– 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.

– That storyline about Dante and Randal shooting a movie about working at the Quick Stop is the plot of the “Clerks” CARTOON movie. It’s secure. The plot of “PotC” is something completely different.

– The flick does NOT employ the tone of the “Clerks” cartoon. It’s OG “Clerks” all the way.

– The flick’s in both black & white and color.

– Having not seen “South Park” since season two (unless you count the movie), I was unaware they did an episode called “The Passion of the Jew.” I don’t know how (or if) this info will affect our title.

– There will be no “reunions” or “crossovers” in the flick. Again – the only characters returning are Dante, Randal, Jay, and Bob.

Let me clear up a little confusion…

I’ll sign anything you bring to the store. However, you’ve gotta buy one or both of the new DVD’s from the STASH in order to get ANYTHING
signed that day.

So feel free to bring a truckload of shit for me to sign (within reason, of course; none of this multiple copies of the same thing, shit,
please); just know that you’ll be required to buy one (or both) of the new dvd’s from us to get that truckload of shit signed.

And come early. Based on all the calls, we’re getting the vibe that it’s gonna be crowded.

E! Online – “Clerks” Clocking in for More

“But the big question is whether Clerks fans view the The Passion as a noochie-no-no. Smith–who went on to make Mallrats, Chasing Amy, Dogma and, what was supposed to be the swan song for the whole “New Jersey Chronicles,” Jay and Silent Bob Strikes Back–certainly hopes not.

While we can’t pull off the $27,575 budget of the first, we’re gonna make it damned cheap,” he says. “When all’s said and done, God willing, this won’t be a Two Jakes, Texasville, or Jaws: The Revenge kinda follow up.”

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Houston Chronicle – Kevin Smith to mark ‘Clerks’ anniversary with sequel

(Text Same As AP Story previously published)

THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER – Smith clocks in ‘Clerks’ sequel

“The sequel was written for the stars of the original film, Brian O’Halloran and Jeff Anderson. Smith also will make an appearance with longtime sidekick Jason Mewes. The story follows the Quik Stop convenience store employees of the original “Clerks” 10 years later. Principal photography is set to begin in January.”

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CNN.COM – Ten years after original, Kevin Smith plans ‘Clerks’ sequel

(Text Same As AP Story Below)

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JOBLO.COM – Clerks 2 Is On!

“Both Brian O’Halloran (Dante) and Jeff Anderson (Randal) have already signed on for the sequel, with Smith’s alter-ego of Silent Bob and his stoner buddy Jay, returning as well. It will be interesting to see how Smith plays Jason Mewes’ real-life drug problems into the story-line. For anyone who thinks this is Smith’s way of making even more moolah, he insists that not to be true, estimating the new film’s budget to be somewhere between $250,000 and $5M (the original reportedly only cost him $27,000, part of which he raised by selling his comic book collection) This film would now be at the top of his “to do” list, as he continues to write the screenplay for THE GREEN HORNET, a film which he will likely not direct anymore.”

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FilmFodder.Com – Kevin Smith Preps Clerks Sequel

“Smith says his recent work on the “Clerks” 10th-anniversary DVD (coming out Sept. 7 under the title “Clerks X”), spurred his interest in reviving the characters. “The whole process reminded me why I got into the film business in the first place: to make talky, low-budget comedies,” Smith tells the Reporter. “So I wrote this script about the older and not-so wiser Dante and Randal, as they try to deal with a decade of further disillusionment, even less sex and eroding pop culture.”

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ETOnline.Com – The Clerks Are Back

“America’s favorite Quik Stop convenience store ‘Clerks’ are making their way back to the big screen. Filmmaker KEVIN SMITH will direct ‘The Passion of the Clerks,’ the sequel to his 1994 hit. Smith wrote the new script for the stars of the original and says it’s “about the older and not-so-wiser Dante and Randal, as they try to deal with a decade of further disillusionment, even less sex and eroding pop culture.” Meanwhile, ‘Clerks X,’ a three-disc 10th anniversary DVD set, is due out on September 7th.”

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Cinema Confidential – Kevin Smith planning “Clerks 2: The Passion of the Clerks”

“Remember how Kevin Smith said that “Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back” would be his last Jay and Silent Bob movie, but Ben Affleck said that he would never believe that in a million years? Affleck was right.

Smith said that Brian O’Halloran and Jeff Anderson, the two stars from the original movie, have given their thumbs up on the script. Smith will also make an appearance with longtime sidekick Jason Mewes. The story, reportedly, follows the Quik Stop convenience store employees of the original “Clerks” 10 years later. Principal photography is set to begin in January. Miramax Films will eventually distribute the picture. “

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Screen International – Indie icon Smith readies The Passion Of The Clerks

Ten years after he burst onto the US indie scene with Clerks, filmmaker Kevin Smith has decided to make a sequel to the now almost legendary no-budget comedy. Smith will direct The Passion Of The Clerks from his own screenplay, with principal photography set to begin next January and Miramax set to distribute.

