Kevin Smith Joins Showtime Pilot

Zap2It.com | November 9, 2006

Kevin Smith

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Purefoy, Hipp and Corbett also star

Kevin Smith, creator of many of the most memorable cinematic man-children of the past decade, will co-star Showtime's comedy pilot "Manchild."

The "Clerks" and "Chasing Amy" writer-director (and "DeGrassi" co-star) will appear in the Showtime revamp of the BBC hit along with Paul Hipp, John Corbett and fellow new addition James Purefoy.

"Manchild" revolves around a group of fortysomething male friends all going through different kinds of midlife crises. Stephen Gyllenhaal is directing the pilot, which comes from producers Robb and Mark Cullen ("Lucky"), Darren Star ("Sex and the City") and Nick Fisher, creator of the original series.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Smith will play a self-loathing cynic who turns his frustrations on his ex-wife and her new husband. Purefoy will play the leader of the friends, an attractive and wealthy man who doesn't date anybody over 25.

This would mark the first regular series gig for Smith, unless you count his executive producing duties on ABC's animated "Clerks" series. The once-and-future Silent Bob has been expanding his acting horizons in recent years with work on films like "Southland Tales" and the upcoming "Catch and Release."

Purefoy is finishing production on his second season as Marc Anthony on HBO's "Rome." His feature credits include "Vanity Fair," "Resident Evil" and "A Knight's Tale."