SOUND OF FREEDOM Director Reveals Next Project
By Movieguide® Contributor
Angel Studios just announced that a new film called BETHLEHEM, directed by Alejandro Monteverde (SOUND OF FREEDOM), is in the works. It explores Jesus’ early life.
“BETHLEHEM is an epic saga of an extraordinary young woman who will do anything to protect her newborn son from the murderous King Herod, who is obsessed with finding and killing the child,” a synopsis reads. “The film reimagines one of the most infamous stories in history — Herod’s slaughter of the innocents in Bethlehem — as a profound spiritual thriller.”
The film stars several big-name actors including Sam Worthington (AVATAR) as Herrod’s son Antipater, Ben Mendelsohn (ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY) as the devil Nahash and Gael Garcia Bernal (MOZART IN THE JUNGLE) as Joachim.
Deva Cassel will play Mary. The actor playing Herrod is under wraps for “creative reason,” per Deadline.
“When I first met Alejandro and experienced his passion for filmmaking, I felt like I had just encountered the next Frank Capra [the director of IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE],” Jordan Harmon, president of Angel Studios, told Newsweek. “His approach to sharing stories is always unique, accessible, and powerful. I am thrilled to experience firsthand how he is bringing the story of BETHLEHEM to life.”
The film is currently filming in Morocco and is slated to release in 2025. However, no specific date has been announced.
READ MORE: WHAT MAKES ANGEL STUDIOS STAND APART
Monteverde’s 2023 hit SOUND OF FREEDOM, produced by Angel Studios, set records.
“SOUND OF FREEDOM is one of the highest-grossing independent films in history with $250M in worldwide box office receipts,” the press release read. “It also received a rare A+ CinemaScore and has a 99% Popcorn meter on Rotten Tomatoes. Equally impressive, CABRINI received an A CinemaScore and is Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes with a 90% critics score and a 98% Popcorn Meter.”