Brian O’Halloran and Jeff Anderson, stars of the original film, will reprise their roles in a story that catches up with the employees of the Quik Stop convenience store 10 years down the line. Smith and Jason Mewes will make an appearance as Jay and Silent Bob.

Also reconvening from the first film will be producer Scott Mosier and cinematographer David Klein.

Originally made for $27,575 (though said to have cost $230,000 after post-production work), Clerks was a landmark in 1990s independent US cinema. It won the Filmmaker’s Trophy at Sundance in 1994 and the Prix de la Jeunesse and International Critics Week Award at Cannes.

The film went on to gross around $3.1m in US theatres. In 2000, Smith executive produced a short-lived animated TV series based on the film.

The filmmaker said the idea for the sequel came to him after working on the tenth anniversary DVD of Clerks. Miramax releases the three-disc set, Clerks X, on Sept 7. Smith’s latest film, Jersey Girl, is released on DVD on the same day.

He is currently writing a film version of comic book The Green Hornet for Miramax.

God – who still seems to be a fan of mine, and vice versa

Jenny – The proof that God’s still a fan. I love you so so much, my muse.

Scott – Love you too. You’re the James Brown of film, dude.

Mom – thanks for raising me right.

Harley – The original Jersey Girl

Gail and Byron – The Glue

Philbert – aka Mosier Jr.

Laura- she who makes it all happen.

Lehrman – an A.D. so good, he was practically the D.

Vilmos – The master of light

Ben – You were flat out brilliant

George – Funny, smart and a great actor. It’s just not fair.

Liv – My new favorite actress. You elevated Maya

Raquel – Kid, you’re a star.

Jen – who inspired Ben to greatness and while being great herself.

Root and Starr – the mid-life Jay and Silent Bob

Biggs – You’ve now lived down the pie.

Betty – the best teacher the kids could have.

Will – I love you all the way to the moon and back down to the dirt.

The Crew – The true filmmakers

Carol – for riding shotgun

Sue – For grace under pressure

Charlie – for our third act show stopper

Jon G. – Officially Miramax, unofficially View Askew. You’re the fourth Beatle, dude.

Harvey – for an excellent suggestion.

Phil – My deal-maker and friend.

Sloss – the legal eagle.

Mas – for support from day one.

Sondheim – for “Sweeney” in both our movie and real life.

The Boss – for lending us his art. Twice.

Stevie, Aimee, Ben and Pete – For flick-defining tunes.

Joey, Zack and Donald – For lots of Crystal Light, Baja fresh chicken and smoke runs.

Carol – who keeps me rolling in dough.

Ming – The architect.

Chappy – My merch partner in crime.

The city of Philadelphia – for being great hosts.

The town of Paulsboro – for the location and the street

The Town of Highlands – For giving a fat kid a nice place to grow up.

And the Tabloids – For nothing.

…What can I say about Jersey Girl? It’s a movie that I was very very fond of until it underperformed, and now I hate it. Sweet little movie, never got a chance because we had a really big albatross hanging around our neck in the form of, I’ll say it.. George Carlin… It wasn’t him. It is a movie that got checked on two fronts, I’d love to push all the credit off onto the Bennifer shit, but it really wasn’t just them. I read the reviews and a lot of people were like ‘this dude has no business making this fucking picture, it’s got too much heart and class.’ Ok, alright, duly noted. So this next thing I’m going to do is put out this home video we made of Jason Mewes fucking his ex-girlfriend. I’d love to see what BV Home Video puts together for that presentation.

So, please go out there and write about it. I’ve been whoring this thing on our website for the last year or two years, I don’t there’s much more ink to be had for our thing. But, if you feel the need, go out there and say shit about it, because I would love to move a few more. Clerks is one the only Miramax movies that I’ve been involved in, one of my only movies that is actually in profit, so I see back end on that. Jersey Girl, I don’t think I’ll ever see back end on that. It’s actually going to take a little while for it to get back into profit, but frankly I doubt if our company (Miramax) will exist in another year. Clerks I am in profit on. So basically when we came up with the idea to put out the tenth anniversary, it wasn’t because we were like feeling sentimental, and because the movie has survived for ten years, and still works and still plays, I was like ‘we’ll make more fucking money, let’s put it out on three discs, charge even more.’ Maybe I can finally retire from this fucking dog and pony show. So help me move a few more units. I don’t want to keep you guys any longer than you have to be here, because I know you’ve got food and drink and booze and I’d like to fucking go home now. Thanks for coming out, go pimp my shit please.