Kevin Smith has confirmed Shannen Doherty will return for the fast-developing sequel to "Mallrats."

"5 down and 7 to go," the filmmaker wrote in the tweet (below) accompanying a photo of himself and Doherty. Presumably the other four original cast members are Michael Rooker, Jason Mewes, Stan Lee and Smith, teased just last week in a photo from the set of an Audi commercial.

Doherty, best known for her roles on "Beverly Hills, 90120" and "Charmed," appeared in the 1995 romantic comedy as Rene, the once and future girlfriend of Bodie (Jason Lee) who's last seen as bandleader on "The Tonight Show" (which Bodie hosts). Her involvement in the sequel would seem to confirm Lee's return -- no real surprise, considering he's appeared in new fewer than seven Smith films, including "Cop Out."

“Mallrats 2″ is targeted to begin production next spring.