Kevin Smith has announced that he’s officially working on a sequel to his 1999 cult classic Dogma. Speaking at Vulture Festival’s “Dogma Confessional” panel, the filmmaker confirmed plans to revisit the irreverent religious satire, a cornerstone of his View Askewniverse (Clerks, Mallrats, Chasing Amy, and the Jay and Silent Bob films).
Smith hinted that the follow-up won’t be a direct continuation, but something of a companion piece to the original, exploring fresh territory while maintaining an irreverent tone. His inspiration reportedly struck during a long drive from Las Vegas to Los Angeles. “Some people will be like, ‘Don’t f—ing touch it. You’ll ruin it,’” he said. “And I’m here to tell you: I will. I’m f—ing tickled. I found a way in.”
And yes, Matt Damon and Ben Affleck will be back – potentially reprising their roles as fallen angels Loki and Bartleby. The director expressed confidence, saying, “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.”
Released in 1999, Dogma follows two exiled angels attempting to exploit a loophole to re-enter heaven, risking cosmic annihilation in the process. The original cast featured a mix of A-listers and comedic staples, including Alan Rickman, Chris Rock, Salma Hayek, Jason Lee, and Alanis Morissette, the latter of whom was cast as God.
The announcement comes as Dogma emerges from what Smith described as “IP jail.” Rights to the film had been tied up for years, with Smith making multiple offers to buy it back from disgraced producer Harvey Weinstein. Smith explained that it was his refusal to strike a deal with Weinstein, which would have granted the latter profit participation, that placed the film in limbo. “I was like, I can’t be involved with that dude in any way, shape, or form,” Smith said.
Eventually, Weinstein’s company sold the rights as part of a package deal to a new distributor. “It was like getting my f—ing child back,” Smith said. With the rights secured, the film is set to receive a re-release, including a SteelBook edition and a potential streaming debut.
While details about the plot remain under wraps, Smith’s enthusiasm and determination to bring the sequel to life suggest fans won’t have to wait much longer to see Bartleby, Loki, and the rest of the gang return.
Here’s a look back at the trailer for the 1999 film:
