The star who plays Jesus in the new miniseries Killing Jesus was raised a Muslim.
The casting of Haaz Sleiman, who was born in Lebanon and came to America when he was 21, is raising eyebrows among Christians.
But the actor is filled with pride over his casting, saying it sends out an important message of tolerance. He told Inside Edition he was raised to respect Jesus’ teachings.
The miniseries is based on Bill O'Reilly's bestselling book. O'Reilly's "Killing Lincoln" and "Killing Kennedy" were also turned into successful TV movies.
His book is not without controversy. Christians believe that Jesus is God’s son, so why didn't O’Reilly include this central theological underpinning in the book? When 60 Minutes asked this important question, he was candid.
“Because it’s not a religious book,” O’Reilly said, explaining that it’s rooted entirely in history. “There’s no religion in the book — nothing.”
Showing posts with label Bill OReilly. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bill OReilly. Show all posts
Monday, January 12, 2015
Tuesday, October 7, 2014
Kelsey Grammer to Star in 'Killing Jesus' Movie
National Geographic Channel has announced many of the cast members for its upcoming TV movie, Killing Jesus, based on the 2013 best-selling book by Bill O'Reilly and Martin Dugard.
The film will chronicle the life of Jesus of Nazareth through the retelling of the political, social and historical conflicts during the Roman Empire that ultimately led to his death.
Kelsey Grammer takes the role of King Herod, the Roman King of Judea who attempted to kill Jesus at his birth.
Stephen Moyer will portray Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor who ordered Jesus' crucifixion.
John Rhys Davies is Annas, a high priest in Jerusalem who first questioned Jesus and his teachings.
The project films this fall under the guidance of U.K.-based director Chris Menaul, with a teleplay from Oscar- and Emmy Award-winning screenwriter Walon Green.
"The film Killing Jesus will break new ground in chronicling the life of the most famous human being who ever lived," said O'Reilly, who also serves as an executive producer.
Killing Jesus is expected to premiere on National Geographic Channel in 2015.
The film will chronicle the life of Jesus of Nazareth through the retelling of the political, social and historical conflicts during the Roman Empire that ultimately led to his death.
Kelsey Grammer takes the role of King Herod, the Roman King of Judea who attempted to kill Jesus at his birth.
Stephen Moyer will portray Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor who ordered Jesus' crucifixion.
John Rhys Davies is Annas, a high priest in Jerusalem who first questioned Jesus and his teachings.
The project films this fall under the guidance of U.K.-based director Chris Menaul, with a teleplay from Oscar- and Emmy Award-winning screenwriter Walon Green.
"The film Killing Jesus will break new ground in chronicling the life of the most famous human being who ever lived," said O'Reilly, who also serves as an executive producer.
Killing Jesus is expected to premiere on National Geographic Channel in 2015.
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
Killing Jesus Becomes a Miniseries
After two very successful movies, National Geographic‘s Killing movie franchise is adding a miniseries: Killing Jesus. Law & Order veteran Walon Green has been tapped to write and executive produce the project, based on the book Killing Jesus: A History by Bill O’Reilly and Martin Dugard.
O’Reilly’s Killing Jesus, which chronicles the events leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion, was published in September. Like the previous entries in Nat Geo’s Killing franchise, Killing Jesus will combine historical insights with dramatic storytelling. The mini is expected to begin production this summer for a 2015 premiere globally on National Geographic Channel in 171 countries and 45 languages. Last year’s Killing Kennedy became the most-watched program in Nat Geo’s history and garnered SAG, WGA, DGA and PGA Award nominations.
Religion-themed event programming is red-hot right now on the heels of the blockbuster success of History’s The Bible miniseries. A Bible sequel is in the works at NBC, and WGN America recently greenlighted a Ten Commandments event series. .
O’Reilly’s Killing Jesus, which chronicles the events leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion, was published in September. Like the previous entries in Nat Geo’s Killing franchise, Killing Jesus will combine historical insights with dramatic storytelling. The mini is expected to begin production this summer for a 2015 premiere globally on National Geographic Channel in 171 countries and 45 languages. Last year’s Killing Kennedy became the most-watched program in Nat Geo’s history and garnered SAG, WGA, DGA and PGA Award nominations.
Religion-themed event programming is red-hot right now on the heels of the blockbuster success of History’s The Bible miniseries. A Bible sequel is in the works at NBC, and WGN America recently greenlighted a Ten Commandments event series. .
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
National Geographic To Produce Killing Jesus
National Geographic Channel is set to adapt Bill O’Reilly's upcoming book Killing Jesus: A History, marking the third telepic partnering of the author, the cable network and Ridley Scott's Scott Free Productions.
The news comes on the heels of the big ratings of O'Reilly's Killing Lincoln in February. The scripted adaptation, starring Billy Campbell as the 16th president and Jesse Johnson as John Wilkes Booth, pulled a record 3.4 million viewers to the cable network. Nat Geo is also in pre-production on O'Reilly's Killing Kennedy: The End of Camelot.
O'Reilly, who will serve as executive producer on Killing Jesus, is writing the book with his researcher and partner Martin Dugard. Production on the film is scheduled to begin in the fall.
NGC president Howard Owens tells The Hollywood Reporter: "Killing Lincoln proved our audience's response to factual drama. The audacity of these books is in the way Bill thinks and tells a story. We think it fits really well with the history of the Bible, and we've had a lot of success in the religious genre."
Killing Jesus, as the title implies, follows the events leading up to the crucifixion. And the green light follows the current success of History's religion-themed miniseries The Bible, which has been pulling north of 10 million viewers every Sunday since March 3. Nat Geo's previous religious forays include 2006 special The Gospel of Judas.
The news comes on the heels of the big ratings of O'Reilly's Killing Lincoln in February. The scripted adaptation, starring Billy Campbell as the 16th president and Jesse Johnson as John Wilkes Booth, pulled a record 3.4 million viewers to the cable network. Nat Geo is also in pre-production on O'Reilly's Killing Kennedy: The End of Camelot.
O'Reilly, who will serve as executive producer on Killing Jesus, is writing the book with his researcher and partner Martin Dugard. Production on the film is scheduled to begin in the fall.
NGC president Howard Owens tells The Hollywood Reporter: "Killing Lincoln proved our audience's response to factual drama. The audacity of these books is in the way Bill thinks and tells a story. We think it fits really well with the history of the Bible, and we've had a lot of success in the religious genre."
Killing Jesus, as the title implies, follows the events leading up to the crucifixion. And the green light follows the current success of History's religion-themed miniseries The Bible, which has been pulling north of 10 million viewers every Sunday since March 3. Nat Geo's previous religious forays include 2006 special The Gospel of Judas.
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