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FIRST LOOK

First Look: Kevin Smith Starts Writing the 'Clerks III' Screenplay

by Alex Billington
March 8, 2013
Source: Facebook

It's happening. It's really, really happening. Though we've known for a few months that filmmaker-turned-media-empire Kevin Smith would be wrapping up his filmmaking career making Clerks III, it all has to actually come together before we sit down in a theater to see it. The first step, of course, is writing the script. On the 20th anniversary of the day filming started on Clerks, Smith wrote that "with no plan or provocation, I jumped out of bed at 4:20 this morning and started writing Clerks III." He posted this screenshot (found via SlashFilm) to his Facebook and Instagram accounts, showing that work truly is underway on the sequel.

His post states: "THE BEGINNING OF THE END. 20 years ago today, we started shooting Clerks. 20 years later, with no plan or provocation, I jumped out of bed at 4:20 this morning and started writing Clerks III. It's been like hanging out with old friends. And after 2 hours of tapping the keys and giggling, I have come to a conclusion... Clerks III will be the best film I'll ever make." That's quite a bold claim after one day of writing, but it may just turn out that way in the end. For anyone curious, he's using the program Final Draft, which is the industry standard. I know this isn't really a "first look", but it's the first step to making a movie.

Filed under Cool Stuff, First Look, Indies

From around the web:

Peter R

Sounds like a good movie...for me to poop on!
David Banner

4:20 you say?
Wooster66

Probably should have rented a bus for all the haters that are going to flock here now.
- Eduardo Ramos
  
  I guess that's my cue. Look, I'm not really a "hater" per se. I don't have any unfounded reason to dislike Kevin Smith. He actually seems like a very cool guy, his movies, on the other hand, I feel are (very) mediocre. While he does have a talent for raunchy, entertaining dialogue, he severly lacks in storytelling ability (i.e. the cause and effect of character's actions, motivations, etc.). I agree that there are numerous Kevin Smith haters with baseless reasons, but some of us have given him the opportunity to appeal to us and it just hasn't happened. He's not for everyone, I get it, but let's not pretend (even if you like him) he has some severe storytelling flaws. He's a very flawed filmmaker. Nevertheless, I wish him well and hope Clerks III is indeed an amazing movie.
  - Daniel
    
    He doesnt write stories; he writes characters. All of his movies are basically character-driven.
    - Eduardo Ramos
      
      Well his characters aren't very layered, if I may say so myself. There are some exceptions (i.e. Chasing Amy), but those are exceptions. I'm totally into character driven films and filmmakers (David Gordon Green, Wong Kar Wai, Mallick) but they usually are complex multilayered characters and even then, they usually DRIVE a somewhat engaging story just by how well written they are. I've never felt that way from Kevin Smith. My point is...if his story suffers...his characters usually do as well (Cop Out, Jersey Girl).
OfficialJab

I didn't think it was possible to be this happy.
grimjob

Clerks III. Bring it on my friend...
Uglyhooker

Haters gonna hate. Be bold and make your own films mr/mrs hater. Last 20 years (plus) then see where you stand. Until then SUCK IT! Can't wait to see this flick.
Lando

Im not going to sit here and say hes the greatest director since kubrick, BUT this news is actually exciting!! Clerks was great and clerks 2 was pretty funny,, Kevin smith is great at doing his own thing and thats all I want from a director, personal authenticity!!! and KSmith has that..cant wait to hear more..
Akirakorn

I just wanna whine at how "and after 2 hours of tapping the keys and giggling" equates to "one day of writing" to you. Sounds more like a couple hours of farting around, not an actual work day/period for a seasoned writer.