Charisma News reported Sunday that megachurch pastor Joel Osteen will produce his first film, titled Mary, Mother of Christ. The movie will be directed by Alister Grierson, and the film’s original screenplay was written by Benedict Fitzgerald, the screenwriter for The Passion of the Christ, and Barbara Nicolosi. Israeli actress Odeya Rush will play Mary; the cast will also include Julia Ormond and Peter O’Toole.
Osteen commented, “Mary is portrayed as a brave, faithful young woman who readily embraces her divine destiny regardless of the sacrifices and hardships she must endure.” The film will be shot in the Middle East and will be distributed by Lionsgate in the U.S. next year.
Osteen’s church, Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas, welcomes over 43,000 attenders each week. Osteen’s best-selling books include Your Best Life Now and Every Day a Friday.
