It has been nearly two years since we’ve last heard an update regarding Kevin Smith’s long-awaited Clerks III, and now Lionsgate has announced that they have successfully acquired the worldwide distribution rights to the long-in-development third installment of Smith’s 90s cult classic comedy Clerks. The project is currently in pre-production but is expected to start filming next month in New Jersey.
“The Clerks movies are audience favorites and many of Kevin’s films, like Dogma, Red State, and the Jay and Silent Bob Reboot are a beloved part of our library that continues to delight Kevin’s devoted fans. We’re thrilled to be presenting the next chapter in the Clerks saga to moviegoers worldwide,” executive vice president for Lionsgate’s Acquisitions and Co-Productions, Eda Kowan said.
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In Clerks 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.
“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!,” Smith said in a statement. “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.”
The comedy sequel also sees the return of all of its major cast members including Jeff Anderson as Randal, Brian O’Halloran as Dante, Jay Mewes as Jay, Smith as Silent Bob, and Rosario Dawson as Becky.
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Clerks III will once again be directed by Smith from a screenplay he wrote. It will be produced by Liz Destro and Jordan Monsanto.
Since its debut in 1994, Clerks was an instant hit and had received positive reviews from critics and audiences alike. It was actually the film that launched Smith’s filmmaking career, who went on to direct a number of comedy hits such as Mallrats, Chasing Amy, Jay and Silent Bob films, and more.
