This month filming begins on
Mary, Mother of Christ an independent film exploring the life of our Blessed Mother. Before fear sets in that this could be another Hollywood trashing of traditional religious faith you should know that the script was written by Barbara Nicolosi (a devout catholic and founder of
ACT One--a screenwriting school aiming to empower Christians in Hollywood) and
The Passion of the Christ co-writer Benedict Fitzgerald.
Actress Camilla Belle, (
10,000 BC) will play the role of the Virgin Mary. Other A-list actors in the film include Peter O'Toole in the role of Symeon; Jonathan Rhys Meyers (
Match Point, TV's
The Tudors) in the dual roles of Lucifer and Gabriel, and Jessica Lange as Anna the Prophetess. As for Pacino, he will have to tap into his prior experience playing a mob boss (
The Godafther) and the devil himself (
The Devil’s Advocate) as he portays the evil Herod, who led the slaughter of newborns in Bethlehem at the time of Christ’s birth.
MGM plans to release the film wide in 2,000-plus theaters April 2, 2010, which is Good Friday.