In a momentous gathering at the Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C., an exhilarating revelation was shared with attendees, promising a cinematic masterpiece that’s set to captivate hearts and souls in 2025. A new animated adaptation of the timeless classic, “JESUS,” originally released in 1979, is poised to follow in the footsteps of its predecessor by leading millions to Christ.
This awe-inspiring film, meticulously crafted around the Gospel of Luke, promises to unfold the divine journey of Jesus Christ as depicted in the sacred text. With an anticipated production timeline spanning two years, eager audiences can look forward to witnessing its grandeur on the silver screen in 2025.
The visionary team responsible for breathing new life into “JESUS” shares a profound connection with the Jesus Film Project, the very organization behind the cherished original. The groundbreaking success of the initial rendition, translated into an astonishing 2,100 languages, laid the foundation for this reimagined masterpiece. The revamped script, cleverly designed to echo the essence of the original dialogue, streamlines the translation process into 2000 languages, facilitating a global outreach.
Explaining the rationale behind using the medium of film to propagate the story of Jesus, the Jesus Film Project eloquently asserts, “To hear a story is powerful. But to witness it unfold before your eyes, and to hear the words of Jesus in your own language, is truly life-altering. That’s why the Jesus Film Project has chosen the medium of video to introduce Jesus to the world.”
Furthermore, it emphasizes the unique power of film to bring narratives to life in ways that surpass all other forms of storytelling. This medium transcends linguistic and cultural boundaries, fostering a profound connection between the audience and the story in a manner that written and spoken words simply cannot replicate. The claim stands that these films have touched the lives of countless individuals across the globe.
Josh Newell, the Executive Director of the Jesus Film Project, expounded on the movie’s creation, revealing that they entrusted the animation to the esteemed Premise Entertainment studio. He elaborated, “Our vision was clear – to craft this film, drawing inspiration from the original ‘JESUS’ film.”
Newell went on to highlight the distinctiveness of the new animated adaptation, affirming, “What sets this film apart is that animation resonates deeply with today’s and tomorrow’s generations. We aim to present the timeless story of Jesus in innovative and refreshing ways, reaching out to those who may encounter it for the very first time. Animation will provide an unparalleled experience.”
Addressing the organization’s foray into the digital realm, Newell shared, “We envision the potential of integrating the characters from this film into emerging digital platforms like the metaverse, augmented reality, and virtual reality. We have yet to explore the full spectrum of ministry applications for this digital future.”
Similarly, Producer Ray Aguerrevere expressed his excitement about the multifaceted use of the assets generated during production. He emphasized, “This film’s impact extends far beyond traditional cinema. We’re creating assets that will not only yield a timeless masterpiece but also enable us to craft immersive experiences in the realms of AR, VR, and the metaverse.”
Continuing, he highlighted the potential to repurpose physical assets online, stating, “These sets, locations, characters, and props will serve as building blocks for creating immersive experiences that enhance the audience’s connection with the content, offering a unique perspective beyond what they’ll witness in the film.”
This forthcoming adaptation of “JESUS” promises to be a transformative experience, not only through the power of its narrative but also through its innovative approach to storytelling. As anticipation mounts, the world eagerly awaits the day when this enchanting masterpiece graces the silver screen.