Kevin Smith Unveils Long-Awaited Sequel to ‘Dogma’ Following Rights Struggle with Weinstein

Kevin Smith Unveils Long-Awaited Sequel to ‘Dogma’ Following Rights Struggle with Weinstein

Nearly three decades after its original release, director Kevin Smith is set to create a sequel to his iconic film ‘Dogma’. This exciting development comes in the wake of numerous attempts to reclaim the film’s rights from disgraced mogul Harvey Weinstein.

Originally founded by brothers Harvey and Bob Weinstein in 1979, Miramax Films, now known simply as Miramax, focused on independent cinema. The company made a significant mark when it was acquired by The Walt Disney Company in 1993. During this partnership, Smith’s theological comedy ‘Dogma’ hit theaters in 1999, emerging as a notable film under the Miramax banner. However, the Weinstein brothers later purchased the rights, creating complications for Smith.

Smith recounted to Fox News Digital how Weinstein acquired the rights. “Harvey Weinstein bought the movie personally, away from Miramax back in the day because Miramax was owned by Disney, and Disney wanted this movie out of their lives,” Smith explained. He also noted the Weinsteins’ history of purchasing films for personal distribution, which added another layer to this intricate saga.

While discussing the rights acquisition, Smith expressed doubts about whether Weinstein actually paid for ‘Dogma’. He speculated that Disney’s reluctance to produce the film combined with public backlash at the time may have led to a situation where Weinstein could acquire it without a significant financial exchange.

Despite Harvey Weinstein owning the rights, Smith felt a strong emotional connection to the film. In a wide-ranging interview, he shared his persistent attempts to negotiate the rights back to him. “I reached out, saying, ‘Hey, this movie means nothing to you. You’ve made so many movies, but this one’s tied up in my childhood faith and my father, so can I buy it back? You’re not using it,'” he stated.

The filmmaker initially proposed an offer of $250,000, followed by a subsequent offer of $500,000. This latter amount would have required him to close his iconic comic book store, Jay and Silent Bob’s Secret Stash, located in Red Bank, New Jersey. Unfortunately, these offers were insufficient.

In search of allies in this endeavor, Smith reached out to actors Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, both of whom starred in ‘Dogma’. Together, they decided to present a more substantial bid of one million dollars to Weinstein. However, even this offer was met with rejection. Smith described the communication with Weinstein as an “absolute stonewall situation” with no success.

Eventually, the fate of ‘Dogma’ changed when the rights became available. However, as Smith later learned, this development had nothing to do with his efforts. “A small company bought it, like a hedge fund. They didn’t even know they were buying it. They just picked up ten movies from Harvey Weinstein, who was going through numerous legal challenges and needed money for court,” he detailed.

Though the company did not return the rights directly to Smith, they partnered with him for a tour of the film, which allowed ‘Dogma’ to be available for home viewing after years of unavailability. Smith found this development rewarding, despite acknowledging that it may not lead to personal financial gain.

“I may not get rich off this, but it’s my chance to play with it again. It’s my moment to enjoy a second chance with the film,” he reflected. Smith considered it a rare opportunity, likening it to a fork in the road where one can revisit the path taken in the past.

At this stage in his career, Smith conveyed that financial incentives do not drive his decisions. “I do things just to see people’s expression change or to fill a couple of months. The current economic climate adds a different dimension, but sometimes you need to pursue what brings you joy,” he noted.

Reflecting on the experience of the ‘Dogma’ 25th anniversary