Fans Pour Funding and Faith Into a Hit Drama About Jesus – WSJ

MIDLOTHIAN, Texas Last winter 2,000 people costumed in robes and headscarves gathered on a grassy slope here to shoot the season finale of a drama with no ties to any Hollywood studio, network or streaming service. The Chosen, a saga about the adult life of Jesus and his disciples, is financed completely by its audience. Most of the extras had paid $1,000 each to be part of the climactic scene leading up to Jesus Sermon on the Mount.

Now, down the hill from that spot, construction crews are building a roughly $20 million production complex dedicated to The Chosen. They re pouring concrete for a soundstage the size of a football field, soon to be flanked by a cafeteria and workshops for sets and costumes. Next, they ll break ground for a replica of Capernaum, an ancient village on the Sea of Galilee.

Dallas Jenkins, the filmmaker who created The Chosen, says the show s style is modeled more on Friday Night Lights than other Christian TV shows and movies. Mary Magdalene relapses into vice. The apostle Matthew is on the autism spectrum. Jesus miracles get back stories.

By fleshing out biblical characters across multiple seasons, the show has inspired fan discussion, debate and squabbling on a level more typical of the Marvel or Star Wars series. Except that for Chosen fans, the dynamic is fueled by religious faith.

via www.wsj.com

LWJ loves this show. Personally, not so much. But I bet it’s the future.