Now that filming has wrapped on the latest installment in Kevin Smith’s signature Clerks franchise, fans across the world await to see who will return for this newest, third entry. With a cast of characters that spans multiple film entries across the connected “View Askewniverse,” there are many favorites that fans hope to see make a return.
While the principal cast has already been released, there are still many characters yet to be revealed. With a plot revolving around Quick Stop’s crew filming a movie based on their lives at the iconic convenience store, this opens up many opportunities to delve into the history of Kevin Smith’s New Jersey-based cinematic universe, and bring back some fan-favorite characters, in-jokes, and references along the way.
10 Confirmed: Marilyn Ghigliotti As Veronica Loughran
Returning for the first time since the original Clerks (sans a brief cameo as herself in Jay and Silent Bob Reboot), Dante’s original girlfriend is back. What this means for the events of the film is yet to be revealed, however, it is a tantalizing prospect that fans are no doubt extremely excited about.
With Dante being together with Becky at the end of Clerks II, the return of an ex-girlfriend as important to his life as Veronica has the possibility of bringing things full-circle. Could viewers be seeing a repeat of the Veronica/Caitlin scenario from the first movie, but with Veronica in the role of the returning flame? Becky may not have the shadow of “37” looming over her, but as Silent Bob once said: “not all women bring you lasagne at work.”
9 Need To Be: The Comic Book Men
The stars of Kevin Smith’s highly underrated reality show Comic Book Men would be a great addition to the next Clerks movie’s cast. Smith has a tradition of casting his friends in his films (all cast members of Comic Book Men have been in most, if not all, of his movies), and what with the directors own comic book store, Jay and Silent Bob’s Secret Stash, being close to Quick Stop, cameos are not only anticipated but expected.
A stand-off between the employees of Quick Stop and the Secret Stash in a “battle of the clerks” situation would be hilarious, and a great way to bring these two aspects of Smith’s career together. Not to mention, any chance to reinvigorate interest in a resurrection of Comic Book Men is one worth taking.
8 Confirmed: Trevor Fehrman As Elias Grover
Originally introduced in Clerks II, the naïve but well-meaning Mooby’s employee, Elias, was one of the film’s biggest hits, so it is no surprise that he is scheduled to return. Joining the crew at Quick Stop—and under the employ of new bosses Dante and Randal—it is going to be interesting to see how much the character has changed since audiences saw him last.
The idea that Randal’s influence may have corrupted him in some way is almost inevitable, with Elias already beginning to show signs of coming out of his shell under Randal’s tutelage towards the end of Clerks II. Hopefully, he will still retain some of that trademark innocence that first made him so endearing.
7 Confirmed: Rosario Dawson as Becky Scott
Another ex-Mooby’s employee that first appeared in Clerks II. A diligent worker who understands the responsibilities of working in a customer-facing role; Becky was often left to pick up the pieces whenever Dante, Randal, and Elias dropped the ball.
Instrumental in showing Dante that he is capable of living a happy life (and doesn’t have to settle for overbearing fiancé Emma), Becky finally helped him reach his true potential and accept more for himself. It is going to be interesting to see how this relationship has fared over the years since Clerks II, especially now that Veronica has shown back up.
6 Need To Be: Ernie O’Donnell As Rick Derris
A long-time friend of Kevin Smith (and carpenter extraordinaire—he is responsible for building the interior of Jay and Silent Bob’s Secret Stash), Ernie O’Donnell and his portrayal of Rick Derris is one of the standout performances in the original Clerks. He is also one of most referenced characters in the entire View Askewniverse, with mentions of the character appearing in Mallrats, Chasing Amy, Dogma, and Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back.
What with his nemesis-like interactions with Dante in the original film, it would be great to see this antagonistic relationship return in Clerks III, possibly with him still undermining Dante for straining while picking up groceries.
5 Confirmed: Kevin Smith as Silent Bob
Considering that he is both the writer and director of the film, and plays one of the two main characters that show up in, and connect every single View Askew movie, the inclusion of Kevin Smith as his signature character, Silent Bob, is no revelation. It is, however, always a welcome return.
After the brilliant, fan-service-filled tour de force that was 2019’s Jay and Silent Bob Reboot, it is a pleasant surprise for fans of the franchise to be treated to another film by the director so soon, especially since there was such a long wait between that and Clerks II. With Smith on such a roll as of yet, fans can’t wait to see what he will come up with next.
4 Confirmed: Jason Mewes As Jay
The nicest man in showbiz returns as Jay, to stand side by side with his “heterosexual life-mate,” Silent Bob. It is always a treat to see Jason back on the big screen, and it wouldn’t be a View Askewniverse picture without him and his foul mouth to bring some of the most hilarious and jaw-dropping moments in cinema to life.
Recently debuting as a director in his own right with 2019’s Madness in the Method, where, in a brilliant twist, he turned things around and directed Kevin Smith, it is great to see him return as one of the most iconic and enduring characters of the 1990s.
3 Confirmed: Brian O’Halloran as Dante Hicks
The star of the show, it wouldn’t be a Clerks movie without the eternally downtrodden and forever-suffering Dante Hicks. One of the most relatable everyman characters of the ’90s, he is arguably the reason why fans keep begging for more of the franchise, year after year. Fans want to see him succeed, but they also kind of enjoy watching him suffer at the same time.
O’Halloran has been a champion of the franchise since day one, constantly appearing in other Smith-directed View Askewniverse films, episodes of Comic Book Men, and conventions around the world. It is no surprise to see him back in the role that just wouldn’t be the same (or possible) without him.
2 Need To Be: Bryan Johnson & Walt Flanagan As Steve-Dave & Fanboy
While both Walt and Bryan have portrayed many different characters throughout the View Askewniverse films, it is for their screen time together as Steve-Dave and Fanboy from Mallrats that they are most remembered by when it comes to the big screen.
Being no strangers to playing different characters, their tenure as part of Comic Book Men means that they could no doubt also play more than one role in Clerks III. If there is one thing that fans of their spectacular, award-winning podcast Tell ’em Steve-Dave (also featuring Brian Quinn of Impractical Jokers fame) can attest to, the more Walt and Bry the better.
1 Confirmed: Jeff Anderson As Randal Graves
Things were looking dire for the Clerks franchise after it was reported back in 2017 that Jeff Anderson was reluctant to reprise his role as Randal Graves. Smith even went so far as to host a live reading of his proposed script under the guise that it would never be made without the actor’s involvement.
It was to every fan’s surprise, then, that in 2019, Anderson agreed to return to the role of the most uncooperative counter-jockey in cinema. It would be unthinkable to imagine a Clerks film without Anderson’s involvement, and fans the world over cheered and breathed a collective sigh of relief once news broke of his involvement.
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