Adam Driver Overlooked Again as Kevin Smith Eyes Helen Mirren for Dogma 2
Kevin Smith is moving forward with Dogma 2, but his surprising choice to honor Alan Rickman's legacy in the sequel leaves Adam Driver out of the running. Discover who Smith wants to take on the iconic role and why this decision is sparking conversation among fans.
Kevin Smith, best known for his work on the Clerks series, is finally gearing up to create a sequel to his 1999 religious satire, Dogma. After reclaiming the rights and releasing a 4K version of the original, Smith is now developing Dogma 2, bringing new ideas and a fresh approach to one of the film ’s most memorable characters.
With Alan Rickman no longer with us to reprise his role as Metatron, Smith has already revealed who he envisions stepping into those shoes—and it ’s not Adam Driver. In a recent interview, Smith shared that he’s writing the part with Helen Mirren in mind, aiming to capture the spirit of Rickman’s performance while introducing a new take for today’s audience.
Helen Mirren Tapped for a New Take on Metatron
Smith explained that he’s not planning to simply swap the character’s gender. Instead, he wants Mirren to bring her own powerful presence to the role, honoring Rickman’s legacy while making the character her own. The director pointed out that Mirren and Rickman shared a unique bond, both on and off screen, which adds a layer of meaning to his choice.
I want to write it for Helen Mirren. She is incredibly Alan-adjacent.
Mirren and Rickman previously worked together in Eye in the Sky and even played Antony and Cleopatra in the late 1990s. Smith recalled meeting Mirren alongside Rickman at an awards ceremony, a moment that stuck with him and inspired his vision for the sequel. He’s now crafting the role specifically for Mirren, believing she can pay tribute to Rickman without simply imitating him.
She’s not playing Metatron, but she plays this movie’s version of Metatron. For me, I met her years ago with Alan, at this Empire movie awards ceremony… ‘Helen Mirren, aside from being one of my favorite actors on the planet, I had that crossover moment with her and Alan at one point.’
Adam Driver Misses Out on Another Iconic Role
While Smith is set on Mirren, he admitted that Adam Driver was his initial pick to succeed Rickman as Metatron. Driver’s sharp features and commanding presence made him seem like a natural fit. However, once Smith thought of Mirren, the idea of casting Driver faded away.
When I was thinking, ‘Well, I don’t have Alan,” at one point I was like, “Well, Adam Driver looks like a young Alan Rickman, just taller.’ But then I was like, no.
This isn’t the first time Driver has been passed over for a role closely associated with Rickman. When HBO announced its Harry Potter reboot, many fans hoped Driver would be cast as Severus Snape, a character Rickman made famous. Despite the fan support, the role went to Paapa Essiedu, sparking both praise and debate over the casting decision.
Dogma 2’s Casting Choices Stir Up Debate
With Smith’s decision to reimagine Metatron for Dogma 2, some fans are surprised to see another of Rickman’s iconic roles go to someone other than Driver. This time, the character will be reinterpreted through a gender-bent lens, with Mirren bringing her own style and gravitas to the part.
Dogma remains a cult favorite, featuring a cast that included Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, George Carlin, and Alan Rickman. The original film runs just over two hours and holds a 71% score on Rotten Tomatoes. The sequel is shaping up to be just as bold, with Smith’s casting choices already generating buzz and debate among longtime fans.