'Son of God' movie 'a love story,' say husband-wife producers
"Son of God" premieres in theaters nationwide Feb. 28. It tells the story of Jesus through the eyes of an elderly St. John -- the only apostle who did not meet a martyr's fate -- on the isle of Patmos.
During a Feb. 4 interview with Catholic News Service while Downey and Burnett were in Washington to promote the movie, Downey said the endorsement of religious leaders is a big help. Two Catholic prelates have endorsed "Son of God": Cardinal Donald W. Wuerl of Washington and Archbishop Jose H. Gomez of Los Angeles. High-profile Protestant leaders endorsing the film include Bishop T.D. Jakes and the Rev. Rick Warren. "Cardinal Wuerl has been so much of a help to us," she added.
Burnett said the Anti-Defamation League had also given its own stamp of approval, based in large part on the depiction of events that lead up to Jesus' death: Pontius Pilate having been the fourth Roman governor of a politically restive Judea in the last 20 years; Jerusalem's temple leaders, embodied by Caiaphas, being aware of Pilate's threat to shut down the temple, even at Passover, if Jewish unrest is not tamped down; and the arrival into the holy city of a Nazarene miracle-worker whose reputation precedes him. Burnett added his hope that "Son of God" audiences "could actually see themselves as the disciples" in this stew of political intrigue.
One of Downey's favorite moments in the movie is not from the dramatic side of the movie, but something that wasn't even in the script. In a scene presaging Jesus' feeding of the five thousand, Jesus and the Apostles are in a boat near the coastline. Children running along the shore wave to Jesus, and Jesus (Diogo Morgado) waves back and smiles.
"That wasn't Jesus waving," Downey said. "That was Diogo waving." "We got so much feedback (after the miniseries) from people saying they like what Diogo Morgado brought to the role."Also read:
Wary of Hollywood's 'Noah,' Christians Back 'Son of God' Instead
Churches Buying Tickets for 'Son of God,' Interest Level Akin to Summer Blockbuster
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