Kevin Smith Teases Remaster For Out Of Print Movie That Is Also Unavailable On Streaming

Summary

• Kevin Smith announces that a remastered version of
  Dogma
  is coming in 2024.
• Due to rights issues with Miramax,
  Dogma
  has been unable to stream or purchase on digital platforms.
• Smith’s Instagram post hints at a 2024 release of a remastered version of
  Dogma
  , potentially ending the rights issues.

Kevin Smith announces a remaster for an out-of-print movie, Dogma, that is also currently unavailable on 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 an alleged loophole in Catholic dogma, with the all-star cast also including George Carlin, Chris Rock, Salma Hayek, Alan Rickman, and Alanis Morissette. Dogma was released in theaters in 1999, but due to rights issues involving Miramax, the movie has been unable to stream or purchase on digital platforms.

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

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

Dogma’s Streaming Rights Issues Explained

Because of its comedic interpretation of Catholicism and the Catholic Church, Dogma courted considerable controversy leading up to its release in 1999. The Catholic League condemned the film as sacrilegious and planned demonstrations postponed its release in many countries and resulted in at least two instances of death threats against director Kevin Smith. During this delay, Dogma‘s domestic rights were passed on to Lionsgate, though Miramax maintained control over its foreign distribution rights.

Due to a deal with Miramax that predates the advent of streaming, Dogma‘s rights were owned personally by the defunct studio’s founders, Bob and Harvey Weinstein. In 2022, Smith said he was trying to buy back the rights to Dogma, though they were being held “hostage” by Harvey Weinstein, whom he accused of seriously “overvaluing” the movie. Smith says both his offers were “scoffed at” and that his “movie about angels is owned by the devil himself,” referring to Harvey Weinstein, a convicted rapist who is currently serving a 16-year prison sentence.

It’s unclear what if any developments there have been in Dogma‘s streaming rights saga since 2022. However, Smith’s announcement suggests that the rights issues have been completely resolved. Though there is a slim chance that Smith’s post is an April Fools’ joke, the remastered version of Dogma should be coming in 2024 and should seemingly be released on streaming or digital platforms.

Dogma
‘s out-of-print Blu-ray frequently sells for around $100 on the secondary market.

Source: Kevin Smith/Instagram