Kevin Smith is in the final touches of post-production on Clerks 3, the second sequel to his most popular and influential film. He has shared a post on the editing process, with grainy black and white stills that harken back to the original movie.
Lionsgate's Clerks 3 centers around Dante and Randall making a movie about their time at the Quick Stop. This is not the first time Smith has tried to make Clerks 3, as he's tried repeatedly to get the project off the ground since 2012. But other factors kept on getting in the way, including the reluctance of lead actor Jeff Anderson. It wasn't until the final script when Anderson agreed to sign on, appreciating the new film's message about how it's never too late to change your life.
In a post on his official Instagram account, Smith said of the new photos, "The images on screen may look like they’re from Clerks, but they’re actually incredible recreations of the past as seen in Clerks III!" He is also very proud of the new film, claiming it has already surpassed his expectations. "I love Clerks III so much. It’s way better than the movie I thought I was gonna make!" The new film is also very autobiographical towards Smith's life, as it's focusing on Randall Graves after surviving a heart attack, something Smith almost died from in 2018.
Clerks 3 will be the eighth entry in Smith's "View Askewniverse," following the initial 1994 to 2006 run of Clerks, Mallrats, Chasing Amy, Dogma, Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, and Clerks II. The franchise finally restarted in 2019, with the aptly titled Jay and Silent Bob Reboot. The series remains highly influential, featuring a proto-Marvel cinematic universe of connected characters and laying the groundwork for irreverent geek humor that projects like Family Guy and Spaced would later refine.
Now is a good time for a new Clerks movie. Smith has a rare talent of creating snappy dialogue and colorful characters that all add up to some of the most memorable hangout films in the past few decades. And considering the success of another recent comedy sequel, Bill & Ted Face the Music, it's possible that the continuing adventures of Dante and Randall will be even more endearing now.
Perhaps one more stab at Clerks, in the convenience store that started it all, is something fans could all use. Audiences will find out when we return to the Quick Stop
Clerks III will be released later in 2022.
Source: @thatkevinsmith/Instagram