Why Kevin Smith directed a buddy cop movie he didn't write himself
In short: Kevin Smith is famous for directing his own scripts, but the 2010 action comedy Cop Out was the sole exception in his career. Driven by the chance to work with Bruce Willis, Smith took on the project, only to face a difficult production and a critical backlash that turned personal.
Originally titled A Couple of Dicks, the screenplay by Mark and Robb Cullen appeared on a 2008 industry list of the most popular unproduced scripts in Hollywood. The project underwent several name changes to improve its marketability, eventually settling on Cop Out—a title Smith later admitted was a self-deprecating nod to the film's departure from his usual creative process. Before production, Warner Bros. required Smith to storyboard the entire film with cinematographer David Klein, a departure from his typical workflow.
The film starred Bruce Willis and Tracy Morgan as NYPD detectives searching for a stolen 1952 baseball card, a plot that drew comparisons to 1980s buddy cop classics. While Smith accepted a lower salary to secure Willis, the set was reportedly strained. Smith later spoke openly about his frustration with Willis's behavior, while praising Morgan's commitment. Conversely, a talent representative characterized Smith's own directing style as disengaged, a claim Smith attributed to his use of marijuana during the shoot.
Upon its February 2010 release, the film earned $55.4 million worldwide against a $30 million budget. Critics were largely unimpressed, with many citing a stale script and poor pacing. The negative reception prompted a public feud between Smith and reviewers, including a sharp exchange with Roger Ebert on social media. Following Willis's 2022 retirement due to aphasia, Smith publicly apologized for his past criticisms of the actor, marking a final chapter in the contentious history of the production.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Cop Out (2010 film)
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/entertainment-cop-out-2010-film.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Films · More in Entertainment · Latest · A–Z · All topics
