CouldMallratsbe the nextKevin Smithmovie to get a sequel? As it stands, we are days away from the theatrical release ofClerks III, the new film that reunites the cast of the filmmaker’s very first movie. It marks the latest installment of the cinematic universe, dubbed the “View Askewniverse,” that was launched with the firstClerksin 1994.
Many longtime fans of Smith also have a fond appreciation forMallrats, the second feature film released by the filmmaker that hit theaters in 1995. The movie brought back Smith and Jason Mewes as Silent Bob and Jay, also marking the second of the duo’s many films. The movie also stars Shannen Doherty, Jeremy London, Jason Lee, and Claire Forlani, also featuring names like Ben Affleck, Ethan Suplee, and Michael Rooker.
The film was never given a direct sequel, though some of its characters have appeared elsewhere in the View Askewniverse. Smith has teased aMallratssequel happening at different points, and in 2020, the project seemed to be making some good traction according to Smith. Speaking withEntertainment Weekly, Smith said he was planning to get the sequel made, dubbing the filmTwilight of the Mallrats, with all of the main stars of the original cast returning.
“Looks like we’re heading toward it now in 2021, which is very exciting for us,” Smith said at the time, revealing some ideas he had for the plot. “It takes place 25 years after the original and features the entire cast, [and] a new cast of characters as well. It’s about Brodie and his daughter and the death of the mall. The Brodie that we met inMallratshas only been proven right in life. The world came around to his way of thinking. So, based on that, Brodie never really had to grow up and now, at this juncture in time, we face the moment when he might actually have to become an adult.”
Related:Every Jay and Silent Bob Movie, Ranked
Will Twilight of the Mallrats Ever Happen?
Despite Smith’s optimism,Twilight of the Mallratshas yet to be greenlit and officially put into production. In a new interview withTHR, Smith provides an update on the sequel, stating that he still hopes to get it made. At this point, he’s thinking that the potential success ofClerks IIIcould lead toTwilight of the Mallratsgetting the funding it needs to be made as well. From the THR interview:
“We’re hoping to God thatClerksIIIis the Kaopectate or the Pepto Bismol, if you will, that loosens up theMallratsbowels, and suddenly, that sh*t starts flowing. I know the good folks at Lionsgate and our producers, Liz [Destro] and Jordan [Monsanto], have been having conversations to attempt to make that happen. It’s a Universal project, so Universal ownsMallratseven though they tend to forget they do. Whenever I bring it up, I’m like, ‘I want to makeMallrats,’ and they’re always like, ‘Go ahead.’ And I’m like, ‘Yeah, but you guys own it.’ And they’re like, ‘We do?’ Since the movie is neither fast nor furious, it’s not really a movie that they pay much attention to, butClerks IIImight make things a little bit easier… I still hold out hope, but I don’t think you’ve seen the last of Brodie Bruce.”
Clerks IIIwill be released in theaters via Fathom Events from Sept. 13-18, 2022.
