Hollywood Seeks Divine Inspiration With Resurgence of Biblical Epics

BBC | CULTURE

By Tom Brook

The Greatest Story Ever told follows Christ from birth to crucifixion and
resurrection. It garnered five Oscar nominations in 1965. (Rex Features)

HOLLYWOOD---Recently interest in religious-themed films has been heightened as the Hollywood studios have, once again, come to realise there’s a potentially huge audience for biblical fare. Not necessarily earth-shattering news when you take into account that a Gallup poll conducted last year found more than 75 per cent of Americans identify with a Christian religion. Hollywood’s interest in biblical epics is to some extent cyclical – in the 1950s and early 60s they were a staple. But not all the religious films from the era resonated with an audience. One of the best-known – The Greatest Story Ever Told – didn’t do well commercially.  But what’s got Hollywood’s attention in the past few weeks is the just-completed American TV series The Bible on the History Channel. [link]

• Two Moses pictures are in the works, with Ang Lee and Ridley Scott rumoured as directors. 
• There’s a Cain and Abel story in development.
• The character of Thor in the movie certainly had a religious dimension.
• Certainly "Man of Steel" the current Superman movie is filled with religious themes