Kevin Smith on Dogma Sequel and Evolution of Belief

Kevin Smith, the creator of the iconic 1999 film Dogma, revealed that unlike the original, which was penned by a devout Catholic, the upcoming sequel will be crafted by someone who has turned away from that faith.

Reflecting on the backlash from Christian groups during the original film’s release, Smith insisted that Dogma supports faith and Catholicism. Now, nearly three decades later, he’s taking a fresh approach with the sequel.

In a conversation, Smith mentioned, “When we set out to make the sequel, we faced challenges that weren’t present when we developed the first film. Dogma was made by someone who wholeheartedly believed in everything portrayed on screen.”

Smith, now viewing things differently, metaphorically stated, “The older filmmakers don’t possess that kind of belief anymore. I won’t carry that cross.”

The original Dogma is a comedic exploration of two fallen angels, played by Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, aiming to get back to heaven, only to be thwarted by a Jesus relative and the angel Metatron, portrayed by Linda Fiorentino and Alan Rickman.

Alongside notable stars like Salma Hayek, Chris Rock, and George Carlin, the film stirred expectations that it might come off as a satire akin to Monty Python’s works. However, Smith clarified that what he created was more solemn and “pious.”

Smith expressed that while the sequel might challenge some traditional views of the Catholic Church, he believes many critics hadn’t truly engaged with the original film. He holds a deep respect for those with faith, noting his late mother’s unwavering belief in religion.

Looking back on his own journey, Smith revealed that he longs for the simplicity that faith provided during tougher times. “Honestly, if I had faith, I probably wouldn’t have needed hospitalization. For those who have faith, having that sense of protection is invaluable.”

He added, “Those of us without faith often feel isolated. When life gets tough, the weight becomes heavy.”

When asked what shifted between the original Dogma and its sequel, he simply remarked, “27 years and a life.”

While he didn’t identify a specific event that led to his disengagement from religion, Smith reflected on two significant moments. One was during a podcast episode of SModcast, co-hosted with Scott Mosier, who challenged the concept of an afterlife.

Smith recalled Mosier’s metaphor comparing human consciousness to data on a hard drive, prompting Smith to think differently about existence.

Another awakening happened when he noticed a Buddhist wall in his house with the message, “May you realize your divinity in this life.” To him, this signified taking accountability rather than relying on external forces.

He remarked, “You don’t have to keep surrendering control as if you’re a child. It’s about recognizing your responsibility.” He also pointed out that for many Christians, the presence of Jesus isn’t physically here now, contributing to his sense of personal agency.

As he contemplates future sequels, he recognizes that these changes in belief will mold new narratives. “This is the perspective from which I’m writing the Dogma sequel,” said Smith. “This time, it’s going to have a different essence.”

Ultimately, while he acknowledges he could be mistaken about his beliefs, he feels he has led a principled life and treated others with kindness. “We’ve, as Catholics, made our own backup plans—so there’ll always be purgatory,” he quipped.