Q: You’re talking about Hit Somebody, right?

Yeah, yeah, that’s the one.

Q: Based on the Warren Zevon song co-written by Mitch Albom?

I just love that story so much. With Mitch and Warren, really all I can do is fail those two dudes. They did all the heavy lifting. They crafted a wonderful three-act story that just needs to be fleshed out a little more.

Q: As I recall, Warren’s song is about a guy who endures horrific physical abuse because he thinks it’ll lead to personal glory.

KS: Yeah, more or less. It’s essentially a story about somebody who wants so badly to play for the NHL but he’s shit at hockey. There’s nothing worse in the world than having the dream, the desire, the drive but having no talent whatsoever. It appeals to me because that’s how I see myself. All dream, no talent.

Oh come on, Kevin! You don’t really believe that, do you?

KS: Of course I do, man. And that’s why I love about Warren and Mitch’s song. It’s a heartbreaking story of somebody who’s single-minded of purpose but just doesn’t have the skills to pull it off. This was in the mid-to-late 70s, when it was easy for a guy to get into professional hockey. They’d started up the WHA, and suddenly you had two leagues competing for the same talent pool. Talent goes away quick and what you’re left with is a bunch of dudes who can’t really control a puck. But they can fucking hit you hard. They can play a physical intimidation game. There are people with their names on the Stanley Cup who were just thugs, fighters, and goons. But there’s something beautiful to that because they wanted to play in the NHL so badly that they would accept that role, the lowest role in the game. I like that kind of dedication and devotion.

Q: Do you feel like this might be the movie that finally breaks through for you and becomes a mainstream hit?

KS: I don’t think so, but who knows? I’ve gotten cynical. I want to call this flick a fable, but fables have never done well at the box office. Then again, I obviously don’t care about box office, so fuck it, I’m calling it a fable. It’s a hockey fable. (Laughs.) As long as you set the bar low for yourself, it’s easy to make your goals. And then you always feel like a champion. You’re like “I did it!” And people are like “Well, anybody could’ve done that.” And you’re like “I know, but I set the challenge for myself!”

Kevin reveals he recently toured the Red Wings’ Joe Louis Arena with Mitch Albom in early prep for the film. Niiice. This project is really starting to heat up. We predict BIG things. Those of you who follow Kev’s tweets and want to learn more about his remarks, such as the octopi, check this Wikipedia entry about the Wings, one of the first 6 teams in the NHL.