Twenty-five years after Kevin Smith released his controversial 1999 comedyDogma, the architect of the View Askewniverse has spoken about his plans for a belated sequel. Starring Ben Affleck and Matt Damon as a pair of outcast angels seeking to return to Heaven by leveraging a loophole in Catholic Dogma, Smith’s fourth and most profitable movie had been largely unavailable for years due to a long-standing rights dispute with Harvey Weinstein. However, in late 2024,Smith revealed that a new company had acquired the rights, paving the way for a newDogmatheatrical release on June 5.
Speaking withScreen Rantahead ofDogma’s official theatrical re-release, Smith offered an enthusiastic update regarding plans for a sequel to his cult classic fantasy. Revealing that Alessandra Williams, who was instrumental in acquiring the rights from Weinstein, asked him about the possibility of aDogmasequel. Admitting that while he never originally planned for a sequel,he’s now in a position where he is more open to revisiting his classic worksoff the back of his other sequels. Check out his response below:
But [Alessandra Williams], from the jump, was like, “Would you ever think about doing a sequel?” I was like, “Are you kidding me? F–k yeah.” Years ago, when I first made Dogma, I never had a sequel in mind. Back then, I was like, “Hey, man, I got more ideas than I can f—-ng get to in a lifetime.” Clerks 3, now on home video. [Chuckles] So now, in a world where I’m open to sequels and s–t, and she’s got the one back that I’ve never really f—-d with”
Smith also went on to assure fans concerned that his plans may spoil the appeal of the original movie thathe can’t afford to ruin aDogmafollow-up. He also revealed that he can not make exactly the same kind of movie, because he no longer possesses the same faith he once did. Nonetheless, the director explained that what his planned sequel lacks in faith, it makes up for in cleverness. Check out his final comments below:
Perhaps a bunch of people in the audience are like, “Yes, and there’s a good reason you shouldn’t do that.” But now I do, and so I do want to assure those cats who love Dogma that are like, “Oh, he’s gonna f—-ng ruin it”, and, “I saw Clerks 3, f–k him!” I can’t f—-ng afford to ruin a Dogma spinoff. Too many people f—-ng love this movie, so I can’t make that same movie again, because I don’t have the same faith. Like the way they say in the movie," I don’t believe like that anymore," I have some pretty good ideas. But, what it lacks in the faith that powered that first one — I know where it is now, because I’ve been writing it — it makes up for in pure cleverness.
When you see the movie, you’ll be like, “Of course, that’s the Dogma sequel. That makes a lot of sense.” So, I’m having a blast right now. The tour has been more helpful than me just sitting in the back and victory lapping it. I’ve been sitting in the back listening, going like, “All right, there’s a joke that could carry over. There’s some ties I can make. Oh, there’s a thing I could pay off in the next movie.” So, it’s been helpful as well.
What Kevin Smith’s Comments Mean For Dogma 2
For many years, anyhopes for aDogmasequel seemed largely out of reach due to Smith’s inability to buy back the rightsto one of his most popular films. While the filmmaker has not been shy about revisiting his other beloved properties and has already producedsequels for bothClerksandJay and Silent Bob Strike Back,many fans of his work felt thatDogmaoffered the most exciting storytelling possibilities thanks to its memorable characters and fantastical religious themes.
While speaking withInverse, it would seem that Smith is intent on delivering a meaningful follow-up, one that he also envisions as a two-hour film “to match what we did in terms of the length in the original presentation.”Revealing thathe hopes to be able to return to Cannes for the festival’s 80th year,after recently attending this year’s 78th for a screening of the original movie, the director has given himself a two-year window in which he hopes to see the project through to completion.
Our Take On Kevin Smith’s Dogma 2 Plans
The Director’s Plans Could Be Fast-Tracked By Luring The Original Stars Back
No stranger to the fickle nature of Hollywood and the ease with which even the most well-thought-out projects can fizzle out shortly after being announced, Smith has previously faced multiple setbacks withplans for aMallratssequel. However, the likelihood of getting this latest project across the line will likely increase exponentially if he cansomehow convince Affleck and Damon to reprise their rolesas Bartleby and Loki.
While it is unclear what role Affleck and Damon’s characters assume in his new movie,Smith has already revealed that he intended to see both angels returnin November last year. Nonetheless, both actors have continued to be involved in some of Smith’s more recent projects, with Affleck making a cameo appearance inClerks III, while Damon even reprised Loki’s role forJay and Silent Bob Reboot. With any luck, Smith can lure them back and deliver his ambitious plan to screen hisDogmasequel at Cannes in two years.
