Bill O’Reilly has partnered with Ridley Scott and National Geographic Channel for a third time with the film adaptation of Killing Jesus: A History, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
THR noted that the book by O’Reilly and Martin Dugard will hit bookstores on September 24, 2013, and added that production should begin sometime in the fall.
O’Reilly has agreed to act as executive producer on Killing Jesus and in comments to THR on Monday called the film “the big one,” adding that he liked “working with Nat Geo and Scott Free [Productions] because the B.S. component is very small.”
“These guys are right on my wavelength. We get a good screenplay, we shoot it, and we put it on,” O’Reilly added.
As the title implies, the story will focus on the final days in the life of Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified by Rome in what historians believe to be around 33 A.D.
O’Reilly called Jesus “the most famous person that has ever lived” adding that “the story is not only rich with detail, controversy, and drama, but also personal to so many people that I would not trust it to anyone else to bring to life on the screen.”
The film will follow on the heels of Killing Lincoln , which aired in February to 3.4 million viewers, and Killing Kennedy , which is now in pre-production.
NGC President Howard T. Owens said “partnering with Bill O’Reilly on his next two blockbuster titles is a real thrill for us, and clearly something our audience craves.”
“Scott Free Productions continue to be ideal partners as we work to increase our commitment to producing quality, smart, factual dramas and delivering authentic entertainment with substance,” Owens said.
Deadline had the press release on Monday. In it, Scott added that his company was “privileged to once again work with National Geographic Channel to bring Bill’s vision to the screen.”
It’s too early to lock down a release date for Killing Jesus , whose announcement follows on the heels of a well-received faith-based drama in The Bible mini-series .
Should NGC follow the Killing Lincoln pattern, it’s possible we could see this latest O’Reilly effort as early as Easter 2014.
Have you enjoyed O’Reilly’s take on Killing Lincoln and Killing Kennedy ? Are you game for a new Bill O’Reilly, Ridley Scott pairing on Killing Jesus ?
[Image via Wikipedia Commons ]
Here’s the trailer for O’Reilly’s Lincoln effort to give you an idea of what to expect: