Kevin Smith Teases Remaster of Out-of-Print Film That’s Also Not Available to Stream

Kevin Smith announces a remaster for an out-of-print film, Dogma, which is also currently unavailable for streaming. The fourth film in Kevin Smith’s View Askewniverse, the film follows two fallen angels, Bartleby (Ben Affleck) and Loki (Matt Damon), who attempt to return to heaven by exploiting a supposed loophole in Catholic dogma, also featuring an all-star cast . including George Carlin, Chris Rock, Salma Hayek, Alan Rickman and Alanis Morissette. Dogma was released theatrically in 1999, but due to rights issues involving Miramax, the film could not be streamed or purchased on digital platforms.

Now on Instagram, Kevin Smith announced that a remaster of Dogma arrives in 2024suggesting that the rights issues have been resolved.

Smith’s message announces that a remastered version of Dogma is coming in 2024. However, given that the post was shared on April 1, 2024, many commenters are hoping that this isn’t an April Fool’s joke.

Dogma’s Streaming Rights Issues Explained

Due to its comedic interpretation of Catholicism and the Catholic Church, Dogma caused considerable controversy before its release in 1999. The Catholic League condemned the film as sacrilege and planned protests delayed its release in many countries and resulted in at least two cases of death threats against director Kevin Smith. During this period, DogmaDomestic rights were transferred to Lionsgate, although Miramax retained control of its overseas distribution rights.

Due to an agreement with Miramax predating the advent of streaming, DogmaThe rights to were held personally by the founders of the defunct studio, Bob and Harvey Weinstein. In 2022, Smith said he was trying to buy back the rights to Dogma, while they were detained”hostage” by Harvey Weinsteinwhom he seriously accused “overvaluation” the film. Smith says his two offers were “made fun of“and that its”the movie about angels belongs to the devil himself“, referring to Harvey Weinstein, a convicted rapist currently serving a 16-year prison sentence.

It is unclear whether any developments have taken place Dogmathe streaming rights saga since 2022. However, Smith’s announcement suggests rights issues have been completely resolved. Although Smith’s message is unlikely to be an April Fool’s joke, the remastered version of Dogma is expected to arrive in 2024 and is apparently expected to be released on streaming or digital platforms.

Source: Kevin Smith/Instagram

Dogma

Dogma is a 1999 comedy that revolves around two fallen angels, Bartleby and Loki, who attempt to return to heaven after being kicked out by God. This is the View Askewniverse from director Kevin Smith, and it counts with a cast including Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Alan Rickman, Salma Hayek, Chris Rock, Linda Fiorentino, Jason Lee and Jason Mewes.

Release date

November 12, 1999

Studio(s)

Lions Gate

Distributor(s)

Lions Gate

Duration

130 minutes

Budget

10 million dollars