Stone to Appear in Sweet Baby Jesus

Photo by Siebbi, used under a Creative Commons Licence

Sweet Baby Jesus, the modernised nativity story starring Pixie Lott, has been adding to its cast list, according to deadline.com. Sharon Stone is set to play the Mary-character's mother. It also appears that Sam Rockwell has been replaced in the role of Joseph by Adrien Brody. Bette Midler will play the innkeeper.

Latest on Sweet Baby Jesus

Photo by jaimelondonboy, used under a Creative Commons Licence

Back in 2008 I posted about the film Sweet Baby Jesus that was lining up Britney Spears to play a 'modern day' Virgin Mary. I've heard precious little about this film since then until today when Jeffrey Overstreet linked to an article at Deadline London.

It appears that Spears has been replaced by Pixie Lott (pictured), one of the gazillion identikit, young, blond, sort-of-musician sort-of-actress, types whom I'm no longer able to distinguish from one another. The Deadline piece though focuses more on the announcement that Joseph will be played by Sam Rockwell (Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Iron Man 2). Filming is due to take place in Bethlehem, Maryland in August under the direction of Peter Hewitt. Bette Midler and Kim Cattrall are also lined up to star.

Empire and Variety also have the story, with the latter adding that the film will actually be set in the seventies.

Spears to Play Virgin Mary?Sweet Baby Jesus

According to Us Weekly Magazine, Britney Spears has been offered the role of Jesus's mother, Mary, in an up and coming comedy on his birth.

The character Mary is a pregnant 19-year-old unsure of her baby's paternity who goes into labor on Christmas Eve in Bethlehem, Maryland, as rumors swirl that the birth is Jesus Christ's second coming.

"I had to convince my partners because they were like, 'Oh, no. Britney?'" the film's French producer, Philippe Rebboah, tells Us. "But I thought it was brilliant. It's a bit ironic that she would play the Virgin Mary, no?"

Rebboah says Spears is reviewing the script and will make a decision within days. The film is set to shoot in March. Also mulling roles: Lily Tomlin and Melanie Griffith.

From that looks like this is a combination of a second coming story and a modern, satirical, take on the Nativity, sort of Hail Mary meets The Seventh Sign.

Thanks to Peter Chattaway for spotting this one.