Wal-Mart Asks for Zack and Miri Title Change

[Brian Damage]

Kevin Smith's use of a mildly naughty word keeps earning him the free publicity he was probably aiming for: The indie auteur says Wal-Mart has asked him to drop "porno" from Zack and Miri Make a Porno's title on boxes of the DVD sold at the retail chain.

"I'm just so shocked that the word 'porno' meant that much to people in terms of, like, they found it insanely offensive and don't want to see it on display," Smith said in an interview with The Canadian Press.

He says Wal-Mart's attempts to shield customers from anything offensive might backfire, because they might not grasp the movie's plot without the title.

"Some Wal-Mart-er could buy it and think: 'Oh, Zack and Miri, looks lovely,' and pop it in and there's ... some pretty graphic stuff," said Smith, who also directed Clerks, Chasing Amy, and Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back. "I mean, at least with the word 'porno' in the title, you can kind of give people a warning about what they're in for."

In the fall, the film ran ads featuring stick-figure illustrations of stars Seth Rogen and Elizabeth Banks because the original posters were too risqué.

Wal-Mart representatives didn't return a call for comment.

http://movies.tvguide.com/Movie-News/Kevin-Smith-Wal-1002296.aspx

[browneyes106]

Wal-Mart has done this type of stuff with in the past with music releases and they have history of complaining about songs on albums that can be offensive. The word porno isn't really offensive compared to other words. I really don't care to buy DVD's or CDs at the Wal-Mart stores in my areas because usually they never have great selections.

[TJL]

If Wal Mart was so afraid thier customers would be offended, they wouldn't sell the product.
But no, heaven forbid they turn down a chance to make a buck.
Instead, you change the name of your album/movie/etc.
That's not very inconvientient or expensive, right?

;)

[catlover79]

Wal-Mart has done this type of stuff with in the past with music releases and they have history of complaining about songs on albums that can be offensive. The word porno isn't really offensive compared to other words. I really don't care to buy DVD's or CDs at the Wal-Mart stores in my areas because usually they never have great selections.
They used to have a really good selection - they haven't in the past 4 years or so. :(

[HuntingtonM15]

That's ridiculous. I hate their constant need to edit everything.

[Jude The Obscure]

Kinda hypocritical of them? The same place that sells guns, tobacco, alcohol, but just have something associated with sex.......OMG, we can't sell that--we're family friendly.... :barf:

[ekkostar]

These guys can sport exclusive releases of Miley Cyrus' stuff and continue even after she comes under fire for a racist photo, but the word "porn" turns up and OH NO!
I have no interest in the movie but I do like Kevin Smith and hope he and the art department come up with something cleaver to cover up but still keep "Porno" in the title of the Wal-Mart package. :)