Ben Patton
Content Editor
“Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature,” is a passage that Roma Downey and Mark Burnett are taking very seriously.
If you recognize these names it’s because Roma starred as Monica in the hit CBS series Touched By An Angel, while her husband Mark Burnett is the hitmaker behind top shows like Survivor, The Apprentice and The Voice.
Photo courtesy of TV GuideThe couple helmed the History Channel’s Emmy nominated miniseries, The Bible, that aired this past March to record numbers; an average of 15 million viewers per episode according to the Hollywood Reporter.
Heaven must be smiling down on the duo, as it was announced by 20th Century Fox that their 10 hour miniseries is heading to the big screen on February 28,2014. The series is being adapted into a 2-hour movie that will be titled, Son of God, and will arrive in theaters just before the Christian holiday of Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of Lent.
“We are very excited to be working with 20th Century Fox to release Son of God as a major motion picture,” said Downey and Burnett in a statement. “We responded to an overwhelming demand for the greatest story ever told to be seen as a shared experience on the big screen. The result is a beautiful stand-alone movie. It’s the story of Jesus for a whole new generation.”
Ironically, Son of God is being released almost exactly 10 years after Mel Gibson’s global hit, Passion of the Christ, hit theaters (February 25, 2004) which earned over $370 million worldwide according to USA Today. Jim Caviezel starred in the Mel Gibson version, while Portuguese actor Diogo Morgado plays the part of Jesus in Son of God.
“It’s really thrilling. It’s been quite a journey of love,” adds Downey, the Touched by an Angel actress who plays Mary in Son of God. “I don’t know if we could have dared to dream that we would have ended up with our story on the screen in this way. All roads have led to this.”
Photo courtesy of NewsdayUSA Today also reported that in an effort to bridge the gap between Christian denominations, Downey and Burnett consulted a variety of religious leaders throughout the country to ensure a telling of the story that would resound with anyone who experienced it. Rick Warren, Joel Osteen and Catholic Cardinal Donald Wuerl were among the leaders consulted.
“There is far more that unites us than divides,” Downey says. “We really have felt that we are uniquely positioned to create an artistic experience that allows people to come together.”
Check out the trailer for the History Channel’s, The Bible below and get ready for the big screen experience early next year!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqRSOrBa744
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