Kevin Smith is channeling his inner Nick Fury as he is quickly trying to re-assemble his group of the worlds funniest mall patrons – The Mallrats.
In just one week’s time, since he confirmed by way of a radio interview that Mallrats 2 is going to happen, Smith divulged on Twitter that the first four pieces of the puzzle had fallen into place. Smith posted a picture of himself, Jason Mewes, Michael Rooker and wait for it true believers…Stan”The Man” Lee himself – EXCELSIOR!
Goin' back to the MALL, ya'll! @TheRealStanLee, @JayMewes @RookerOnline & me make a # 2. A pre-review of the movie? pic.twitter.com/vKOeotK2I1
— KevinSmith (@ThatKevinSmith) March 20, 2015
While recording his Hollywood Babble-On podcast, live at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre in Toronto, ON Canada, Smith brought out a guest to help he and his co-host, Ralph Garman, confirm the next addition to the cast. Shannen Doherty came out on the stage and was asked if the rumors were true that she was going to be in Mallrats 2, to which she emphatically replied, “f#@% yeah.” Smith also posted a picture of Doherty and himself, to give all the fans a bit of visual confirmation as well.
"Brenda?" On the new BABBLE-ON, @DohertyShannen says she's going back to the MALL, ya'll! 5 down and 7 to go… #MR2 pic.twitter.com/SSw8ES8exE
— KevinSmith (@ThatKevinSmith) March 23, 2015
That brings up to today’s bit of Mallrats 2 casting news, but first a question. Would you like a chocolate covered pretzel? If the answer is yes, you’re in luck because Jason Lee is returning as Brodie Bruce to accommodate that need…just don’t let him hand you the pretzel himself or shake your hand for that matter. By way of another Twitter post, Smith shows that Lee is in fact the sixth confirmed member of the original Mallrats cast to be returning for the sequel.
"Would YOU like a chocolate covered pretzel?" BRODIE IS BACK! JasonLee's going to the MALL, ya'll! 6 more to go! #MR2 pic.twitter.com/rsm6BcRp0a
— KevinSmith (@ThatKevinSmith) March 24, 2015
This leaves the likes of Jeremy London, Claire Forlani, Ethan Suplee, Renee Humphrey, Joey Lauren Adams, Sven-Ole Thorsen, and Ben Affleck as the remaining pieces of the Mallrats 2 puzzle that have yet to be accounted for.
Hopefully Smith can convince these prior cast members to return for Mallrats 2 in order to provide a “where are they now” look at the full range of characters from this cult classic. Granted, some may not wish to be included in the project, as it may not be something they are looking to do at this point in their careers.
Certainly Affleck could reprise his role as Shannon Hamilton, despite his Academy Award wins and A-List status. Affleck should do the film for same supposed reason he appeared in Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, since “sometimes you gotta do the payback picture because your friend says you owe him.”