Kevin Smith shares his thoughts on removing the original dark ending from Clerks. Smith’s first film, grocer, was released in 1994. The movie stars Brian O’Halloran as Dante Hicks and Jeff Anderson as Randall Graves, two best friends who work at Quick Stop Groceries and RST Video. Clerks was later followed by two sequels and was also the first installment in Smith’s View Askewniverse.
While talking with GQSmith talks about being convinced to cut Clerks‘ Original ending. Initially, the film shows A robber comes to Quick Stop and shoots Dantewho then dies. Smith details how producer rep John Pearson told him he needed to cut the ending. Pearson believed that the reason Smith killed the character was because he didn’t have a better way to end the movie.
Smith explains that he thought Dante’s death was the “Greatest jokeIn the film since Dante was killed in the shop after being called in on his day off. Clerks Dante said “I don’t even have to be today!“When he would get upset. Smith agreed to remove the ending so that the film could have a future and be successful.
Which removes the original end meant for clerks
Dante Hicks is able to have a future in Smith’s Universe
Smith’s decision to remove Dante’s death from Clerks The comedy gave a lighter ending. It also allowed Dante to continue to have a role in the View Askewniverse. Since Dante survived, the character was able to appear in two sequels, an animated series, as well as the Jay and Quiet Bob films. If the character was killed off, Smith would have to pair Randall with a new co-worker in future installments, instead of building on the friendship seen in the first movie.
Related
Although the original ending was cut, it was available as a bonus feature on the Clerks like. Smith even referred to the ending in Clerks IIIWith Randall planning to kill off Dante in a similar way in his own movie.
Our take on Smith removes the original dark ending
Smith made the right choice saving Dante
Smith removing Dante’s death from Clerks Movie was the right call. Besides giving the film a lighter ending, having it end with Dante still having to deal with his problems after a bad day makes the movie more relatable. It also allowed the friendship between Dante and Randal to grow throughout the series and be one of the best duos of the View Askewniverse.
Although Smith did kill off Dante in Clerks IIIThe way it was handled was very different from the original film’s cut ending. Having Dante just get shot by a robber was a very cold and dark exit for the character. While Dante suffered a heart attack in Clerks IIIHe was able to have one last special moment with Randall and be reunited with his late wife Becky (Rosario Dawson), in a send-off that was more heartfelt.
Source: GQ