Clerks Sequel confirmed

[jimmy no nose 0]

Kevin posted about the movie over at the View Askew board. It answers most of the general questions people have going in without giving away any of the story.

 

http://viewaskew.com/theboard/viewtopic.php?t=14125&start=0

- This isn't gonna be a cameo-heavy affair, a'la "Strike Back." The only returning characters are Dante and Randal, and Jay and Silent Bob.

 

- This isn't gonna be a star-studded affair. The biggest names in the cast are gonna be Brian O'Halloran, Jeff Anderson, and Jason Mewes.

 

- This isn't an "I'm not even supposed to be here today... AGAIN!"-heavy, wink-wink affair. We barely refer to the first flick (though I do love Lynch's proposed tagline of "They Still Don't Like You"; considering the tone of the script, an even more appropriate tagline would be "They Like You Even Less").

 

- Jay and Silent Bob have about as much screen time as they had in "Clerks." This is Dante and Randal's flick all the way.

 

- The title makes sense. Sure, there's a bit of cheekiness in there, but it's pretty appropriate, based on the material.

 

- This is the funniest thing I've ever written. It's also really poignant.

 

- We'll still be making a "Clerks" cartoon movie, separate of this.

 

- This is not a grab at the green. Saying so is kinda laughable, if you're privy to what I make per film now, vs. what I'll make for this film. Part of the idea about doing "Passion" is to strip away the trappings of success we've been enjoying for the last few years, in an effort to get to the raw and pure. None of us are making our usual salaries on this flick; we're all doing it favored-nations style, with deferments. If the flick does well, we'll get paid our full-freight on the back-end. If not, we did it for the love. But if I was "all about the green", I'd be gearing up for "Hornet" or "Fletch" instead. This one's about the passion; the passion of the "Clerks."

 

- Some of the key players from the "Clerks" saga who've already read the 143 page first draft: Mos, Jeff, Brian, John Pierson, Bob Hawk. Jay's reading the new, refined 119 page second draft this week. Once they were all on board, any doubt or hesitation I might've felt about monkeying with the original's legacy disappeared completely.

 

- This isn't about "Jersey Girl." While disappointed that we didn't do double the theatrical business we crawled to, I understand why what happened to that flick happened (considering how poorly "Gigli" did, I consider us kinda lucky that we got to 25m). If this is a reaction to anything, it's more of a reaction to "Green Hornet", and the trajectory my budgets have been taking lately. Before (and if) I direct "Hornet", I wanted to do something small and more me-like. While working on the "Clerks X" dvd, it became clear to me that "Passion" was the way to go.

 

- We almost did this flick three years ago, instead of "Strike Back." I'm glad we didn't, because I was able to say much more now than I would've then.

 

- There are gonna be lots of folks expressing disappointment or downright hostility with the idea of this movie. Let 'em vent. If it's all that bad, Xtian will just sweep it off the board. But the last thing I'm interested in is opinions on what I'm doing this early in the process, if at all. The beauty of making that first flick was being able to do it in a vacuum. Granted, I could've kept my mouth shut about it 'til we were done shooting; but with "Clerks X" coming out, it just felt right to share. Regardless - I don't want folks running here with reports of what's being said about the idea of this film at other boards. Don't waste your/my time with the braying of the jackasses. There's not even a movie to bray about yet. Once there is, if you still still feel the need to tell me what some random, knuckle-headed Talk Backer has to say about the finished product, then God bless. But until then, leave it in the locker room.

 

- Oh, who am I kidding? This flick makes me so happy, I'm not even bothered by the bitching (could still be even happier without it, though). I'm in love with this flick. If other folks aren't, I can't really say I'm concerned. I've read the script; they haven't. I have the benefit of insight into the flick beyond the title and the notion of it; they don't. The reaction is pretty much what I thought it'd be: a ton of positive, and minimal amount of bitching. Even if the equation was reversed, I'd still feel as good as I do now.

 

- At this point in my life, this flick makes absolute fucking sense.

 

- I can't wait to shoot it, and I can't wait 'til you all see it.

 

It seems like he's doing everything right so far with the movie. I would have liked to see a brief appearance by Jason Lee though. Not a big deal.

[Ravenbomb 0]

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy was called a trilogy, and that was more than 3 books

[kkktookmybabyaway 0]

This isn't sitting too well with me -- just leave Clerks alone and go do another movie that'll make $20 million...

