Kevin Smith secures financing for CLERKS III

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According to writer/director Kevin Smith, all of the ‘View Askewverse’ fans out there can thank his new horror flick TUSK for helping to secure financing for CLERKS III. Yes, you read that right — the Quick Stop is reopening for business. Smith made the announcement during the latest episode of his podcast show, HOLLYWOOD BABBLE-ON (credit to /Film for the source):

TUSK was the absolute bridge to CLERKS III. Because of TUSK, I got my financing for CLERKS III. A year and change ago, I was desperately trying to get CLERKS III made for the 20th anniversary… I must have reeked of [desperation], because I couldn’t f–king find money and s–t. But it was TUSK, with people going ‘Holy f–k, what else do you have?’ I was like, ‘CLERKS III!’ and they’re like, ‘Done!’ Everybody that’s like, ‘He failed, he failed!’ I’m like, ‘Thank you, I failed into CLERKS III!’

CLERKS released in 1994 with a measily budget and a lot of critical acclaim. The film followed Quick Stop clerks Dante Hicks (Brian O’Halloran) and Randall Graves (Jeff Anderson) as they slacked around their job, challenging each other with witty dialogue revolving around STAR WARS and porn jokes. The film was also the first appearance of Jason Mewes and Smith’s beloved stoner characters, Jay and Silent Bob.

While CLERKS followed Dante and Randall during their 20s, 2006’s CLERKS II followed their life during their 30s. Realizing that they had really done nothing with their life throughout an entire decade, the two worked hard to accomplish their dreams by the end of the film — and end which could easily continue into CLERKS III and Dante and Randall’s 40s.

While no casting has been announced, one can assume that both O’Halloran and Anderson — as well as Mewes and Smith — will return to cap off the final chapter in the ‘View Askewverse’. Since this will most-likely be the absolute final film in Smith’s long-running franchise, it’ll be interesting to see which other ‘View Askewverse’ mainstays (I’m crossing my fingers for Jason Lee’s Banky and Ben Affleck’s Holden) will return for a final farewell.

About the author

NINJA | Ken loves comics, video games, and film -- especially creature features and giant monster flicks. When he's not stalking the shadows as part of the Ninja Clan, he spends his time obsessively collecting ThunderCats, King Kong, and Pacific Rim memorabilia.