While Kevin Smith begs studios and ponders the thought of asking fans for money to make Red State, comic book artist turned toy warlord Todd McFarlane is headed in the opposite direction. The creator of the Spawn franchise was on hand at the New York Toy Fair promoting his new toy lines where he explained that the Spawn sequel is coming along, and could end up being independently produced (using his own money).“I’ve had the idea in my head for over 10 years,” McFarlane told Newsarama, “and I want to write, produce and direct it and just go, ‘ here it is.’”

While it would be nice to think it would go, let’s say, tomorrow, McFarlane is still working on the script.

“I’m 80% through the script, I did my due diligence, went around Hollywood,” McFarlane said, “…I listened to the pitch from all the big studios, but I just went, ‘nah, I need to make this small and tight and contained.’”

“And if we keep the budget small, they’ll allow me to do all of that,” he continues. “[But] if you blow up the budget…and I understand that. I wouldn’t hire me, either. But then I have to give it away.”

But unlike Mr. Smith, McFarlane could end up just financing it out of his cool millions.

“Another option is me just financing it myself,” McFarlane pointed out. “That way I can just … I own all of it.”

Kudos my friend! I would love to see a small, self-contained indie Span movie. What do you guys think?