[Guest The Winter Of My Discontent]

I'd give Kevin Smith all the credit in the world if he gives up the Fletch franchise. Give it to someone else, better yet, put it to sleep.

 

The only thing that irks me about all of this is that Smith always decrees "this is my best movie" "this is what I am all about" "I am not about the money" "this is the last time I'll do this" "I am maturing into dramatic movies" "I have a HUGE announcement that has never made me happier" "I'm no longer feeling the Green Hornet shit I had been building up and bragging about for months before actually announcing" "In 1999, Fletch will be the next movie I direct" "I will not make Fletch without Jason Lee"

 

Need I continue? He's so flakey and keeps chaning his mind...it boggles my mind that his fan base has stuck with him - he just never keeps his word and makes excuses whenever something doesn't turn out perfectly his way. Face it Kevin, unless you're doing dick and fart jokes, no one gives a shit what you have to say. So I guess bringing back Clerks is appropriate.

[Ravenbomb 0]

I don't really care, or pay attention to, any of his stuff outside the movies.

[Guest The Winter Of My Discontent]

It should be noted that I did thoroughly enjoy Clerks, Mallrats, Chasing Amy, and to a lesser degree, Dogma. They'll all have a special place in my heart. But I think most of that has to do with Jason lee fucking owning the universe. The premise of Clerks is nice, the banter is occasionally funny, but the acting is fucking atrocious (aside from Randall and Dante - they're both terrific). The more I think of it, this movie has the opportunity to be fucking great. I really liked the cartoon. How come I've done a complete 180 in mere hours? Who knows. I still think Kevin Smith needs to quit his big decisions and think everything out before announcing it. But yea, I have no interest in Green Hornet, nor do I want Fletch remade. So this is da bomb. Keep yoself busy, Kev.

[1234-5678 0]

I'd give Kevin Smith all the credit in the world if he gives up the Fletch franchise.  Give it to someone else, better yet, put it to sleep.

 

The only thing that irks me about all of this is that Smith always decrees "this is my best movie" "this is what I am all about" "I am not about the money" "this is the last time I'll do this" "I am maturing into dramatic movies" "I have a HUGE announcement that has never made me happier" "I'm no longer feeling the Green Hornet shit I had been building up and bragging about for months before actually announcing" "In 1999, Fletch will be the next movie I direct" "I will not make Fletch without Jason Lee"

 

Need I continue? He's so flakey and keeps chaning his mind...it boggles my mind that his fan base has stuck with him - he just never keeps his word and makes excuses whenever something doesn't turn out perfectly his way.  Face it Kevin, unless you're doing dick and fart jokes, no one gives a shit what you have to say.  So I guess bringing back Clerks is appropriate.

You know, for someone whose name on here used to be "Banky" I don't get your opinion at all. Bear in mind, I am drunk as i write this, but c'mon............

 

You're being "that guy" that he talked about in "Strikes Back", the guy behind the keyboard who bitches about everything, no matter what. I'm not trying to start any problems or anything, but the guy has provided hours of enjoyment. I've never seen "Jersey Girl" btw, lol.

 

The characters in "Clerks" were two of my favorite of all time, and that doesn't happen often. (Banky is to this day my favorite of all time) I would love to see what they are up to, how they may have matured, etc (And Randall fucking owns). In this era of completely shittily written, or CGI movies, why shouldn't he bring back something that was so good? The guy knows what he is doing people, even if he has tapered off lately, everyone who writes, paints, or sings, hits a bump here and there.

 

Just felt like ranting.............give the guy a shot, he's earned it.

[Jobber of the Week 0]

I saw Strikes Back and wound up leaving early, succumbing to the huge abuse of way too many pot jokes that I just didn't find funny. Which is kind of sad, because a lot of people seem to think these movies are good. Appearantly, even Conservative Brigade member kkk up there. =b

 

However, when I saw these guys on "I Love The 90s" together I figured they were gearing up to be doing something again.

[kkktookmybabyaway 0]

Oh bite me hippie. I even laughed at the "liberal media" comment in that film -- I finally bought Chasing Amy last week to complete my collection of that five movie "set" and got around to watching it last night.

 

And even if you hated "Strikes Back" you shouldn't have walked out of the theater; at least that movie had Eliza. Oh, wait. She's may be my goddess, but she's just another golden calf for you. Nevermind...

 

=p

[SuperJerk 0]

You're being "that guy" that he talked about in "Strikes Back", the guy behind the keyboard who bitches about everything, no matter what. I'm not trying to start any problems or anything, but the guy has provided hours of enjoyment. I've never seen "Jersey Girl" btw, lol.

