Production Begins Next Month On 'Clerks III'

DEADLINE- Lionsgate has acquired worldwide rights to Kevin Smith’s Clerks III, which is currently in pre-production in New Jersey and will begin production next month.

Smith has written the screenplay and will direct, with all major cast members set to reprise their roles: Jeff Anderson as Randal, Brian O’Halloran as Dante, Jay Mewes as Jay, Smith as Silent Bob, and Rosario Dawson as Becky. The film will be produced by Liz Destro and Jordan Monsanto.

GREAT NEWS for Kevin Smith fans everywhere outta Deadline today! 

After his last few movies (which I've loved) have seen limited releases/tours, a massive studio like Lionsgate picking up 'Clerks III' likely means this one is getting a worldwide release - and Jeff Anderson agreeing to come back as Randal after SWEARING he was done acting is HUUUUGE! 

There really couldn't be a 'Clerks' without Dante AND Randal, and this one actually sounds more Randal-focused than the original OR sequel! 

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.

Obviously, 'Clerks III' will pull plenty from Kevin Smith's real life based on that description, and as Barstool's resident View Askewniverse superfan - I couldn't be more excited to check back in with all of these characters at the Quick Stop. 

'Clerks' and 'Clerks II' are some all-time comedies in my mind, and while this one certainly has a high bar to hit to live up to them, I don't doubt Kevin Smith being able to close out the trilogy in proper fashion.

P.S. Kevin Smith recently bought the RST Video Store next to the Quick Stop and turned it into a live podcasting studio….

Pretty fucking awesome.