Biblical Drama Stars Jim Caviezel, James Faulkner and Oliver Martinez; Explores Last Days of Paul’s Life Under Emperor Nero in Rome
CULVER CITY, CA – (September 8, 2017)–Principal photography has begun on an inspirational drama about Paul, Apostle of Christ, from AFFIRM Films, a Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) company, starring Jim Caviezel (Passion of the Christ), James Faulkner (“Game of Thrones”), Olivier Martinez (SWAT), Joanne Whalley (“A.D.TheBible Continues”) and John Lynch (The Secret Garden). Filming continues through the end of September on location in Malta.
Paul, who goes from the most infamous persecutor of Christians to Christ’s most influential apostle, spends his last days awaiting execution by Emperor Nero in Rome. Paul is under the watchful eye of Mauritius, Mamertine Prison’s ambitious prefect, who seeks to understand how this broken old man can pose such a threat. As Paul’s days grow shorter, he feverishly works from prison to further the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and embolden his followers to stand strong in their faith against Roman persecution far greater than has ever been seen.
“Next to Jesus, no one played a more central role in the growth of early church than the Apostle Paul,” said AFFIRM Films Executive Vice President Rich Peluso. “He wrote a vast swath of the New Testament and traveled more than 10,000 miles by foot to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This gripping film dives deep into the final months before Paul’s execution under Nero as he reconciles his faith with his past persecution of the church.”
The movie is written and directed by Andrew Hyatt (Full of Grace). Produced by David Zelon (Soul Surfer) and TJ Berden (Full of Grace).
“Paul changed from murdering Christians to becoming their unlikely leader. His life personifies ‘forgiveness’, a concept that seems almost impossible today – but desperately needed.” Says Producer T.J. Berden. “We at ODB Films are overjoyed to be working alongside Sony AFFIRM to share this much-needed story with the world.”
David Zelon, who has produced two films for AFFIRM Films, brings his years of experience working at Mandalay Pictures to this project. He worked with Jim Caviezel on AFFIRM Films’ “When The Game Stands Tall,” and is excited to bring Caviezel into his first biblical role since “Passion of the Christ.”
The film is slated to release in 2018 through Sony’s AFFIRM Films.
Photo: L to R: Priscilla (Joanne Whalley), Luke (Jim Caviezel), and Aquila (John Lynch) contemplate fleeing Rome. © 2017 CTMG, Inc. All Rights Reserved.