You'd be well advised to keep it that way.

[SamoaRowe 0]

I haven't been this excited about an upcoming release in years! I don't think this is going to hurt the classic Clerks film one bit (not even the animated series ruined the original) and Smith is clearly passionate about this film and even more so about doing it right. I cannot wait, and I wish they'd hurry up and start filming

[Guest Snaffler]

The only thing I can think of that connected Dogma to the rest was the fact that at the end of Chasing Amy, J & SB were catching a bus to Illinois.

 

Yep, and the bus they caught led them directly to the events of Dogma. Smith wrote a comic book, the awesome Chasing Dogma, that covered what they got up to on the trip to Illinois. If I remember correctly, they visit the set of a porn movie directed by Dougie Howser and Jay jerks off a guy, and the scenes from JASBSB featuring the monkey were taken almost exactly word for word from the comic.

 

Smith making Clerks 2 is the best news I've had in a while, but I was shocked to see the amount of negativitiy from the talkbackers at AICN. Smith's being called a sell-out of all things for this, and I can't work out how making a low-budget sequel to an even lower budget movie constitutes selling out.

[SamoaRowe 0]

Smith making Clerks 2 is the best news I've had in a while, but I was shocked to see the amount of negativitiy from the talkbackers at AICN. Smith's being called a sell-out of all things for this, and I can't work out how making a low-budget sequel to an even lower budget movie constitutes selling out.

I agree that Smith hasn't sold out. My theory is that these people calling Smith a "sell-out" are under the impression that going back and doing another Clerks movie is Smith's way of keeping his reputation good after the response to Jersey Girl. I haven't seen Jersey Girl yet (and I'm anxiously waiting for the dvd release so I can) so I can't comment on that film's quality, but it doesn't matter to me. A Clerks sequel is most welcome

 

Besides, didn't Smith promise Jason Mewes another Jay and Silent Bob movie if Mewes could get himself clean?

[Guest The Winter Of My Discontent]

Jersey Girl wasn't selling out?

 

Clerks, while he may be passionate about it, is a cop out. Its easy to go back to something that EVERYONE loves. Its a safe bet for him. A challenge is to truly follow up Jay and Silent Bob without using them.

 

And being called Banky harkens back moreso to my earlier days. And I'll be honest, its a great character - unfortunately for Smith, its brilliance has more to do with the timing, delivery, and anger of Jason Lee.

 

And no, I wouldn't bitch about anything. I am just saying Kevin Smith has mislead his fans numerous times and tried to convince everyone that he is the greatest director ever. He made some great movies. But whenever things don't go great for him, he deflects the blame. He doesn't live up to his word. And really, could he have alienated his fan base anymore than putting JLo in his movie as a favour to Affleck? Its almsot as though his greediness came back and bit him ni the ass. It was all of his own doing. But really, I said Clerks 2 is fine with me, I'll watch it. I just think its pretty lazy and uncreative of him to do it. There are more directors and writers who deserve more credit for being ambitious. Most great artists don't emulate the past, they move forward. I guess he did it with Jersey Girl, its just the superfluous aspects (casting and shameless self promotition of own writing abilities) overshadowed it.

[Guest Snaffler]

Jersey Girl wasn't selling out?

 

Personally, I don't think it was. He wrote a story that was personal to him and whilst he may have shot the movie at a higher budget than any of his others ($35m for JG, next highest being JASBSB at $20m), by today's standards it wasn't a particularly high price. Its not like he switched studios and bagged himself a $10m a time, 10 movie contract, is it?

 

I would love someone to explain to me how making JG made Smith a sell out. I simply do not get it. I have a feeling that its the whinings of fan-boys who just detest when someone/something they like become mainstream. Whats that I hear? Oh, its just the cries of millions of nerds proclaiming "But I liked him before he was popular"

 

Clerks, while he may be passionate about it, is a cop out. Its easy to go back to something that EVERYONE loves. Its a safe bet for him. A challenge is to truly follow up Jay and Silent Bob without using them

 

Agreed, a new Clerks movie is definitely a safer bet for Smith than directing say, the Green Hornet movie. But last time I checked, there was a difference between a cop-out, and a sell-out. So which is it to be? Both?

 

Clerks 2 is fine with me, I'll watch it. I just think its pretty lazy and uncreative of him to do it

 

Of course, you're entitled to your opinion but come on, making a sequel to one of his better movies now makes him "Lazy and uncreative"?? Then I hope you're prepared to label Sam Raimi, Bryan Singer, Francis Coppola & George Lucas (To name but four) with the same, as they're all guilty of going back to the well.

