Cult Classic Movie Free From Ownership Dispute And Headed Back To Theaters
If you grew up enjoying Kevin Smith’s wacky, off-beat movies, you’re likely already aware of his long-standing beef with Harvey Weinstein regarding the ownership rights to the cult classic 1999 comedy Dogma. Now, according to Smith himself, the film has finally been freed from the clutches of the Weinstein Company, and is on pace to finally hit streaming services, get physical release prints, and even tour theaters across the country for a 25th anniversary theatrical run.
While sitting down for an interview with The Hashtag Show, the filmmaker confirmed his plans to give fans all over the world open access to view Dogma, and even teased the possibility of expanding the franchise with a potential sequel.
Dogma Is Back!
In the past few years, all hope seemed to be lost for a wide release of Dogma– until a host from The Hashtag Show inquired Smith to discuss any new details about the controversy. Apparently, a major production studio has finally purchased the rights to the film from what remains of the Weinstein Company, and has been actively working with Kevin Smith to ensure that he regains full creative control over the future of the trademark. As a result, Smith claims the gears are in motion to get Dogma on streaming, on Blu-ray, and even back in theaters for an anniversary tour/victory lap.
Back In Theaters
Kevin Smith described the idea of touring Dogma across the country as “sentimental and nostalgic” since he knows better than anybody just how badly fans have been trying to rewatch this movie for the last two decades. While Smith has no confirmed timeline for when this will all take place, he claims that everything should be locked in by early 2025, and might even come as soon as January.
Harvey Weinstein Buried Dogma
For those not in the know, Kevin Smith helmed Dogma all the way back in 1999, before Harvey Weinstein had his own production company, and long before he was outed as a known sexual predator. Weinstein produced the controversial movie with his own personal money, and saw a massive return on his investment when Dogma went on to more than quadruple its budget at the global box office. A few short years later, however, the infamous producer saw continued success with his joint venture The Weinstein Company, and all but buried Dogma from his long list of hit films.
Kevin Smith Made Numerous Attempts To Buy Dogma
Columbia/TriStar was given permission to distribute limited quantities of Dogma DVDs in the early 2000s, though the film has since been completely impossible to find through streaming or any of the traditional digital outlets.
Even before Weinstein was outed for his numerous harassment and assault crimes, Kevin Smith had been trying to buy back the rights to the film, only to be scoffed at with each attempt. When Harvey Weinstein was eventually arrested and imprisoned in 2018, Smith thought that he could finally get Dogma on streaming, though a rep from the production company apparently quoted him with a completely absurd price.
Sequels And Spinoffs
While discussing the future of Dogma, the filmmaker even began thinking out loud about the possibility of making a sequel or expanding the story into a television show, considering the talent attached to the film are still so hot in the modern day. The movie stars a number of A-listers including Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Chris Rock, Salma Hayek, and more, who are arguably even more popular now than they were when Dogma premiered.
