Director/Writer Kevin Smith on the set of the comedy, ‘Clerks III,’ a Lionsgate release. Photo courtesy of John Bayer/Lionsgate.
Preview:
- Kevin Smith’s developing a sequel to controversial religious comedy ‘Dogma.’
- The 1999 film featured Ben Affleck and Matt Damon –– who the director hopes will return.
- ‘Dogma’ is heading back into theaters next year.
Kevin Smith is not a filmmaker to mince words; which means that when he talks, people listen.
And while not every project he has announced over the years has come to fruition, he’s not shy about talking about future plans.
During a panel marked “Dogma Confessional” at this past weekend’s Vulture Festival, Smith revealed that he’s starting work on the script for a sequel to his controversial 1999 religious comedy ‘Dogma,’ his fourth movie following ‘Clerks,’ ‘Mallrats’ and ‘Chasing Amy.’
“It can be Hell getting into Heaven”
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2 hr 10 minNov 12th, 1999
An abortion clinic worker with a special heritage is called upon to save the existence of humanity from being negated by two renegade angels trying to exploit a… Read the Plot
What was the story of ‘Dogma’?
Ben Affleck in ‘Dogma’. Photo: Lionsgate Films.
‘Dogma’ sees an abortion clinic worker (Linda Fiorentino) with a special heritage, who is called upon to save the existence of humanity from being negated by two renegade angels (Ben Affleck and Matt Damon as Bartleby and Loki) trying to exploit a loophole and reenter Heaven.
It was a blend of Smith’s own Catholic upbringing and his usual style of gross-out gags and chatty characters. The cast also included Alan Rickman, George Carlin, Alanis Morissette, Janeane Garofalo and Jason Lee.
Naturally, it was controversial, especially among some radical faith groups, who picketed its release and festival screenings (Smith amusingly showed up on the picket line at Sundance to support the boycott).
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What has Kevin Smith said about the ‘Dogma’ sequel?
Director/Writer Kevin Smith behind the scenes of the Romantic Comedy, ‘The 4:30 Movie’, a Saban Films release. Photo courtesy of Ralph Bavaro.
Here’s what Smith had to say about the development on the new movie at the festival (as reported by Deadline):
“Some people will be like, ‘Don’t f—ing touch it. You’ll ruin it.’ And I’m here to tell you: I will. I’m f—ing tickled. I found a way in.”
As for who from the original cast might return? Smith seemed confident he could continue to rely on occasional collaborators Affleck and Damon, joking that they still “owed” him for helping get their big breakout ‘Good Will Hunting’ made:
“I have been able to hold that over both their heads for 25 f—ing years, which is why they keep showing up in all the movies. Expect a cameo from them — more than a f—ing cameo. The only way we get a Dogma sequel made is if they’re there. So count on those guys being there.”
Still, Smith clarified the status of the movie (and the stars’ involvement at this point) in a tweet:
To be fair, I said I started writing a sequel in my head on Thursday night. So a Dogma sequel script is eventually happening… but that doesn’t mean a movie is getting made necessarily. And while I plan to include Bartleby and Loki, I’ve not spoken to Ben or Matt about it yet.⛪️ https://t.co/AuNr2farsp
— KevinSmith (@ThatKevinSmith) November 18, 2024
When will the ‘Dogma’ Sequel be in theaters?
(L to R) Chris Rock, Kevin Smith, Jason Mewes and Linda Fiorentino in ‘Dogma’. Photo: Lionsgate Films.
That, right now, is the biggest unknown for this project. Smith hasn’t specifically said it would be a new movie, but that seems the most likely avenue, short of, say, a limited series.
We could easily see him cracking a deal to have the movie on limited release (as with most recent outing ‘The 4:30 Movie’ and then be available on demand.
But the original movie, at least, is getting a second theatrical life, at least, after the rights were finally wrangled (read: bought) away from Miramax. Smith has plans for it around the 25th anniversary (albeit a year late).
Here’s what he told That Hashtag Show about the new ‘Dogma’ status in October:
“The company that bought it, we met with them a couple months ago. They were like, ‘Would you be interested in re-releasing it and touring it like you do with your movies?’ I said, ‘100 percent, are you kidding me? Touring a movie that I know people like, and it’s sentimental and nostalgic? We’ll clean up.’” Right now, 2024 is our 25th anniversary, this year. November is when we came out. So, I think 2025 it looks like is when the movement’s going to happen there. Back on home video, then back out in theaters, and I’ll tour it and stuff like that.”
‘Clerks III’ director and writer Kevin Smith.
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