Hollywood looks to the Bible for screenplay potential

    

NEW YORK - Studios and filmmakers are rediscovering a classic text as source material for upcoming mainstream films: the Bible.


Nearly 10 years after the blockbuster success of Mel Gibson’s “The Passion of the Christ,” which earned $611.9 million worldwide, studios are looking to the Good Book for good material.
Future films include:

• LD Entertainment is financially backing  ”Resurrection,” a drama set immediately after Jesus’ death and directed by “Hatfields & McCoys” director Kevin Reynolds.
• Paramount will release “Noah,” a $125 million adaptation starring Russell Crowe in 2014.
•  20th Century Fox is developing “Exodus,” a Moses film starring Christian Bale.
• Warner Bros. has another Moses-themed film titled “Gods And Kings,” which Steven Spielberg flirted with directing.
• Warner Bros. also is working on a film on Pontius Pilate, rumored to possibly include Brad Pitt.
• Sony is producing Will Smith’s “The Redemption of Cain,” on the sibling rivalry of Cain and Abel.
• Lionsgate has been developing “Mary Mother of Christ,” described as “a prequel to ‘The Passion of the Christ”’ and rumored to include Ben Kingsley.