Movies give Pontius Pilate a bad wrap. Yes, he gave the orders to crucify Jesus Christ. But check canonical Biblical writing and one finds a tinge of reluctance, a man of power caving under the peoples' demands. Plus, would we still be talking about God's Son if Pilate didn't off him in the grisliest way possible? Silver linings. Pending deals, the next on-screen Pilate could add all this nuance with a splash of smarmy charm. Deadline reports that "Game of Thrones" favorite Pedro Pascal is in talks to play Judaea's prefect in the upcoming remake of "Ben-Hur." The film is said to skew closer to Lew Wallace's 1880 novel than the 1959 Charlton Heston-led epic, which chronicled the parallel stories of Jewish prince-turned-slave Judah Ben-Hur's quest for revenge and Christ's Passion. The in the original film, Pilate presides over the major chariot race setpiece and orders Jesus' death. He...
- 10/16/2014
- by Matt Patches
- Hitfix
Bible movies, they’re the hottest thing in Hollywood right now. Tinseltown has figured out—though many of them haven’t even come out yet—that Bible stories are public domain and therefore it's a “franchise” they can exploit. In 2014 alone, we’ve already had three Biblical-themed movies; Darren Aronofsky’s "Noah," and two very successful indies in “Son of God,” and "Heaven Is For Real" (the latter being less “biblical” but still built for the Bible Belt crowd). Meanwhile, Steven Spielberg was interested in a Moses movie (more on that in a second), Will Smith was once reportedly eyeing the story of Cain & Abel, Paul Verhoeven is developing a Jc biopic and Warner Bros. scooped up a Pontius Pilate script last year that even interested Brad Pitt. And now there’s a King David movie in the works. And yes, it’s the King David who started from the...
- 7/8/2014
- by Edward Davis
- The Playlist
Jesus is just all right with me, Jesus is just all right…with comedy, you would think. But a farcical, Django Unchained-style Saturday Night Live parody of God's son seeking justice did not sit well with the American Family Association. And although the fundamentalist Christian organization claimed that JCPenney and Sears pulled their ads from the program, a source tells E! News this is not true. In the Jesus Uncrossed movie-trailer spoof, which originally aired Feb. 16, Christoph Waltz portrayed a resurrected Christ, acting out what the narrator called "the ultimate historical revenge fantasy." The skit also mentioned Brad Pitt costarring as St. Peter, Ving Rhames playing Pontius Pilate and Samuel...
- 3/5/2013
- E! Online
Jesus refers to sin and blasphemy against the Holy Spirit as unforgivable sin, but ‘Saturday Night Live’ still made a strong pitch for what Quentin Tarantino’s third film could be to complete his Rewritten History trilogy. Following up on Inglourious Basterds and Django Unchained now it’s time for ‘the H is silent’. Brad Pitt (Taran Killam) in Inglourious Basterds mode playing St. Peter, Ving Rhames (Kenan Thompson) plays Pontius Pilate as Marcellus Wallace of Pulp Fiction, and Samuel L. Jackson (Jay Pharoah) fills out the cast as Judas Iscariot, appearing in the violent, bloody trailer for the Tarantino’s parody, Djesus Uncrossed, which narrator states, with...
- 2/17/2013
- by Nick Martin
- Filmofilia
For anyone who worries that "Saturday Night Live" doesn't take enough risks, we will kindly point you in the direction of "Djesus Uncrossed," which puts Jesus Christ in a Tarantino-directed, ultra-violent revenge flick akin to "Django Unchained."
The "SNL" parody is sure to offend many Christians, who may be put off by "SNL" depicting the Son of God as opting to not sit at the right hand of the Father after rising from the dead, and instead kicking the asses of those who crucified him.
The story departs from the Bible's take of the Resurrection after Jesus -- er, Djesus (played here by "Django" co-star Christoph Waltz) -- leaves the cave where his body lies, and instead of ascending to heaven, he goes off to kill as many Romans as possible.
"He's risen from the dead, and he's preaching anything but forgiveness," the narrator states, with images of Jesus killing Roman soldiers in the background.
