Kevin Smith is teasing the return ofClerks: The Animated Series, revealing in a recent update on the project that he’s planning to begin the pitching process for a reboot. In the year 2000, ABC aired just two episodes of the cult classic cartoon series before yanking it off the air, ending the show’s first and only season prematurely. All six episodes of the animated series were later released on DVD with great fanfare, and the cartoon has only grown in popularity in subsequent years. Now, after twenty years, it appears we’re closer than ever to seeing new episodes ofClerks: The Animated Seriesfinally happen.
Speaking with Chris Killian of ComicBook.com in a new interview this week,Kevin Smithtouched on the current state of the entertainment industry, noting how networks and streaming services are in need of new content. “Right now, animation is the business to be in,” Smith says, as live-action productions have been shut down across the board. This makes the timing even more perfect for Smith to pitch aClerks: The Animated Seriesrevival, as animated shows can still be worked on at home. “So that’s one of the reasons we’re gonna attempt to go pitch rebooting theClerkscartoon, man,” Smith notes in the interview. “We got all the designs done. We just… start making new episodes. Let’s do it!”
Smith has previously teased a return ofClerks: The Animated Series, and this includes an interesting announcement from the filmmaker posted on social media last year. In the post, Smith says theView Askew teamfelt “vindicated” when a joke from the cartoon show’s pilot was later reused for a gag on an episode ofArrested Development. “But not as vindicated as we’d all feel if the show came back to life for its 20th anniversary next year,” Smith curiously added, teasing a potential return this year. Now that we’re weeks away from the 20th anniversary of the day ABC first aired the series, it appears Smith is moving forward with his plans to bring the show back.
In addition to the cartoon series, Smith is also planning to revisit thelive-action pairing of Dante and Randalas well. While staying at home in recent weeks, Smith has been working on the screenplays for new sequels he’s been looking to make for years. After recently wrapping up the screenplay forTwilight of the Mallrats, Smith says he is also working on the script for a thirdClerksmovie. In 2019, Smith revealed thatClerksstar Jeff Anderson was finally on board to reprise his role as Randal Graves after years of refusing to do the sequel, finally opening the door for Smith to move forward on makingClerks 3a reality.
With Smith and company on board and as the timing couldn’t be any better with the 20th anniversary ofClerks: The Animated Seriesfast approaching, it appears we’re getting very close to finally getting some new episodes. If the project comes to fruition, hopefully its second run will last a bit longer than six episodes this time. Smith’s words quoted above come from an interview withComicBook.com, and you may watch the complete interview in the Instagram post below.
