15 years afterClerks IIshocked the world by being “good, actually,” writer-directorKevin Smithis finally moving ahead withClerks III, which will start production next month after being acquired by Lionsgate.
Smith will direct from his own screenplay, whileLiz DestroandJordan Monsantowill produce the long-gestating sequel, which is currently in pre-production in New Jersey. All major cast members are set to reprise their roles, includingBrian O’Halloranas Dante,Jeff Andersonas Randal andRosario Dawsonas Becky, whileJay Mewesand Smith will once again play Jay and Silent Bob.
InClerks III, following a massive heart attack, Randal enlists fellow clerks Dante, Elias, Jay, and Silent Bob to make a movie immortalizing his life at the convenience store that started it all. The logline seems to indicate thatTrevor Fehrmanwill return asClerks IIscene-stealer Elias.
RELATED:Watch: Kevin Smith Joins Collider Movie Club to Explore the Past, Present and Future of ‘Mallrats’
“There’s a saying from the Tao that goes something like ‘To be great is to go on. To go on is to go far. To go far is to return.’ Thanks to Lionsgate, we get to return to where it all started with almost the whole cast that started it all! And for the first time since the first time we ever made a movie in 1993, we’re shooting the entire flick on location in New Jersey, as an ode to both the enduring allure of cinema and the resourcefulness and lunacy of its storytellers. Years ago, Dante and Randal made me a filmmaker – so now it’s time I return the favor," Smith said in a statement.
“TheClerksmovies are audience favorites and many of Kevin’s films, likeDogma,Red State, and theJay and Silent Bob Rebootare a beloved part of our library that continues to delight Kevin’s devoted fans. We’re thrilled to be presenting the next chapter in theClerkssaga to moviegoers worldwide, added Lionsgate’sEda Kowan, who will oversee the film for the studio.
I’m a huge fan of theClerksmovies and Smith’s work in general, so I’m pumped for this sequel, even if it is coming 10 years too late. Then again, perhaps the extra time allowed Smith to hone the script and really figure out what he wants to say with this trilogy. The original is a cult classic that has withstood the test of time, and I can’t wait to see how Smith decides to wrap things up.
Up next for the foul-mouthed filmmaker is the animated Netflix seriesMasters of the Universe: Revelation, which I expect will be a bit more kid-friendly than his usual output. That series will premiere July 23 on the streaming giant.
KEEP READING:‘Masters of the Universe’: Kevin Smith Emotionally Reveals Bear McCreary’s Epic Score for Netflix Animated Show
