Future Films

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Back in 1997, just as “Pulp Fiction” and “Clerks” had proven that a movie loving geek could become a huge power player just like that, everyone one was frantically looking for the next indy genius, the very latest Quentin Tarantino. Miramax thought they found him in the form of an LA bartender named Troy Duffy.

Duffy had written a script about two Irish brothers, living in Boston, who set out on a god sent purification mission. Of course, everyone under the age of 70 has a screenplay ready to make millions for its author, but his, called “The Boondock Saints”, somehow feel into Miramax boss Harvey Weinstein’s lap. Harvey buys the script for $300k, allows Duffy a $15M budget to direct, and even buys the bar Duffy works at as a gift. The guy even pulls strings to get Duffy’s garage band a contract with Maverick Records (Madonna’s company). Duffy knows he’s now a big shot, and hires two buddies to document his ‘unprecedented rise to fame’.

Aside from the documentary, there is no real source of information regarding what exactly happened right then and there, aside from a lot of rumours and negative opinions. But what is known and certain is that the honeymoon between Weinstein and Duffy was VERY short-lived. The producer put the project in the dreaded “Turnaround” state (meaning its dead in the water), Maverick pulls out of the record, and Duffy’s reputation is quickly tarnished. Filmmakers Mark Smith and Brian Montana display in their film how Duffy, understandably proud of himself, manages to oversize his ego to the point of dissing Weinstein, alienating anyone interested in participating in the film (‘Who’s that idiot’ he asks about Jerry Bruckheimer), and even his friends and family. The sad thing is, the guy thinks everyone is just afraid of his power as new movie mogul. He’s the best thing that ever happenend to Hollywood, it seems, and people want to put him down.

Fascination towards such a character isn’t uncommon, more so if the guy repeatedly nails his own coffin. It’s both sad to see someone take himself so seriously without anything to show for, and infuriating for anyone else who’s ever dreamed of being approached by Miramax. Kevin Smith was dismissed twice by Harvey before someone convinced him to watch Clerks. Troy had him locked with just a screenplay.

After shopping around an unreceptive Hollywood, Duffy was given a chance by controversial producer Elie Samaha. The utlra-violent “Boondock Saints”, now with a budget close to $6M and none of the mega-star previously interested, was presented at Sundance, but no one would buy it, especially so soon after the Columbine shootings. Duffy himself paid to get it in a handful of theatres, generating revenues of $35k. The subsequent DVD release didn’t generate much more revenues, but managed to cultivate a certain cult following.

Upon the DVD release, Duffy said in an interview with Attrition that his career was alive and well, being courted by other studios and organizations.

“I sold a "pitch", two actually. One is called the "Peregrines" and the other is called the ‘Retirement Plan’,” said Duffy. “The first is about a couple guys with the ability to create mass hysteria by mass hypnosis. The second is about two old guys and two young guys that knock over a bank together.”

Nothing ever came of those, and even the long-rumoured sequel to “Boondock Saints” is yet to be confirmed. Not much else is known on what the man became since. .”Overnight” ends with his band mates returning to blue-collar jobs, while his bar ‘J.Sloans’ is torn down.

It doesn’t mean that Troy Duffy won’t be back. But from the looks of it, he has a long way to go to win back some respect inside the industry.

To learn a little more about Troy, or keep updated on his career status, have a look at his Official Site.

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