It's been a few years since Kevin Smith returned to the cinematic universe that launched his career, known colloquially as the View Askewniverse, and birthed in 1994's Clerks. The last live-action visit was with 2006's Clerks II and now he's back with Jay And Silent Bob Reboot, which has just launched its first trailer on to the web ahead of a Comic-Con panel with the writer/director this weekend.
For his latest, he's playing on the history of the movies he created (including Mallrats, Chasing Amy Dogma, and especially Jay And Silent Bob Strike Back, which this movie remakes and sequelises at the same time, while parodying the glut of reboots in Hollywood today. The story finds Jason Mewes' Jay and Smith's Silent Bob learning that a studio wants to reboot the Bluntman And Chronic movie that was based on the comic inspired by the two stoners. And they're not happy. Again. So begins a cross-country quest to shut it down.
The cast draws from of the director's extensive past troupe, with the likes of Jason Lee, Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Rosario Dawson, Shannon Elizabeth, Jason Biggs, and sources some famous cameos from both fans of Smith (Chris Hemsworth for one) and those he's worked with more recently (Supergirl star Melissa Benoist plays the new, female Chronic, for example, and is referenced in a recent Instagram posting from Smith.
Smith recently talked up his plans for the new movie while stopping by the Empire Podcast – you can find that episode here – and it'll launch in the States via Saban Films and Fathom Events in limited release on 15 October, followed by a double bill with Strike Back on 17 October, then starting 20 October, Smith and Mewes are touring the film as part of the Jay And Silent Bob Reboot Roadshow. There are no details on the UK release plans yet, but expect something similar.