sp; width="25" height="25">   More details on the "Clerks" sequel were released on the weekend when Kevin Smith told the Associated Press that he's begun work on the film which will be entitled "The Passion of the Clerks".

The original $27,000 movie chronicled the adventures of Dante and Randal, two guys who talk about life, death, sex and movies while working at neighboring stores. The sequel will pick up events ten years on and shooting is scheduled to begin in January with Miramax distributing the film.

"It's about what happens when that lazy, 20-something malaise lasts into your 30s. Those dudes are kind of still mired, not in that same exact situation, but in a place where it's time to actually grow up and do something more than just sit around and dissect pop culture and talk about sex. It's: What happened to these dudes?" says Smith.

The "Clerks" sequel has moved to the top of his to-do list, making it quite likely he'll no longer direct "The Green Hornet" adaptation. Both the original "Clerks" main stars Brian O'Halloran and Jeff Anderson are signed on, and Jason Mewes, will return as stoner Jay, the "hetero life-mate" of Smith's stoic Silent Bob.

As for the budget - "We're going to do it insanely inexpensively. The budget will be somewhere between 250 grand and $5 million. This time around we'll afford ourselves the luxury of nice 12-hour days, and people can get paid".

Thanks to 'Josh' & 'Gakman'.