Storms, earthquakes, and political turmoil haunt the current headlines, but cheerier news penetrates through it all. Entertainment circuits now report that a new movie about the biblical Apostle Paul is in the works, and it appears it’s coming in epic proportions. The movie, titled Paul, Apostle of Christ, will star big-name actors James Faulkner and Jim Caviezel.
James Faulkner is well known for his acting in numerous films, including appearances in the popular TV series Downton Abbey and Game of Thrones. Jim Caviezel has also starred in a number of films, his most famous portrayal being Jesus Christ in The Passion of the Christ.
This new movie is being made in partnership by Sony Affirm Films and ODB Films. It is written and directed by Andrew Hyatt. It is also produced by David Zelon and TJ Berden. Berden is from ODB Films, a Catholic filming company, and he is thrilled to be part of this undertaking. “Paul changed from murdering Christians to becoming their unlikely leader,” Berden stated to Deadline Hollywood. “His life personifies ‘forgiveness’, a concept that seems almost impossible today—but desperately needed. We at ODB Films are overjoyed to be working alongside Sony Affirm to share this much-needed story with the world.”
An Unforgettable Biblical Movie
Zelon stated that this movie marks the first time Jim Caviezel had an opportunity for a biblical film since his remarkable performance in The Passion of the Christ in 2004. Many Christians are excited by this fact alone, as the latter movie captured one of the most accurate accounts to date of the paramount event in the Gospels. Zelon has also worked with Caviezel in the movie When the Game Stands Tall.
As for Paul, Apostle of Christ, the premise promises to be equally riveting. “Next to Jesus, no one played a more central role in the growth of the early church than the Apostle Paul,” Rich Peluso, the Executive Vice President of Sony Affirm Films stated. “He wrote a vast swath of the New Testament and traveled more than 10,000 miles by foot to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This gripping film dives deep into the final months before Paul’s execution under Nero as he reconciles his faith with his past persecution of the church.”
While Paul pushes to advance the Good News of Jesus Christ during his final hours in prison, his prison prefect Mauritius observes him wondering why he had gained so much interest from the Roman government to be executed by Emperor Nero. Viewers will be inspired by the realistic sets, costumes, and compelling storytelling that will look and feel like the Bible came to life.
As for the rest of the story, viewers will have to wait until 2018 to find out what happens next. Jim Caviezel will play Luke in the story, and James Faulkner stars as the movie’s namesake, Paul. A veteran British actor and producer, many television viewers will recognize Faulkner’s talent in several forms of entertainment including television shows, movies, and video games. He currently plays as Randyll Tarly in Game of Thrones and Lord Sinderby in Downton Abbey.
Between Faulkner and Caviezel, the star power alone for Paul, Apostle of Christ is sure to bring a quality Hollywood production to a sound and familiar biblical story that people of various ages can watch.
It is also important to note that Christian movies with top-notch talent are also more likely to be viewed by a wider audience beyond the usual Christian spectrum, as evidenced by the recent phenomenon of faith-based productions such as Soul Surfer, Grace Unplugged, God’s Not Dead, and The Bible Series. These examples and more have proven that Christian movies can indeed be effective witnessing tools for spreading the Good News ourselves, in much the same way as Paul.
Want to See the Movie?
For those who are jumping out of their seats to see Paul, Apostle of Christ, recent reports emerged on Thursday that Sony Affirms Films is planning to release the film the Wednesday prior to Easter next year which is March 28, 2018. Until then, you can catch a different faith focused movie that is currently playing in theaters now, which is A Question of Faith, or simply settle on the couch and watch a DVD of The Passion of the Christ to get ready until Paul arrives – and focus on the One who made our freedom happen in the first place, Jesus Christ!
~ Christian Patriot Daily
