With more than two decades since its original release, Kevin Smith is reigniting a cherished piece of cinema history. At the Vulture Festival, during a special session named Dogma Confessional, Smith announced that he is diving back into his iconic View Askewniverse to create a sequel to his 1999 religious satire, *Dogma*. His remarks, brimming with wit and nostalgia, have stirred excitement among fans, but they have also raised questions about the risks associated with revisiting a classic.
Smith’s confidence in embarking on this sequel is palpable. He doesn’t shy away from acknowledging the likely resistance he may face. “Some people will be like, ‘Don’t f—ing touch it. You’ll ruin it,’” he stated, fully aware of the passionate opinions that a beloved film can evoke. Yet, Smith seems unfazed, embracing the potential backlash with a cheeky acceptance that he will, indeed, “ruin it.” This attitude encapsulates his self-awareness as a filmmaker who understands the weight of nostalgia but believes in his vision.
His intention to bring back Ben Affleck and Matt Damon—who originally played the fallen angels Bartleby and Loki—marks a crucial decision in his creative process. He humorously pointed out that their participation is not just expected but essential for the film’s life. “The only way we get a Dogma sequel made is if they’re there,” said Smith, revealing a blend of friendship and negotiation that has characterized their past collaborations. His assertion that he’s held a gratitude card over their heads for 25 years adds a layer of camaraderie that Smith seems to value deeply.
The original *Dogma* was celebrated not only for its humor but also for its satirical engagement with religion, a bold theme at the time. As we enter an era filled with cultural and societal questions about spirituality and dogma, the timing for a sequel seems strangely poetic. By pulling characters like Bartleby and Loki back into his narrative, Smith has the opportunity to reflect on the changes in the landscape of faith and belief over the past quarter-century.
The ensemble cast of the original film featured an impressive mix of talent, including not only Affleck and Damon but also Linda Fiorentino, Alan Rickman, and Salma Hayek. Their dynamic brought a richness to the film, and their potential return for cameos in the sequel holds promise for capturing that same essence. Smith’s earlier works, including *Clerks* and *Chasing Amy*, flourished through their exploration of the human experience, and there is hope that *Dogma 2* could do the same.
The announcement has surfaced alongside another twist: the relaunch of the original *Dogma* film due to a new distribution deal. This development opens doors to various possibilities that Smith hinted at, including sequels or even extended narratives for television. This evolution brings a fresh excitement regarding Smith’s original vision and the potential to honor the story in new formats.
However, the backdrop of this announcement cannot be ignored. Following the fallout from the allegations against Harvey Weinstein in 2017, Smith publicly grappled with his past ties to Miramax and the ethical implications that arose. His commitment to donating residuals from his work with Weinstein is indicative of a man who is conscious of his influence and the responsibilities that come with it.
As he treads this path of revival and reimagining, Smith is not just revisiting a beloved film; he is doing so with an acknowledgment of the past and a pledge to a better future. This duality marks not only the sequel’s significance but Smith’s maturation as both a filmmaker and a person.
In rounding off this fresh chapter of the *Dogma* saga, Kevin Smith stands as a figure at the crossroads of nostalgia and progressive storytelling. While excitement swells at the thought of reviving familiar tales, skepticism also lingers in the shadows—can the magic of *Dogma* be recaptured? As audiences await the unfolding of this latest venture, one thing remains certain: Smith’s unapologetic approach ensures that whatever emerges from the depths of the View Askewniverse will be met with fervor, humor, and perhaps more than a hint of irreverence.