Hollywood's next big thing: religion

[cbayer]

http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Society/2013/0829/Hollywood-s-next-big-thing-religion

Hollywood is turning to the Bible for an array of new films and television shows. The success of 'The Bible' miniseries and 'The Passion of the Christ' suggest that religion could bring big bucks.

By Gloria Goodale, Staff writer / August 29, 2013


This publicity image shows Diogo Morcaldo as Jesus (r.) in a scene from 'The Bible.' The History Channel mini-series has spawned a rush toward religious material in Hollywood.
Joe Alblas/History/AP

LOS ANGELES

As summer winds down, the hottest trend on Hollywood’s fall schedule appears to be religion. Faith-based entertainment is in the midst of a comeback, what with NBC announcing its sequel to “The Bible,” the highly rated cable mini-series; multiple upcoming movies about Moses; a new film about Noah (starring Russell Crowe); and a Ridley Scott production of Exodus.

And then there are the renewals of such ratings-busting shows as GSN’s “The American Bible Challenge,” back for a third season, and TLC’s announcement that not only will its franchise, “Breaking Amish: LA,” return, but there will be a reunion event as well. Add to that list ongoing reality shows such as “Preacher’s Daughters” and the list just keeps growing.

“We are certainly in the midst of a rush of interest in faith-based shows,” says Martha Williamson, creator and producer of the CBS hit “Touched By An Angel,” which ran from 1994 to 2003.

The deluge of religious programming suggests that a decade after Mel Gibson parlayed the self-financed "Passion of the Christ" into a half-billion dollar box office blockbuster, Hollywood is finally figuring out how to turn the Bible into big bucks. The revival, after all, is no spiritual awakening. Some 78 percent of Americans say they are Christian, according to a poll by the Pew Research Center's Project on Religion and Public Life, and the Bible provides the sort of epic storytelling that Hollywood is thirsting for, making a religious comeback, if anything, overdue.

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[LuvNewcastle]

1. They could sell action figures.

I want the Sodom and Gomorrah set.

[madrchsod]

2. i`m sure christ would really be pleased.

if it was an accurate film about the times jesus lived in and the social structure he rebelled against i `d watch it.

the chances of an accurate film being made are slim to none. after all who wants to watch christ be born in a hole in the ground.

[cbayer]

8. I agree. Other than some great documentary series about religion,

I've not seen much of value. Most of what Hollywood has put out has been distorted junk.

[el_bryanto]

3. Lazy article

You are talking about a few fringe shows and a moderately successful mini-series. They then reference the Passion of the Christ which was 2004. How many of those movies will actually be made?

One could write an article involving almost any genre or subject and find a few tv shows or a few movies in production that would prove that that is the next hot thing.

Bryant

[trotsky]

5. Hey, Kirk Cameron still has something resembling a career, doesn't he? n/t

[el_bryanto]

6. Well he does - but I guess I took the article to be talking about mainstream Hollywood

There are (generally bad) movies made specifically for Christians; the market is there, so people fill it. But its a separate market, so doesn't really count.

It's a little bit like talking about McDonalds pathetic attempts to get vegetarian options on their menu at the same time as you talk about local vegetarian / vegan restaurants. They are really two separate things, servicing different markets (mostly - I occasionally go to McDonalds (although not right now because it makes me feel guilty with all the strikes and what not), but I would also eat at a nice vegan/vegetarian place).

Bryant

[cbayer]

9. I don't disagree, but thought it might be fun to discuss.

There is apparently a market for these things, though I've never seen any that they mention.

If a good film with a religious theme were to come out, I would be interested in seeing it.

But these mini-series and reality shows do not interest me at ll.

And i never did see Passion of the Christ, mostly because of my avoidance of violence and my dislike for the filmaker.

[el_bryanto]

11. That's why I didn't see it either.

I have a soft spot for the 10 Commandments but mostly because I remember watching it with my dad and alternately enjoying it on it's own level, while occasionally making fun of the more interesting casting choices and stilted dialogue.

Bryant

[Hestia]

4. Another reason to cut the cable/satellite cord. I do not want in any fashion to pay for this type of

programming. You are forced to through subscription prices as it is to fund "religious" programming, but to have it shoved your down your throat on your own dime, no way. Hulu, Roku, Netflix are a great bang for the buck.

[el_bryanto]

7. Yeah - and Nascar and all sports. I don't watch sports why should those be broadcast?

Frankly the media should be run to my tastes and if you want to watch something I don't, you're wrong! Get your act together!

Bryant

[cbayer]

10. Well, you are also paying for religious programming through Hulu, Roku and Netflix,

all of whom carry very targeted, religious material.

Bottom line is that every form of media carries stuff I am not at all interested in or even oppose. There is not way around it.

The only things I pay for are Netflix and Sirius radio, both of which I use to get what I want but carry things I wish I wasn't subsidizing.

[muriel_volestrangler]

12. What is the sequel to 'The Bible'? 'The Koran'? 'The Book of Mormon'?

It can't be a sequel to the plotline of the Bible - I thought that wrapped things up pretty definitively ...

[cbayer]

13. Book of Mormon has already been done on B'way and is

the best thing on stage I have ever seen.

[muriel_volestrangler]

14. From what I've heard, NBC wouldn't have the guts to put that Book of Mormon on TV

It'd be "Jerry Springer the Musical" all over again.

[cbayer]

16. Not NBC, but I could someone else picking it up. It's hilarious and moving

and has great music. The South Park guys did an incredible job.

[demwing]

15. its more a reboot than a sequel

Bible Baby Geniises -- 3D!!!

[LostOne4Ever]

17. Looks like

I am going to be watching ALOT more anime on Hulu and Crunchyroll then!

But then again...its not like I watch much TV anyways! Too busy playing on forums like this one

[okasha]

18. Religion's always been big in Hollywood:

Ten Commandments, King of Kings, etc., as a subset of the Hollywood (Oh my god, do they really think this is history?) spectacle.

Awful as they were, I'm not sure I'd put Gibson's obscene snuff flick in the same category.