Kevin Smith Reclaims Long-Lost Classic Dogma After Weinstein’s $5 Million Rejection

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Kevin Smith, known for his significant contribution to independent filmmaking during the ’90s, has at last gained ownership rights to his 1999 classic that had been out of print for a long time. He shares the intricate journey of negotiating with Harvey Weinstein, a movie executive who faced scandal. Smith’s groundbreaking work, starting with his debut film Clerks, was followed by a series of humorous and thought-provoking comedies that encapsulated the spirit of the late ’90s. However, one of his most beloved films was ensnared in rights complications for years, but the director has managed to untangle these issues after more than two decades.

In a candid conversation with ScreenRant, Smith opened up about the challenging journey of acquiring Dogma’s rights. Originally, Weinstein was hesitant to relinquish the movie. Because of an agreement made before streaming services became popular, the 1999 satire on faith found itself stuck in limbo and eventually went out of print. When Smith tried to purchase the film back from the disgraced ex-Miramax executive, he encountered roadblocks at every turn. As revealed by Smith, initial bids of $250 thousand, $500 thousand, and ultimately $1 million were all turned down, leaving the director on the verge of giving up.

In response to Weinstein’s lawyer asking for $5 million for the film, Smith bluntly stated, “If I had $5 million, I’d make a brand-new movie instead of buying an old one, even though I really like it.” Eventually, Smith managed to regain ownership of the film and has been traveling with it to celebrate its 25th anniversary. Smith has hinted at working on the script for “Dogma 2,” but the status of that project remains uncertain.

Approximately five years ago, I made a determined effort to regain the rights for myself. I wrote three letters to a convicted rapist and proposed three different deals: $250,000, $500,000, and eventually acquired additional funds from other sources since I wasn’t financially well-off, so I had to consult wealthier individuals. After reaching the offer of one million dollars, he remained persistent. His lawyer continuously declined, but after the million-dollar offer, his lawyer said, “You’re not close, he wants $5 million.” At that point, I stated, “If I had $5 million, I would create a new movie instead of buying an old one, despite my fondness for it.” The negotiations were at a standstill after that.

What This Means For Dogma’s Re-Release

There Is Clearly A Lot Of Passion Behind The Film’s Return

In Kevin Smith’s account, obtaining the rights to the movie “Dogma” proved quite a challenge. Yet, the intensity with which he pursued it suggests that this wasn’t just any film for him; it was arguably one of his finest works. Over the years, “Dogma” has been among the hardest cult classics to access in today’s era, often slipping through the cracks of Smith’s cinematic legacy. However, after all the effort he invested in reclaiming it, Smith can now direct that passion towards ensuring a top-notch re-release.

Our Take On The Re-Release Of Dogma

The Movie’s Return Might Be Just What Kevin Smith’s Career Needs

Due to its prolonged elusiveness, “Dogma” has become a nearly forgotten cult classic comedy that has largely fallen into obscurity. I believe this has been detrimental to the career of director Kevin Smith, as it overshadowed one of his most significant achievements in filmmaking. Admittedly, Smith’s more recent work may not be up to par, but “Dogma” serves as irrefutable evidence that his earlier successes with “Clerks” and “Chasing Amy” were no mere fluke. The potential re-release of the 1999 film could inspire Kevin Smith to embark on a fresh phase in his three-decade career.

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2025-06-05 16:27