Has ‘Dogma’ Been Sold?

Rumors have been flying for some time regarding Kevin Smith’s irreverent religious satire, Dogma, and how nervous Miramax and parent company Walt Disney Pictures are about it due to potential organized religious protests. Now, the News Askew website is reporting that Miramax is letting the film go… sorta. According to what the site calls a "VERY reliable source," Miramax is selling the film to Harvey and Bob Weinstein, the heads of Miramax and Dimension, respectively. The source also states that the two plan to release the film independently of Disney and its other studios, suggesting Paramount (heavily rumored) or Universal as possibilities. A press release is said to be forthcoming.

Rumblings of Dogma’s potential move started when Mr. Showbiz columnist Jeffrey Wells leaked the details of a story from the current issue of Premiere written by John Horn. Kevin Smith, himself, commented on the issue on his own site saying:

"First off, the Premiere piece (which most haven't seen yet) talked about in Jeff Wells' Mr. Showbiz article is about as close to the truth as one could get, save the 'demanding cuts' part. At no time has anyone ever demanded any cuts to be made in Dogma. In regards to Jeff's piece (which is more-or-less an 'I told you so,' with all due respect), he's not entirely right. At press time of his first Mr. Showbiz piece (and indeed, at the time he was originally attempting to contact me about the piece, while we were still in production) there were no such rumblings and no hint that Disney even knew we existed.

"Now, mind you, I've never had Michael Eisner's ear (well, except during the Clerks animated series pitch), I have had Harvey Weinstein's; and in all that time, Harvey never once mentioned a problem with the parent company (Disney, for those who came in late). If there was an issue with the content, we'd have heard it much earlier. We didn't. No story. We've since gotten the film into a watchable condition (minus all the final touches and the score, which we just completed this week), and it's been screened for some Disney brass whose opinion of the film beyond 'Great job' and 'You've taken a leap in craft, here,' I've not been privy to. Remember, though, for what it's worth, I have a halfway decent track record in the business, and I seem to attract a degree of name talent these days, and I work in a business of folks who'll never burn a bridge unless they're absolutely positive the German infantry is halfway across it.

"Meaning? If folks are pissed, scared, or ready to cut us loose, I'll be among the last to know.

"Have I heard rumors? Sure – I read Premiere and Mr. Showbiz too. Is it conceivable that Disney may be nervous about the flick? Of course. Do I find it odd that we're not on Miramax's release schedule yet? Oh yes. But does this all add up to disaster? I don't think so. I trust I make myself obscure? When the dust (if there truly is any) settles, you'll be the second to know (gotta tell the cast first). Until that time, let's see what happens together."

The News Askew site also has a Dogma Rumor Control area on their site which you can see by clicking here.

In a follow-up to the material presented above, Kevin Smith has posted in the WWWBoard section of his View Askew site in response to the worries of his fans. Smith revealed:

"Before anyone starts campaigning against Miramax, and before suspicions and rumors fly wildly out of control, I'd like to say a few things.

"1) Nothing's ever been done to or with the film without the consultation and approval of me and Scott.

"2) What Harvey and Bob are doing is a good thing.

"3) We won't know about Cannes until April 22...

"Make of all that what you will, but reserve your slings and arrows. I'm fine, the film's fine, everything's fine.

"When shit's bad or going south, rest assured - I'll let you know. At that point, you can rattle your sabres all you like.

"Remember - stay calm."