British film production company Film4 debuts the first look at the actress who is playing the infamous biblical figure.
- Nov 28, 2017
AceShowbiz - First-look image of "Mary Magdalene" star Rooney Mara has arrived online, showing the actress as the titular character who looks serene as well as beautiful. Before Film4 officially released the image, there were set photos of burial scene and viral photo of Mara taking a cigarette break under crucified Joaquin Phoenix, who plays Jesus.
Film4 also revealed that the film's first official trailer would be released on Wednesday, November 29. The caption read, "Here's a first look at Rooney Mara in Garth Davis's Film4-backed drama Mary Magdalene. Trailer coming Wednesday..."
Here's a first look at Rooney Mara in Garth Davis's Film4-backed drama Mary Magdalene. Trailer coming Wednesday... pic.twitter.com/y5wrcPPsh0
— Film4 (@Film4) November 27, 2017
Mary Magdalene is the most popular female follower of Jesus as told by the Bible's New Testament. Her presence sparked many speculations and interpretations, such as a theory that she was the wife of Jesus which was made popular by Martin Scorsese's "The Last Temptation of Jesus Christ" and "The Da Vinci Code". The upcoming film will tell Jesus' story from Mary's point of view.
The film can either show Mary Magdalene as the woman recorded in historical documents or take another thought-provoking viewpoint, as Jesus is portrayed by Phoenix, Mara's real-life boyfriend. Since Mary Magdalene has been a topic of controversy and argument, it will be interesting to see how the woman is portrayed in the film.
"Mary Magdalene" was originally set to be out this month by The Weinstein Company. But following multiple sexual allegations against Harvey Weinstein, Sony Pictures took over the distribution. The film's release date is pushed back to March 30, 2018 in Easter weekend in order to give it a more religious-friendly release.
The upcoming biblical epic is helmed by "Lion" director Garth Davis based on a script by Helen Edmundson and Philippa Goslett. Davis reunites with Mara who worked with him in "Lion" as well as the film's cinematographer, Greig Fraser. Mara and Phoenix are joined by Chiwetel Ejiofor as Jesus' disciple, Peter, and French actor Tahar Rahim.
The official synopsis of "Mary Magdalene" reads, "Set in the Holy Land in the first century C.E., a young woman leaves her small fishing village and traditional family behind to join a radical new social movement. At its head is a charismatic leader, Jesus of Nazareth, who promises that the world is changing. Mary is searching for a new way of living, and an authenticity that is denied her by the rigid hierarchies of the day. As the notoriety of the group spread and more are drawn to follow Jesus' inspirational message, Mary’s spiritual journey places her at the heart of a story that will lead to the capital city of Jerusalem, where she must confront the reality of Jesus' destiny and her own place within it."
