Jesus is just the beginning. Dallas Jenkins, the creator of the series The Chosenwants to develop an MCU-style extended universe of the Bible.
While some people struggle to find the most obscure novels, comics, mangas and mythologies to adapt them for the big and small screens, director Dallas Jenkins has it all figured out. He went looking for his source of inspiration in the world’s best-selling book: the Bible. Sa series The Chosenwhich traces the life of Jesus (played by Jonathan Roumie), was launched thanks to a crowdfunding operation which allowed it to raise more than 10 million dollars.
After four seasons, and cumulative audiences estimated at 543 million views (thanks The Figaro), Jenkins is aiming higher and higher, and wants to develop a Biblical Cinematic Universe.. Between that, The Passion of the Christ 2 which will be: “an acid trip” according to Mel Gibson and Martin Scorsese who is preparing a film on the life of Jesus, if you do not find faith in the months and years to come, you will only have to subscribe to Écran Large to hope to save your soul.
The Boys
To Bible or not to Bible
After a legal imbroglio with Angel Studios, Dallas Jenkins has recovered the rights to The Chosenand founded the new stable 5&2 Studios, which will be dedicated to the production of his future creations that are part of the same universe as his series. When we speak of the same universe, we obviously mean: inspired by the Bible, and validated by the Almighty himself..
The studio’s official press release states that Jenkins’ goal is to « produce Bible-inspired stories by telling authentic, human stories and engaging the audience« .
While its flagship series The Chosen will end in three seasons (the fifth is in production, season 6 will be dedicated to the Crucifixion, and the 7th to the Resurrection), Dallas Jenkins has already stated that among his new projects, he is working on an animated seriesa show hosted by adventurer/writer Bear Grylls (Man vs Wild), and on a multi-season series dedicated to the life of Moses. The 10 Commandments have only to behave themselves.
“Okay, this is my first stand-up, be cool”
The Chosen: Jesus 2, the return
Dallas Jenkins explained that 5&2 Studios’ first production will therefore be the cartoon. The Chosen Adventuresdedicated to the youth of Jesus. The initial pitch: Young Jesus meets a group of children in the desert. Jenkins said he had some leeway in choosing this setting, in order to tell new stories.
“There’s room here to tell the story of Jesus through the eyes of children in the whimsical format of animation. We thought there was something to be done in seeing Jesus through the eyes of children. […]. But what if we took the time to do it, in the form of a witty and fun animated show that adults could enjoy?
The collaboration with Bear Grylls will be called The Chosen in the Wild with Bear GryllsDallas Jenkins will be on camera alongside the adventurer, who will subject him to various challenges. Through this show, Jenkins hopes to develop ” the idea of partnering with other people who have their own audiences, and allowing us to bring our ideas into their world. » Will faith save him from a hungry grizzly bear? We can’t wait to see.
Moses in cartoon form already exists, it’s The Prince of Egypt.
MOSES, THE NEW TONY SOPRANO
As for the Moses-centric series, Jenkins wants to think big. He already has a clear plan in mind, and the series must be divided in three seasons : the first dedicated to the exodus from Egypt, the second is the Exodus through the Red Sea, the third season will describe the 40 years of wandering in the desert.
Jenkins goes so far as compare Moses and Tony Soprano, in a metaphor that is almost a sporting feat:
“In the middle of all this was a reluctant Tony Soprano, the guy who was given the job of leading the greatest family in the world—and he didn’t want it. Tony Soprano was still fighting for power, and Moses was still trying to give it up. And yet he was the one God chose to lead the greatest religious and cultural movement in the history of the world. And he wasn’t qualified. He’s tasked with verbally confronting the oppressors and the slave owners and convincing them to let the Jewish people go.”
Who is the Boss????
The creator of The Chosen does not intend to stop there, sincea series on the Apostleset another one about Joseph are also in the works. With such a desire for sprawling development, it is impossible not to compare the philosophy of 5&2 Studios to that of a Marvel Cinematic Universe, or the extended universe of Star Wars. A comparison of Jenkis rejects, since for him, his projects are controlled and measured, unlike the MCU and Star Wars Who ” have sometimes been confronted with oversaturation« . This is called having a sense of understatement.
And since Mr. Jenkins doesn’t seem to need to sleep, he will also be directing the Christmas movie. The Best Christmas Pageant Everstarring Judy Greer and Pete Holmes. A feature film based on a tale of the same name by Barbara Robinson, which will arrive in American cinemas on November 8, 2024.
