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SALT LAKE CITY — A Kickstarter project aiming to fund the making of a "Veronica Mars" movie has raised more than $1.5 million since it was created less than a day ago.
Writer Rob Thomas — not of Matchbox Twenty fame — and actress Kristen Bell launched the Kickstarter project Wednesday morning with the goal of raising $2 million* for a low-budget film based on the adventures of Veronica Mars, a brainy teen who solved mysteries in her hometown, Neptune, Calif.
The show ran for two seasons on UPN and a single season on the CW before being canceled in 2007. At the time of its cancellation, it had a small but loyal following of fans who have apparently come out of the woodwork in a big way at the prospect of a feature-length movie.
The project reached $1 million in four hours, making it the fastest Kickstarter project in history to reach the number. The previous record was eight hours, set by the OUYA console.
Thomas said he has worked hard in the past not to make any promises about a forthcoming film — although he has made optimistic comments about the film's potential. He says Warner Bros. wasn't convinced there was enough support to merit a movie, but the company agreed that if a Kickstarter project could raise $2 million in a month, the studio would allow the film to move forward.
By Wednesday evening, the goal was all but guaranteed to be reached within not only a month, but a single day.
"Keep in mind that the more money we raise, the cooler movie we can make," Thomas said. "A $2 dollar fundraising total probably means cross words are exchanged at the class reunion. Three million? We can afford a full-on brawl. Ten million? Who knows."
Bell added to Thomas' comments, promising to make the "sluthiest, snarkiest" movie possible.
"I promise to give it my all. I promise to work my hardest to give everyone a little bit more Veronica, and I will be oh so honored to do so," she said.
More than 23,000 people had contributed to the fund as of Wednesday afternoon. The campaign ends April 12.
*ksl.com has not verified the accuracy of the information provided with respect to the account nor does ksl.com assure that the monies deposited to the account will be applied for the benefit of the persons named as beneficiaries. If you are considering a deposit to the account you should consult your own advisors and otherwise proceed at your own risk.
