David Fincher Takes 'The Goon' To Kickstarter, Asks "Does Hollywood Know Better Than You?"

For the past few years we've watched as producer David Fincher, cartoonist Eric Powell, and Blur Animation Studio have worked to make an animated feature film based on Powell's comic The Goon. The comic is a foul, funny, zombie ass-kickin' thing that is worth a read, and deserves a place up on the silver screen a hell of a lot more than another damned Ice Age movie.

So Fincher and Blur have gone to Kickstarter to raise a few hundred grand to pay for the next stage(s) of development. That would be a featfure-length story reel to show people how the film will play.

Begging for money isn't easy, but Fincher and Blur make it look like fun, at least. They've got a great pitch reel that will help kill off any image you have of Fincher as a dour guy, and it also has some new Goon animation featuring the voice of Paul Giamatti (still attached! as is Clancy Brown, to voice the Goon) as glib motormouth Franky. Check it out below.

Here's the pitch video, from the Kickstarter page. It opens with animation familiar to anyone who has been following along with the development of the film, but quickly gets to the new (and funny!) stuff:

The filmmakers say:

You might be asking yourself, "I've seen footage of The Goon animated film online... why do they need money? Isn't it already being made?

The answer to that question is NO. The Goon Film has NEVER been in production. All the work you've seen (animation footage, trailers, artwork, etc.) has been produced independently and out-of-pocket by the creative team of David Fincher, Eric Powell, Blur Studio and Dark Horse Entertainment. We created "proof of concept" footage to show Hollywood the incredible potential of a Goon movie. It was very well received BUT because this movie isn't a sequel or filled with dancing animals we'll need more to bust open the gates and UNLEASH Goon and Franky on Hollywood. And by the freakishly barbarian strength of Aunt Kizzie, we'll find a way to succeed!

This is where YOU come in.

The next step of our plan is to begin the filmmaking process by producing afeature length STORY REEL based on Eric Powell's amazing script. (a story reel is a rough edit of storyboards combined with music and sound effects) This will give Hollywood a complete look at the Goon film's potential... from his early life in the carnival to busting heads in the mysterious town with no name. We all know the Goon's incredible story, the over-the-top action, hilarious comedy and genuine heart, but now it's time for Hollywood to experience it as well.

This is the video that has been floating around for a while: