Kevin Smith set to make Canadian ‘True North’ trilogy, will include ‘Jaws with a moose’ pic ‘Moose Jaws’

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCQJnOn0ru0

It's been a busy year for director Kevin Smith.

When he’s not making movies, like “Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back,” “Zack and Miri Make a Porno,” or “Red State,” he’s usually touring with his podcast, complaining about Jennifer Garner, or rightfully bragging that he got to visit the set of “Star Wars Episode VII.”

The “Clerks” filmmaker is set to be even busier later this year when his new horror-comedy “Tusk” hits theatres. The film, which stars Justin Long, Haley Joel Osment, Genesis Rodriguez, and Smith’s “Red State” collaborator Michael Parks, has a pretty disturbing premise. “Tusk” is the story of a popular American podcaster (Long) who is kidnapped by an eccentric recluse (Parks) in rural Manitoba and slowly transformed into a creature resembling a walrus. “Tusk” will have its world premiere at the 2014 Toronto International Film Festival. Not only is “Tusk” Smith’s first foray into the horror genre, it’s also the first time one of his films has been set in Canada – but from the sounds of it, it certainly won’t be the last.

According to reports from Smith’s annual San Diego Comic Con panel, the director hopes “Tusk” will be the first part of a Canadian-themed series of films the director is calling “The True North Trilogy.” Smith’s next project will be another Canada-set effort titled “Yoga Hosers,” a film about two teenage girls and superpowers (Smith did not specify whether they were the superhero kind or the country kind). As for the planned third film in the series, well, it sounds pretty much like the greatest thing ever. “Moose Jaws” is exactly what it sounds like: “Jaws” with a moose. Sold!

Smith has always been a big fan of Canada, but this is the first time he’s really shown it on the big screen. The 1994 Toronto International Film Festival was one of the first places that screened the filmmaker’s breakout movie “Clerks” and Smith has been coming back ever since. He and pal Jason Mewes have since appeared on multiple episodes of the TV series "Degrassi,” and Smith recently finished shooting the hockey miniseries “Hit Somebody” in Canada as well. He’s basically an honourary Canadian at this point, and the “True North” trilogy will likely cement his reputation as one serious Canuck lover.