The "SNL" parody is sure to offend many Christians, who may be put off by "SNL" depicting the Son of God as opting to not sit at the right hand of the Father after rising from the dead, and instead kicking the asses of those who crucified him.
The story departs from the Bible's take of the Resurrection after Jesus -- er, Djesus (played here by "Django" co-star Christoph Waltz) -- leaves the cave where his body lies, and instead of ascending to heaven, he goes off to kill as many Romans as possible.
"He's risen from the dead, and he's preaching anything but forgiveness," the narrator states, with images of Jesus killing Roman soldiers in the background.
- 2/17/2013
- by The Huffington Post
- Huffington Post
Christoph Waltz hosted "Saturday Night Live" last night, getting a little last minute Oscar exposure before the polls close this coming Tuesday, February 19 and the big hit of the night was clearly the Django Unchained spoof Djesus Uncrossed. The skit featured Waltz as the resurrected Son of God as he goes on a rampage, out for blood and lots of it. Taran Killam delivers his Brad Pitt impression as St. Peter and Kenan Thompson delivers a spot-on Ving Rhames as Pontius Pilate. But am I the only one surprised at the poor impression Jay Pharaoh delivered as Samuel L. Jackson? Pharaoh is top notch and while I assume they went with Jackson because he's a Qt staple, man it would have been great to see Pharoah's Denzel Washington in here somewhere. I was a bit mezzo-mezzo on the whole thing when I saw it last night, but this morning, with fresh eyes,...
- 2/17/2013
- by Brad Brevet
- Rope of Silicon
We’re officially two weeks into 2013, and the first stomach-churning, head-swelling reboot news has already surfaced.
William Wyler‘s 11 Oscar-winning Ben-Hur (the first film in history to receive this many Oscars – and back then when Oscars actually proved the film’s worth, and now tied with Titanic and The Lord Of The Rings: The Return Of The King as the only film to accomplish that feat) is now getting a reboot. Why on Earth would that be happening, you might ask? Well duh! – because they can. And because they have no shame… no shame at all.
MGM has bought a script from Keith Clarke, that is based on the Lew Wallace novel Ben-Hur: A Tale Of The Christ, as the Wyler picture was.
However, the project is intent to tell a different story than 1959 masterpiece (oh, look! They’re gonna reinvent hot water!), breaking off on its own in two main ways: firstly,...
William Wyler‘s 11 Oscar-winning Ben-Hur (the first film in history to receive this many Oscars – and back then when Oscars actually proved the film’s worth, and now tied with Titanic and The Lord Of The Rings: The Return Of The King as the only film to accomplish that feat) is now getting a reboot. Why on Earth would that be happening, you might ask? Well duh! – because they can. And because they have no shame… no shame at all.
MGM has bought a script from Keith Clarke, that is based on the Lew Wallace novel Ben-Hur: A Tale Of The Christ, as the Wyler picture was.
However, the project is intent to tell a different story than 1959 masterpiece (oh, look! They’re gonna reinvent hot water!), breaking off on its own in two main ways: firstly,...
- 1/15/2013
- by Vesna Sunrider
- Filmofilia
Catch up with the last seven days in the world of film
The big story
The film world went awards crazy this week, aided no doubt by the Academy awards' committee craftily bringing forward the announcement of their nominations to today – probably to spike the guns of the Golden Globes, who hold their results ceremony on Sunday. Whatever the machinations, that meant a glut of fevered speculation and analysis as the Bafta nominations yesterday were immediately followed by the Oscar nods. The full lists obviously skew in favour of national cultural interests – but one thing looks clear: 2013 is going to be the year that properly commercially successful films are also going to scoop the awards, in stark contrast to recent practice.
Lincoln, Les Miserables, Argo and Django Unchained look to be leading the pack, with Life of Pi bobbing pluckily in their wake. (Pause to bow your head for The Master,...
