1981 UVA grad Director Tom Shadyac admitted to a Newcomb Hall audience Saturday night that he: a) didn’t choose Crozet out of love for his alma mater, b) can “almost promise” a Paramount premiere, and c) will indeed probably be director of the most expensive comedy ever made.

In an early October story, the L.A.Times reported that the film, Evan Almighty– sequel to the blockbuster Bruce Almighty– could end up costing $175 million. At Newcomb Hall, Shadyac first joked that he blames the film’s Central Virginia extras but then noted that the actual cost of the location shooting in Crozet was just $8 million.

“This movie will have the most animals shot in the history of show business,” said Shadyac, noting that animal filming and special effects work are still under way in California– and that keeping animals separate is expensive.

“The male bear will eat the raccoon, and the raccoon will eat the squirrels,” said Shadyac. “And this will eat our budget.”

The 10pm October 27 event was the world premiere of the trailer that was filmed earlier this year in locations including Crozet’s Old Trail Village development. Shadyac said Old Trail was chosen simply because it’s a controversial housing development abutting scenic parkland.

In a crowd heavily populated by the extras who participated in the Crozet shootings, Shadyac– who donated 400 bikes to his Virginia production crew– almost pulled another Oprah-style donation: “All you tonight… free bikes!”

After answering questions for about 30 minutes, Shadyac signed pieces of the giant ark that stood for several months at the foot of the Blue Ridge near Western Albemarle High School.

The picture is slated for release June 22, 2007.

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