As my colleagues like to inform me, I'm very much a "heathen", but I've been fascinated by the tidal wave of Biblical films that are headed to theaters in the coming months. Alex Proyas' Paradise Lost, Darren Aronofsky's Noah, and the story of Moses which may be one of Steven Spielberg's upcoming projects. But the story of Jesus Christ as a young boy, told by Anne Rice, the woman who made vampires as popular as they are today? Totally unexpected, but kinda intriguing as well. Her 2005 novel, Christ the Lord: Out of Egypt is set to be adapted for the silver screen, according to Variety.
Rice, who is probably most famous for The Vampire Chronicles series of novels, wrote the book after her return to the Catholic church a few years earlier. The story would follow a 7-year old Jesus Christ as he leaves Egypt to return to Nazareth, and soon discovers the truth about his birth and who he is. Way to put pressure on a kid.
Chris Columbus, who knows his way around stories of children bound by destiny as director of the first two Harry Potter films, will produce. The script was co-written by director Cyrus Nowrasteh, who helmed one of the most underrated films of the last few years in The Stoning of Soraya M. Do yourself a favor and check it out if you've got the guts. It's a tough watch. Rice sought out Nowrasteh personally to helm the film.
I'll be curious to see how this pans out. Having not read the book I don't know what the tone is, but having Columbus on board makes me think it's somewhat light. Would anybody want to see Jesus Christ's coming-of-age story? This wouldn't be the first time an adaptation of the book was attempted, as one was planned back in 2007 led by producer David Kirkpatrick. "Creative differences" ground that production to halt before it ever got off the ground.