The big story
The film world went awards crazy this week, aided no doubt by the Academy awards' committee craftily bringing forward the announcement of their nominations to today – probably to spike the guns of the Golden Globes, who hold their results ceremony on Sunday. Whatever the machinations, that meant a glut of fevered speculation and analysis as the Bafta nominations yesterday were immediately followed by the Oscar nods. The full lists obviously skew in favour of national cultural interests – but one thing looks clear: 2013 is going to be the year that properly commercially successful films are also going to scoop the awards, in stark contrast to recent practice.
Lincoln, Les Miserables, Argo and Django Unchained look to be leading the pack, with Life of Pi bobbing pluckily in their wake. (Pause to bow your head for The Master,...
- 1/10/2013
- The Guardian - Film News
Los Angeles, Jan 9: Actor Brad Pitt is reportedly set to play Pontius Pilate, the man who killed Jesus Christ, in a film.
The 49-year-old is said to be in talks to take on the lead role in period drama "Pontius Pilate", which tells the biblical tale of the man who sentenced Christ to be killed by crucifixion.
Pitt is expected to sign up soon, reports deadline.com. The script has been written by Vera Blasi.
"You have the available facts from Roman and Jewish history books and the four gospels, and then you are left to speculate, to interpret the character of Pilate and give him a dilemma," Blasi had earlier said.
Ians...
The 49-year-old is said to be in talks to take on the lead role in period drama "Pontius Pilate", which tells the biblical tale of the man who sentenced Christ to be killed by crucifixion.
Pitt is expected to sign up soon, reports deadline.com. The script has been written by Vera Blasi.
"You have the available facts from Roman and Jewish history books and the four gospels, and then you are left to speculate, to interpret the character of Pilate and give him a dilemma," Blasi had earlier said.
Ians...
- 1/9/2013
- by Anita Agarwal
- RealBollywood.com
Pontius Pilate, like Benedict Arnold after him, lived in a time of great political and social unrest. Big things were happening, many sides were battling against each other, feelings were running deep, and tempers were flaring. Each was faced with a fateful decision that forced them to choose which side to come down on, which warring faction to appease, and in the end the decisions they made were so poor that they didn’t just make them failures or losers, they made them into history’s most despised villains, the sorts of names who will never be forgotten due to their infamy. Bad for a guy like Pontius Pilate, sure, but a dissection of the political and religious turmoil that led to his decision of whether or not to authorize the crucifixion of Jesus Christ sounds like it could make for a really good movie. Or, at least, that’s what Warner Bros has been hoping ever...
- 1/8/2013
- by Nathan Adams
- FilmSchoolRejects.com
The movies built around the New Testament Gospel have always tried to explore new sides of Jesus and his teachings. There have been quite a few that have garnered controversy such as “The Passion of the Christ” or “The Last Temptation of Christ.” Even though the story is more than two thousand years old, there are other figures that have not had as much attention.
It seems that Pontius Pilate will now have the spotlight with Brad Pitt rumored to be in the running to portray him. Unlike the typical Biblical epic, the story will center on Pilate’s journey to political power and infamy. From his childhood as the son of a Roman Knight to a soldier himself, he then becomes a political star and is given a governorship. Another major point is his mishandling of the religious struggles of Judea, which will culminate with the crucifixion of Jesus.
It seems that Pontius Pilate will now have the spotlight with Brad Pitt rumored to be in the running to portray him. Unlike the typical Biblical epic, the story will center on Pilate’s journey to political power and infamy. From his childhood as the son of a Roman Knight to a soldier himself, he then becomes a political star and is given a governorship. Another major point is his mishandling of the religious struggles of Judea, which will culminate with the crucifixion of Jesus.
- 1/8/2013
- by Ruben Gonzalez
- LRMonline.com
1.) Joseph Gordon-Levitt is the latest name to join Sin City: A Dame To Kill For. His character, a cocky gambler named Johnny, is considered one of the film's leads and was originally offered to Johnny Depp. "I love how the first move uses VFX, not to make fake things look real, but to create a heightened world unburdened by the look and feel of reality," Gordon-Levitt said of the project. "Plus, nobody makes a badass like Mr. Rodriguez." Deadline also expects a few "tough guy actors" to be added shortly, with Josh Brolin considered one good possibility. As for Gordon-Levitt, the deal takes him out of the running for a few other roles he has been mulling over. One of those was the lead in Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy, which now has Jim Sturgess, Zachary Levi and John Krasinski among those left in contention. 2.) Speaking of Gordon-Levitt, he passed...
- 1/8/2013
- by Kevin Blumeyer
- Rope of Silicon
A few months ago Warner Bros. announced they would be making a Biblical epic called Pontius Pilate, and picked up a script from screenwriter Vera Blasi (Tortilla Soup, Woman On Top and Emperor). It's being reported that Brad Pitt is looking to take on the lead role in the film and play the man who sent Jesus Christ to his death. I like Pitt as an actor, but it's hard for me to see him in a role like this. If he ends up taking the role, it will be interesting to see how he approaches it.
Deadline got a hold of the script, explained the story, and talked about the script saying "the evolution of Lucius Pontius Pilate from the sensitive son of a Roman Knight into a ferocious soldier whose warrior exploits make him a general and puts him on a political track under the Roman Emperor Tiberius.
Deadline got a hold of the script, explained the story, and talked about the script saying "the evolution of Lucius Pontius Pilate from the sensitive son of a Roman Knight into a ferocious soldier whose warrior exploits make him a general and puts him on a political track under the Roman Emperor Tiberius.
- 1/8/2013
- by Joey Paur
- GeekTyrant
Actor eyeing lead in new Hollywood epic about Roman prefect who sent Jesus to his death, reports say
Brad Pitt is being lined up for the lead role in a new Hollywood film about the Roman prefect Pontius Pilate, who oversaw the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, reports Deadline.
Studio Warner Bros is backing the big-budget project, which is based on a screenplay by Woman On Top author Vera Blasi. Her take, details of which first emerged in the summer, follows Pilate from his youth as the sensitive son of a Roman knight to the reluctant governorship of Judea, climaxing with his decision to order Christ's crucifixion. The screenplay, which Blasi claims to have researched for more than a decade, imagines the Roman prefect as an unfortunate figure caught amid antagonistic religious factions who is forced to make the fateful decision after finding himself in desperate need of popular goodwill. As well as Christ,...
Brad Pitt is being lined up for the lead role in a new Hollywood film about the Roman prefect Pontius Pilate, who oversaw the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, reports Deadline.
Studio Warner Bros is backing the big-budget project, which is based on a screenplay by Woman On Top author Vera Blasi. Her take, details of which first emerged in the summer, follows Pilate from his youth as the sensitive son of a Roman knight to the reluctant governorship of Judea, climaxing with his decision to order Christ's crucifixion. The screenplay, which Blasi claims to have researched for more than a decade, imagines the Roman prefect as an unfortunate figure caught amid antagonistic religious factions who is forced to make the fateful decision after finding himself in desperate need of popular goodwill. As well as Christ,...
- 1/8/2013
- by Ben Child
- The Guardian - Film News
Brad Pitt is reportedly circling the title role in Pontius Pilate, a new interpretation of sorts on the man that ordered the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. A biopic is in the works at Warner Bros who acquired the script from Tortilla Soup writer Vera Blasi.
The 49-year-old actor is not committed, but is reportedly close to signing on for the title role in a big budget Biblical epic.
Instead of a straight-ahead biblical story, the script describes the titular character as a ‘proud, capable Roman soldier’ whose ‘arrogance and inability to grasp the devoutness of the citizenry and its hatred for the Roman occupiers and their pagan gods leads him to make catastrophic decisions’ to allow Jesus to be crucified.
The period drama about one of history’s most vilified figures also features the Roman emperors Caligula and Tiberius as well as New Testament figures such as John the Baptist,...
The 49-year-old actor is not committed, but is reportedly close to signing on for the title role in a big budget Biblical epic.
Instead of a straight-ahead biblical story, the script describes the titular character as a ‘proud, capable Roman soldier’ whose ‘arrogance and inability to grasp the devoutness of the citizenry and its hatred for the Roman occupiers and their pagan gods leads him to make catastrophic decisions’ to allow Jesus to be crucified.
The period drama about one of history’s most vilified figures also features the Roman emperors Caligula and Tiberius as well as New Testament figures such as John the Baptist,...
- 1/8/2013
- by Nick Martin
- Filmofilia
Brad Pitt is in talks to join Warner Bros' "Pontius Pilate," a new film about the life of the Roman general who authorized the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The script is written by Vera Blasi (Tortilla Soup) and has been compared to "Braveheart" and "Gladiator." The new movie follows Lucius Pontius Pilate from growing up as the sensitive son of a Roman Knight to becoming a ruthless warrior who becomes a general under the Roman Emperor Tiberius. The Emperor eventually places Pilate in charge or Judea, during a time when Jerusalem was dealing with religious tensions. Pilate gets in over his head, and lets his arrogance and inability to control the citizens lead him to make catastrophic decisions. In need of public approval, he is asked to decide the fate of a 33-year-old rabbi accused by religious elders of claiming he is King of the Jews.
- 1/8/2013
- WorstPreviews.com
Last summer Warner Bros. bought a script by Vera Blasi titled Pontius Pilate about the man who ultimately let Jesus Christ be put to death, despite his mixed feelings about the matter. Not much has been said about the film since the script was bought, but now Brad Pitt is reported to be interested in the titular role.
Mike Fleming Jr. at Deadline acquired a copy of the script last year and posted a very detailed and enlightening summary of what he read. Check it out below.
This script follows the evolution of Lucius Pontius Pilate from the sensitive son of a Roman Knight into a ferocious soldier whose warrior exploits make him a general and puts him on a political track under the Roman Emperor Tiberius. Promised a military governorship in Egypt, Pilate is instead assigned by Tiberius to become the prefect of Judea, at a time when Jerusalem...
Mike Fleming Jr. at Deadline acquired a copy of the script last year and posted a very detailed and enlightening summary of what he read. Check it out below.
This script follows the evolution of Lucius Pontius Pilate from the sensitive son of a Roman Knight into a ferocious soldier whose warrior exploits make him a general and puts him on a political track under the Roman Emperor Tiberius. Promised a military governorship in Egypt, Pilate is instead assigned by Tiberius to become the prefect of Judea, at a time when Jerusalem...
- 1/8/2013
- by Alex Lowe
- We Got This Covered
Brad Pitt is said to be circling the title role in the Pontius Pilate biopic in development at Warner Bros. Pictures.
"Woman On Top" scribe Vera Blasi wrote the spec script which follows Lucius Pontius Pilate's transformation from the sensitive son of a Roman Knight into a ferocious soldier on the political fast track under Emperor Tiberius' rule.
Promised a military governorship in Egypt, Pilate is instead assigned to become Judea's prefect at a time when the Roman-occupied Jerusalem was a cauldron of religious tensions. He fell into historical infamy when he had to decide the fate of a 33-year old rabbi by the name of Jesus Christ.
The film puts a new spin on Pilate, portraying him as a capable but arrogant soldier who gets in way over his head and ends up making catastrophic decisions. It also reportedly focuses on the history, politics and character motivations rather than the greater theological implications.
"Woman On Top" scribe Vera Blasi wrote the spec script which follows Lucius Pontius Pilate's transformation from the sensitive son of a Roman Knight into a ferocious soldier on the political fast track under Emperor Tiberius' rule.
Promised a military governorship in Egypt, Pilate is instead assigned to become Judea's prefect at a time when the Roman-occupied Jerusalem was a cauldron of religious tensions. He fell into historical infamy when he had to decide the fate of a 33-year old rabbi by the name of Jesus Christ.
The film puts a new spin on Pilate, portraying him as a capable but arrogant soldier who gets in way over his head and ends up making catastrophic decisions. It also reportedly focuses on the history, politics and character motivations rather than the greater theological implications.
- 1/8/2013
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Brad Pitt is reportedly close to signing on for the title role in "Pontius Pilate," a big budget Biblical epic from Warner Bros.