 

On a final note, whilst I agree with little of what Banky posted, its good to see his thoughts expressed so eloquently, rather than the "FUCK KEVIN SMITH, HE'S A WANKER" attitude that seems to be prevailant around the net.

[Guest Askewniverse]

Between the announcement of a Clerks sequel and the upcoming release of the Clerks X DVD, I'm pretty psyched. It will be interesting to see what Smith has planned.

 

 

Smith making Clerks 2 is the best news I've had in a while, but I was shocked to see the amount of negativitiy from the talkbackers at AICN. Smith's being called a sell-out of all things for this, and I can't work out how making a low-budget sequel to an even lower budget movie constitutes selling out

I agree. I don't see how any person with half a mind can call Smith a "sell-out" for making a Clerks sequel.

 

I also don't get some of the bitching about this announcement. How can they (logically) bitch about something they haven't seen yet? The same "fan boys" complaing and/or calling Smith a "sell-out," will probably still be at the theater on opening night.

[Guest The Winter Of My Discontent]

[

Clerks 2 is fine with me, I'll watch it. I just think its pretty lazy and uncreative of him to do it

 

Of course, you're entitled to your opinion but come on, making a sequel to one of his better movies now makes him "Lazy and uncreative"?? Then I hope you're prepared to label Sam Raimi, Bryan Singer, Francis Coppola & George Lucas (To name but four) with the same, as they're all guilty of going back to the well.

 

On a final note, whilst I agree with little of what Banky posted, its good to see his thoughts expressed so eloquently, rather than the "FUCK KEVIN SMITH, HE'S A WANKER" attitude that seems to be prevailant around the net.

How many of those having recreated the same characters for an astounding 6 different movies? Have you heard of overkill? He's following the same plotline that has been followed in Clerks, Mallrats, Chasing Amy, and J&SBSB. They don't stay muddled in the same genre, they all have gone out and spread their wings.

 

And yes, George Lucas is on his 6th Star Wars movie, and we can all agree that the last 2 flicks have been utter failures.

 

I'd say Clerks is a selling out in the fact that he knows his fanbase would be interested in seeing a sequal. obviously they weren't very gung-ho about Jersey Girl, so this is both a safe bet and selling out his creative integrity.

 

But don't get me wrong, I am excited about this movie. I'll see it. I'm not even calling him a wanker. But I don't have much confidence in him to make anything outside of his little poop and fart joke box. And most sadly of all, I don't think Smith sees much of a future for himself outside of the Jay and Silent Bob genre. THUS, he is taking the easy route and the one where he knows he'll probably get the highest box office. That is unless he enlists Hollywood stars Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez to make cameos.

 

Haha

 

Jersey Girl wasn't selling out? He had the "it" couple in his fucking movie and had complete intentions of banking off of their mass popularity and media profile with his movie. It was the whole "Ben and Jen get married" on film with a huge "sike" she dies! in the middle. Thats not staying true to his original View Askew ideal. Not by a long shot.

[Boner Kawanger 0]

If I remember correctly, they visit the set of a porn movie directed by Dougie Howser and Jay jerks off a guy, and the scenes from JASBSB featuring the monkey were taken almost exactly word for word from the comic.

Disgusting humor and lazy writing pretty much define J&SBSB for me.

 

See, I'm in a fix. When Kevin Smith said he grew up, I was in the process of doing the same. I was a huge, huge fan four years ago. I watched most of his movies over the summer for the first time in a year.

 

And I hated them.

 

Mallrats, unless you have the commentary on, is just so awkward and unfunny. Chasing Amy works for awhile, then it sputters, and it hits a brick wall at the end. Well, the ending was fine until Smith ruined it with J&SBSB, which I know our own Banky hated. I watched Dogma on Comedy Central, and if you watch that movie on TV, it really exposes it as weak. The cursing does little to add to it, and without it, the movie almost has nothing. And J&SBSB is one of the worst comedies I've ever seen. Some things that didn't make it into the film make me worry about Smith. What kind of writer (who had a toddler at the time) writes a scene where Daphne and Velma go down on Scooby-Doo? Or in Mallrats, watch the commentary and an almost-bitter Smith rants about how a scene where Jay and Bob cum in someone's hair was cut out.

 

I really hope Clerks 2 works, because it might be the only thing to save Smith in my eyes.

