Anthony Hopkins stars alongside emerging Israeli actress Noa Cohen in the upcoming biblical thriller Mary, and Hopkins plays King Herod in the film.
The movie is described as a coming-of-age story that follows Mary, who “is shunned following the otherworldly conception of her child and forced into hiding.”
King Herod’s “relentless drive to maintain power at any cost ignites the murderous pursuit of the newborn child that he believes is a threat to his reign on the throne.”
The story also sees the “young Mary and Joseph on the run and having to hide their baby, Jesus, at all costs.”
The movie was directed by DJ Caruso (Disturbia, xXx: Return of Xander Cage), and it has already completed production.
Hopkins said in a statement: “At this time of my life, I’m drawn to the challenge of complex scripts. As well, the level of the detail given to this production with extraordinary sets, props and costumes — makes me proud to be a part of this.”
Producer Aloe added: “Hopkins was primed to play King Herod the Great. He embodied this historical figure of a king who was steeped in mental illness and greed with such great ferocity.”
Caruso commented: “I want to give the world a portrayal of the real human Mary. Her story has a lesser-known beginning; it is profoundly worthy of being told. Portraying her from birth through childhood and presenting her as a human being with apprehensions and fears will be a celebration of everything inspiring and gut-wrenching about her journey.”
Said Joel Osteen: “What drew me to this project was how the script represents a real breakthrough in the telling of Mary’s story. It draws the audience into her incredible journey in becoming one of the most influential women in all of history.”
Timothy Michael Hayes (BirdsEye) wrote the original screenplay after consulting with priests, bishops, baptist pastors, rabbis, Mormons and Muslims along with biblical scholars and theologians.
The film also stars Mila Harris as Young Mary, Ido Tako as Joseph, Stephanie Nur as Salome, Susan Brown as Anna the Prophetess, Ori Pfeffer as Joachim, Hilla Vidor as Anne, Gudmundur Thorvaldsson as Marcellus and Dudley O’Shaughnessy, Eamon Farren, Mili Avital, Milo Djurovic, Charley Boon, Kelsie Lewis and Jade Croot.