Deadline reports Pitt is "not committed" but could be "very quickly" in the project written by Vera Blasi ("Woman on Top") and produced by Hollywood heavyweight Mark Johnson ("The Notebook," "Breaking Bad"). The site describes the script as "almost like a Biblical era 'Twilight Zone' episode in which a proud, capable Roman soldier gets in way over his head."
In case you're not up on your Bible history, Pilate authorized the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. It would certainly be one of the most interesting roles Pitt has tackled to date.
The busy mega-star has three movies due for release in 2013: post-apocalyptic zombie drama "World War Z," historical drama "Twelve Years a Slave" and Ridley Scott's legal thriller "The Counselor."
Although Mel Gibson's...
Deadline reports Pitt is "not committed" but could be "very quickly" in the project written by Vera Blasi ("Woman on Top") and produced by Hollywood heavyweight Mark Johnson ("The Notebook," "Breaking Bad"). The site describes the script as "almost like a Biblical era 'Twilight Zone' episode in which a proud, capable Roman soldier gets in way over his head."
In case you're not up on your Bible history, Pilate authorized the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. It would certainly be one of the most interesting roles Pitt has tackled to date.
The busy mega-star has three movies due for release in 2013: post-apocalyptic zombie drama "World War Z," historical drama "Twelve Years a Slave" and Ridley Scott's legal thriller "The Counselor."
Although Mel Gibson's...
- 1/8/2013
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Pop2it
It's entirely possible that in a few years time we will identify Brad Pitt as the man who killed Jesus Christ. New reports have surfaced online saying that the A-list star is now contemplating signing on for Pontius Pilate, a new period drama set up over at Warner Bros. that explores the biblical tale of the man who sentenced the Christian savior to be killed by crucifixion. The script was written by Vera Blasi (Woman on Top) and while Pitt isn't currently officially attached, that could change very soon. Deadline, which first reported the potential casting news, has a full breakdown of the script, having received a copy of it after the project was announced last August. A biopic of sorts, the movie sees Lucius Pontius Pilate grow to become a strong warrior under Roman Emperor Tiberius and a prefect of Judea. The movie, which the site describes as "a...
- 1/8/2013
- cinemablend.com
Brad Pitt could play Pontius Pilate on the big screen, it has been reported. The World War Z actor is said to be interested in portraying the biblical figure in a new Warner Bros project, according to Deadline. Pontius Pilate appears in the New Testament as the judge at Jesus's trial, ultimately sending him to his death. Vera Blasi, who wrote the Penelope Cruz-starring romantic comedy Woman on Top, has penned the script, which reportedly (more)...
- 1/8/2013
- by By Kate Goodacre
- Digital Spy
Exclusive: Brad Pitt is circling the title role in Warner Bros‘ Pontius Pilate, the drama about one of history’s most vilified figures. The studio acquired a script by Woman On Top scribe Vera Blasi with Mark Johnson producing through his Gran Via banner. Pitt is not committed, but it could well move that way quickly. I revealed this project last summer, when the studio acquired Blasi’s script. I got hold of a draft and it’s very strong stuff and has the makings of a compelling period big budget film. This script follows the evolution of Lucius Pontius Pilate from the sensitive son of a Roman Knight into a ferocious soldier whose warrior exploits make him a general and puts him on a political track under the Roman Emperor Tiberius. Promised a military governorship in Egypt, Pilate is instead assigned by Tiberius to become the prefect of Judea,...
- 1/8/2013
- by MIKE FLEMING JR
- Deadline
First announced last year , Warner Bros. has plans to bring to the screen the life story of Pontius Pilate, the 1st century Roman prefect who authorized the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Today, Deadline reports that Brad Pitt is eyeing the leading role. The screenplay, from Woman on Top and Tortilla Soup screenwriter Vera Blasi, is said to offer a human look at the religious figure and, according to Blasi, is primarily based in historical fact, detailing Pilate's life up until the fateful order. Blasi also supplied the screenplay for the upcoming historical drama Emperor , set to be directed by Peter Webber. Pitt most recently appeared in Killing Them Softly and can soon be seen on the big screen in Marc Forster's World War Z . (Photo Credit: Ivan Nikolov /...
- 1/7/2013
- Comingsoon.net
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