Mark Burnett Works on Film Version of ‘The Bible’
The record-breaking miniseries The Bible may be on its way to the big screen.
Producer Mark Burnett divulged Monday that he is preparing a three-hour movie version of the hit series, which aired on the History Channel.
“We’re cutting a movie version right now, a three-hour version of Jesus, and [we have] many, many offers from theaters globally,” Burnett, the series’ executive producer, told The Hollywood Reporter.
Burnett, who is hoping for a fall release, says the film will focus on the Resurrection—and hinted that it will go farther.
“Very few people have ever done anything beyond the crucifixion. No one has ever seen Pentecost before. And the Ascension. And the following trial of Peter and John,” he told the New York Post.
Burnett and his co-executive producer, wife Roma Downey, have no studio lined up for the film but may release it independently.
The duo also plans to create additional installments for television that would be “in the same world” as the original.
“We feel there is a void, and we’re filling that void,” Burnett commented.
The Bible debuted on March 3 to 13.1 million viewers, becoming the highest-rated cable show of the year. On Easter Sunday, 11.7 million viewers tuned in to its last episode. It is also the fastest-selling DVD for a miniseries ever.
“It’s a God voice,” Burnett told The Hollywood Reporter. “It’s clearly a calling; clearly, we felt it was something we had to do, and too many things happened to explain it any other way. It’s a juggernaut, and it’s not going to slow down.”
