Kevin Smith shares his thoughts on removing the original dark ending of Clerks. Smith’s first film, Clerks, was released in 1994. The movie stars Brian O’Halloran as Dante Hicks and Jeff Anderson as Randal 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 speaking with GQ, Smith talks about being convinced to cut Clerks‘ original ending. Initially, the film shows a robber coming to Quick Stop and shooting Dante, who then dies. Smith details how Producer’s Rep John Pierson told him he needed to remove the ending. Pierson believed the reason Smith killed off 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 “biggest joke” in the film since Dante was killed at the store after being called in on his day off. One of the recurring gags of Clerks was Dante saying “I’m not even supposed to be here today!” whenever he would get upset. Smith agreed to remove the ending so that the film could have a future and be successful.
What Removing The Original Ending Meant For Clerks
Dante Hicks Was Able To Have A Future In Smith’s Universe
Smith’s decision to remove Dante’s death from Clerks gave the comedy 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 Silent Bob films. If the character had been killed off, Smith would have had to pair Randal with a new co-worker in future installments, instead of building off the friendship that was seen in the first movie.
Although the original ending was cut, it was made available as a bonus feature on the Clerks DVD. Smith even referenced the ending in Clerks III, with Randal planning to kill off Dante in a similar way in his own movie.
Our Take On Smith Removing 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 in the series, and be one of the View Askewniverse’s best duos.
Although Smith did kill off Dante in Clerks III, the way it was handled was very different from the original film’s cut ending. Having Dante just be shot by a robber was a very cold and dark exit for the character. While Dante suffered a heart attack in Clerks III, he was able to have a final special moment with Randal and be reunited with his deceased wife Becky (Rosario Dawson), in a send-off that was more heartwarming.
Source: GQ
