Universal Pictures have this week released the first official trailer for Garth Davis’ upcoming film, Mary Magdalene, starring the likes of Rooney Mara, Joaquin Phoenix, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Tahar Rahim. You can see the teaser for the movie below:
Hoping to showcase the most authentic and human portrait of one of the world’s most misunderstood spiritual and historical figures, Davis here brings a biblical biopic to the big screen, with Rooney Mara in the titular role.
Viewers will start their journey with Mary in her young life, as she searches for a new way of living after being constricted by the traditional hierarchies of the past. Defying those she loves to join a new social movement, led by the charismatic Jesus of Nazareth (Phoenix), she quickly finds a place for herself within the group which takes her on an adventure to Jerusalem like none she’s ever experienced before.
Ejiofor takes on the role of Peter, with Rahim playing Judas Iscariot and Ryan Corr stepping into the shoes of Joseph.
The film is written by Helen Edmundson and Philipa Goslett, with Iain Canning, Emile Sherman and Liz Watts all serving as producers. Ute Leonhardt and Marco Valerio Pugini are also credited as line producers.
Now in post-production, the film has had a relatively quick schedule, having picked up Mara and Phoenix in the respective roles of Mary and Jesus in early 2016, before starting principal photography on October 3 of the same year. Two months later, on December 2, filming wrapped and all of the major behind-the-scenes work could get started.
Already without controversy, the movie was originally to be distributed by The Weinstein Company in the US and Canada, but after the sexual misconduct and abuse allegations levelled at the company’s founder Harvey Weinstein, Universal and director Davis began looking for a new distributor. Fortunately, they found one in Sony Pictures, and as they say, the rest is history!
Mary Magdalene comes to cinemas across the UK on March 16, 2018.
Tagged in Joaquin Phoenix Rooney Mara