Alien-Jesus Novel to be Adapted

Photo by The Joy of the Mundane, used under a Creative Commons Licence

Terry Strial's controversial Jesus novel is to be adapted into a film according to various sources. "Plan 1 from the Outer Empire" starts off like a conventional life of Christ, but deviates substantially after Jesus's supposed death. Following the burial scene it's cleverly revealed that Jesus was not in fact fully human and fully God, but simply an alien from another world seeking to solve the problems of the universe's most troubled planet. When even his resurrection fails to bring about the solution G-zu5 and his people were hoping for they decide it's time for him to come home.

Anyway, the rights have been snapped up by Pathé although there's no word on who will direct. It's thought Strial will rework the novel into a screenplay, possibly under a subtler title. "The original title gave the game away somewhat" he said "I'm hoping we can sneak this in under the radar so that, for some people, it's only when they see the film they come across the alien thing".

More on Ben Hur Mini-Series

Thanks to both Thomas Langkau and Peter Chattaway for the news on filming locations for the Ben Hur miniseries. In short, Variety, and the German IMDB both carry the news that filming will start in May in Spain, Morocco and Canada. Variety also notes that Steve Shill (Rome) will direct and Alan Sharp (Rob Roy) will pen the script. The production's budget is said to be $22.5 million thanks to a host of co-production partners from various countries.

Having re-checked the production website there's also a fairly interesting sales flyer to look at, including an intro. from Shrill which promises a gritty, "cinema vérité-style", and an indication of the range of tie-in products we might expect come next Easter. There's also a fairly lengthy synopsis including the following excerpt which may allay the fears of those concerned that the miniseries might water down the Christian message of the original novel.

Many Judeans are turning to a teacher named Jesus, whom
some believe is the Messiah, a leader who will drive out the Roman occupiers.

Ben Hur, encouraged by this possibility, risks his life , fighting with the rebels against the Romans, while Esther faces her worst fear when she finds that Ben Hur’s mother and sister are now lepers.Although Ben Hur is overjoyed to be reunited with them, he is distraught by their affliction. Esther urges him to open his heart to the power of Jesus’ words. Moved by the message of Jesus and the love of Esther, Ben Hur finds the strength to renounce violence, embrace his family, and finally forgive those who sought to destroy him. At last the slave, the charioteer, the rebel, is at peace.

Vaughn to Adapt "American Jesus"

According to the Hollywood Reporter Matthew Vaughn is to direct an adaptation of Peter Gross and Mark Millar's comic book "American Jesus". I'm not at all familiar with the source material, although as I understand it, the current volume of the comic book "Chosen" is only the first instalment of a planned three-book series. The description given on Amazon is fairly brief:

Chosen follows a twelve-year-old boy who suddenly discovers he's returned as Jesus Christ. He can turn water into wine, make the crippled walk, and, perhaps, even raise the dead! How will he deal with the destiny to lead the world in a conflict thousands of years in the making?

It's difficult to know from that whether this film will be seeking to say something significant, or just attempting to make the most out of a well known and much revised story. Millar, who also wrote the comic book "Wanted" that was adapted into last year's movie of the same name, has said that he is a practising Catholic, but I know some Christians fear this film will be blasphemous. That said various films in the past have explored what it might look like if Jesus's second coming was much like his first (as opposed to the impression given in the New Testament that it will be quite different - Acts 1:11, 1 Thes 4:16-17)

Either way, this might eventually make an interesting double bill with the planned anime version of the Jesus film.

Warner Bros. to make Methuselah

Variety reports that Warner Bros. have picked up Methuselah - to be produced by David Heyman and writen/directed by James Watkins. It doesn't appear that the film will be on the biblical character - it's billed as an action-adventure movie where the lead character ages "at a similarly slow rate" to the biblical patriach. So it sounds like this will be more along the lines of Highlander than anything else.

Even so, given that the biblical Methuselah is reputed to have lived until he was 969 it's possible that the film might have some historical scenes to it, and, as the reason for his deccelerated aging has not yet been given, there remains the possibility that the film might yet link up with the Bible in some way. But given all that we are told in the bible is the following passage from Genesis 5:21-27, it seems unlikely:

And Enoch lived sixty and five years, and begat Methuselah...And Methuselah lived an hundred eighty and seven years, and begat Lamech.And Methuselah lived after he begat Lamech seven hundred eighty and two years, and begat sons and daughters. And all the days of Methuselah were nine hundred sixty and nine years: and he died.

For what it's worth, a literal reading of the biblical chronology suggests that he died the same year as the flood. And, of course, such a reading would also contend that he died before his father. It will be interesting to see if either of those elements are reflected in the final film.

New Trailer for Year One

Following on from the clip from and trailer for Old Testament comedy Year One that were released last month, Columbia have now released a new, extended, trailer for the film. The new preview shows Jack Black eating an apple from the tree of knowledge of good and evil, the previously excerpted take on the story of Cain and Abel, and a few more scenes from Sodom. The film, directed by Harold Ramis and produced by Judd Apatow, is due for release on June 19th.

Thanks to Peter Chattaway for the tip off.

FFCC Critics on The Robe

I mentioned at the start of the year that The Robe was being released this month on Blu-ray as well as a special edition DVD. The actual release date in the States was Tuesday (17th), and a couple of the other members of the Faith and Film Critics Circle hav posted their reviews.

Over at Decent Films Steven Greydanus gives the film a B-, but steers clear of discussing the extras. In contrast, Past the Popcorn's Greg Wright avoids giving the film a rating, but appends a few comments on the extras to the end of his review. Peter Chattaway has also got a copy of this release, and so I imagine it will be only a matter of time before he posts his own comments on it.

Jesus Flickfest 4

Thanks to Bill Millar for sending through details of this year's Jesus Flickfest. For those not in the know, Jesus Flickfest is an annual film festival that occurs in the run up to Easter in Winnipeg, Canada. As ever there's an eclectic mix from Last Temptation of Christ to Inside Bob Dylan’s Jesus Years via the festival's traditional high point - the sing-a-long Jesus Christ Superstar. Perhaps the highlight of the programme (reproduced in full below) is Roberto Rossellini's Il Messia, but there are no shortage of good titles, as you can see:

Directors Cut:
*L'Inchiesta [The Final Inquiry]
Son of Man
Il Messia
The Colour of the Cross
Jesus de Montreal
Je vous salue, Marie [Hail Mary]
The Last Temptation of Christ
The Book of Life
Il Vangelo secondo Matteo
& hopefully Ferrara's Mary

Music
Cotton Patch Gospel [Harry Chapin musical based on Clarence Jordon's writings]
Singalong Jesus Christ Superstar
Johnny Cash: The Gospel Road

Documentaries
Inside Bob Dylan’s Jesus Years
Jesus, du weisst [Jesus you know]
Jesus Camp

Drama/humour
Mary, Mother of Jesus
Peter and Paul
The Miracle Maker
The Nativity Story
Life of Brian
Johnny got his gun
Jesus
Un Bambino di nome Gesu [A Child called Jesus]