Mallrats is a 1995 romantic comedy film written and directed by Kevin Smith and the second to be set in Smith's View Askewniverse series of interlocking films set mostly in New Jersey, although the film was shot in Eden Prairie Center and Osowski's Flea Market which are located in Minnesota. As in the other View Askewniverse films, the characters Jay and Silent Bob figure prominently, and characters and events from other films are discussed. Several cast members, including Jason Lee, Ben Affleck, and Joey Lauren Adams, have gone on to work in several other Smith films. Comic book icon Stan Lee appeared, as did Brian O'Halloran, the star of Smith's breakout feature Clerks.