[UseTheSledgehammerUh 0]

Quote:

 

"And yes, George Lucas is on his 6th Star Wars movie, and we can all agree that the last 2 flicks have been utter failures."

 

Um, I don't agree with that. Failures? Are you insane? Do you know how much money they've made?

 

"Bad" yes..."Failures", no...they're among the most seen movies of all time.

[UseTheSledgehammerUh 0]

"Mallrats, unless you have the commentary on, is just so awkward and unfunny."

 

I disagree, along with millions who have purchased the DVD and VHS.

 

"Chasing Amy works for awhile, then it sputters, and it hits a brick wall at the end. Well, the ending was fine until Smith ruined it with J&SBSB, which I know our own Banky hated."

 

I think the J & SB characters actually work best in Clerks & Amy, because they portray what Clerks intended them to be: Local garbage. I also find the movie to be very good, probably my favorite of the 5.

 

"I watched Dogma on Comedy Central, and if you watch that movie on TV, it really exposes it as weak."

 

Who critiques a blatantly curse-heavy movie that's on television with edits and commercials?

 

"And J&SBSB is one of the worst comedies I've ever seen."

 

I thought it sucked, too. I liked the tributes to all the characters, though.

 

"What kind of writer (who had a toddler at the time) writes a scene where Daphne and Velma go down on Scooby-Doo?"

 

That would have actually been funny.

 

"Or in Mallrats, watch the commentary and an almost-bitter Smith rants about how a scene where Jay and Bob cum in someone's hair was cut out."

 

Hahahahahahaha.

[bobobrazil1984 0]

jay and silent bob is one of the most generic yawn-fest comedies I've ever seen. I'm still befuddled as to why people seem to love it yet hate other similar comedies.

[Lt. Al Giardello 0]

Will it be in B&W or Color?

[jimmy no nose 0]

Kevin said on his message board that it's in black and white and in color. I don't have any idea on how he plans to use it.

[Guest The Winter Of My Discontent]

Quote:

 

"And yes, George Lucas is on his 6th Star Wars movie, and we can all agree that the last 2 flicks have been utter failures."

 

Um, I don't agree with that. Failures? Are you insane? Do you know how much money they've made?

 

"Bad" yes..."Failures", no...they're among the most seen movies of all time.

They haven't netted nearly as much cash as Lucas had planned. They haven't turned the world upside down as he had planned. They've ruined the legacy of Star Wars. Those two clunkers have dejected many in the fanbase.

[Boner Kawanger 0]

"Mallrats, unless you have the commentary on, is just so awkward and unfunny."

 

I disagree, along with millions who have purchased the DVD and VHS.

 

-That's great, I purcahsed the DVD, too (obviously). Everyone I talk to now agrees that it comes off as awkward, however. I used to love this movie, so this breaks my heart.

 

"I watched Dogma on Comedy Central, and if you watch that movie on TV, it really exposes it as weak."

 

Who critiques a blatantly curse-heavy movie that's on television with edits and commercials?

 

-Yeah, I agree with you. I knew when I typed that it would look bad. Let me put it this way...I thought Dogma had a great story with an unnecessary need for all the "fucks" and "shits" and "dick and fart jokes", which as we all know, are touted as Smith's strong points. Watching them on TV, without all the "fucks" and "shits" and (most) "dick and fart jokes", it exposes the movie as a weak, foul-mouthed excursion disguised as a good movie. I hate to say it, but no matter how many times Kevin Smith calls it a "personal" movie he just had to make (which he seems to say alot), in the hands of another writer, it could have been something special.

[kkktookmybabyaway 0]

Mallrats, unless you have the commentary on, is just so awkward and unfunny.

Ha. That was my favorite movie out of the five -- I think that was because I worked many jobs at a mall and could related to all the stereotypes that were present in there.

 

Chasing Amy works for awhile, then it sputters, and it hits a brick wall at the end.

 

Agreed. I loved the Hopper X character (or whatever he was called), too...

[Boner Kawanger 0]

Mallrats, unless you have the commentary on, is just so awkward and unfunny.

Ha. That was my favorite movie out of the five -- I think that was because I worked many jobs at a mall and could related to all the stereotypes that were present in there.

Good point, I see the stereotypes, too. The people playing the stereotypes are just so awkward (or stoned in some cases) that i really takes away from it. That's why I'm hlafway excited about Clerks 2. O'Halloran and Anderson could handle Smith's near-pretentious dialogue.