Kingdom ComeA New Jesus Film Being Made in New Zealand

Photo by kiwilad, used under a Creative Commons Licence

Dean Wright, the Kiwi in charge of visual effects for the last two Lord of the Rings films and the first two Narnia films, is to direct a film about the life of Jesus. Kingdom Come is scheduled for filming at various locations across New Zealand in the spring (2009). The film, which at least one source says will be an "epic" with a "big budget", is being produced by South Vineyard, whose sparse website suggests that they are first timers. Having made their money in software company GrapeCity, South Vineyard's three, Japanese-based directors, will also act as executive producers.

There's quite a bit of news on this one down under, particularly amongst the local media. Outlets have been reporting how Lake Benmore (pictured above) will stand in for the Sea of Galilee, one of the majors sets will be in Wellington suburb Maupuia and how a herd of pigs from Waitomo will presumably being driven off a cliff somewhere near Wellington. There's also some video news footage on the casting of extras, although they seem try to wring out more humour from the story than I think is actually there.

The aim is for the film to be released in 2010, although production has been delayed by a couple of weeks. There's no news yet on who is to play Jesus.

Incidentally, I think this is the first Jesus film to be made in Oceania even though the money is coming from American and Japanese business men. I guess this is the reverse of the situation with The Passion of the Christ where an Australian put up the money to make a film in the US (though it was filmed in Italy).

Thanks to Paul McPherson for the tip off on this one.