The market for faith-based films is a huge one, which is why studios are continuing to try and tap into that lucrative demographic. And megahits aside, even films that might not be on your radar are earning nice returns, with this year’s “Risen” ($46 million on a $20 million budget) and “Miracles From Heaven” ($73 million on a $13 million budget) showing that films for the faithful can be decent money earners. But how about one featuring some major, heavyweight talent, putting a character who has often been a side player into the spotlight? Well, we’re about to find out.
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Chiwetel Ejiofor is in talks to board “Mary Magdalene,” which has Rooney Mara in the title role and Joaquin Phoenix signed up to play Jesus. The actor will play the apostle Peter, who is infamously remembered for denying he knew Jesus three times following his arrest, but was forgiven after the Resurrection. As the title suggests, the Helen Edmundson and Philippa Goslett-penned, Garth Davis (“Top Of The Lake,” “Lion“)-directed movie will be told from Mary’s point-of-view, so we’ll see these events through her eyes. Either way, this is shaping up to be the most star-studded Jesus movie since Martin Scorsese‘s “The Last Temptation Of Christ.”
“Mary Magdalene” will shoot this summer, and aim for a release in 2017. [Deadline]