/|title=The Jay and Silent Bob Reboot Roadshow|access-date=July 18, 2019}}</ref>

On October 1, 2019, Smith announced on [[Instagram]] that ''[[Clerks III]]'' was happening and that [[Jeff Anderson]], who had retired, had agreed to reprise his role as Randal.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://comicbook.com/movies/news/kevin-smith-clerks-3-announced/|title=Kevin Smith Announces Clerks 3|website=ComicBook|author=Charlie Ridgely|date=October 1, 2019|access-date=February 18, 2022}}</ref> The film released on September 13, 2022.

In 2024, Smith released ''[[The 4:30 Movie (film)|The 4:30 Movie]]'', focusing on a group of teenagers in the 1980s who spent a day "theatre-hopping", in Monmouth County, New Jersey.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.joblo.com/the-430-movie-kevin-smith-sag-waiver/|title=The 4:30 Movie: Kevin Smith set to shoot his new film with a SAG waiver|website=Joblo|first=E.J.|last=Tangonan|date=August 4, 2023|access-date=September 6, 2023}}</ref>

====Relationship with Harvey Weinstein====
With the exception of ''Mallrats'', all of Smith's films until 2008 were financed and/or distributed by [[Harvey Weinstein]] and his brother [[Bob Weinstein|Bob]], via their companies [[Miramax]], [[Dimension Films]], and [[The Weinstein Company]]. In 2008 Smith's relationship with Harvey Weinstein soured due to the financial failure of ''Zack and Miri Make a Porno'', which Smith blamed on a lack of marketing.<ref name="alarmist ninnies" /> Nonetheless, they continued to discuss potential funding for other Smith projects, and The Weinstein Company co-produced Smith's 2016 talk show ''[[Geeking Out]]''. Smith named the independent production company he created for the 2011 film ''Red State'' "The Harvey Boys" in Weinstein's honor.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Kevin Smith: Why He's Going Rogue with Red State |url=https://entertainment.time.com/2011/02/02/kevin-smith-rogue-with-red-state/ |first=Mary |last=Pols |date=February 2, 2011 |magazine=Time}}</ref> Smith is considered one of the writer-directors whose career Weinstein nurtured, a group that also includes [[Quentin Tarantino]] and [[David O. Russell]].<ref>{{cite web |title=WHICH DIRECTORS PROFITED FROM WEINSTEIN? KEVIN SMITH, TARANTINO HAVE SPOKEN OUT; OTHERS HAVE NOT. |url=http://www.newsweek.com/directors-profit-harvey-weinstein-690492 |first=Anna |last=Menta |date=October 23, 2017 |work=Newsweek}}</ref>

Smith severed professional ties with Weinstein when he was informed of his assault on [[Rose McGowan]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.kcrw.com/culture/shows/the-business/kevin-smith-on-weinstein-and-indie-filmmaking-25-years-after-clerks/kevin-smith-reflects-on-a-changing-industry-and-takes-his-new-movie-on-the-road|title=Kevin Smith reflects on a changing industry, and takes his new movie on the road|website=KCRW|date=September 28, 2019 }}</ref> Soon after [[Harvey Weinstein sexual abuse allegations|allegations of rape and sexual assault by Weinstein]] publicly surfaced in October 2017, Smith said on Twitter that he was "ashamed" of his relationship with Weinstein. On his ''Hollywood Babble-On'' podcast, he said: "My entire career is tied up with the man", adding: "No fucking movie is worth all this." He lamented that in addition to working with Weinstein, "I sat out there talking about this man like he was a hero, like he was my friend, like he was my father." He pledged to donate all his future [[Residual (entertainment industry)|residuals]] from his Weinstein-produced films to the nonprofit organization [[Women in Film and Television International|Women in Film]], which advocates for the inclusion of more women in film production.<ref>{{cite web |title=Kevin Smith To Donate Dividends From Weinstein-Made Movies To Women In Film |url=https://deadline.com/2017/10/harvey-weintein-kevin-smith-wif-donation-1202190654/ |first=Anthony |last=D'Alessandro |date=October 18, 2017 |work=Deadline Hollywood}}</ref> Smith later announced that, due to the declining appeal of his earlier films, the residuals from Weinstein-funded films may be lower than expected; he decided that he would instead donate $2,000 a month to Women in Film.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGPp38nM0pc| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190812111259/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGPp38nM0pc&gl=US&hl=en| archive-date=2019-08-12|title=An Emotional Kevin Smith Pledges To Donate His Residuals From Weinstein-Made Films|via=YouTube}}</ref>

====Frequent collaborators====
{{Main|List of frequent Kevin Smith collaborators}}
Smith regularly casts the same actors in his film projects. [[Jason Mewes]] has been in nine of his films, his wife [[Jennifer Schwalbach Smith]] in eight and [[Ben Affleck]] in seven.