Explosion of faith-based films has Hollywood taking note


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SALT LAKE CITY — In the early days of the film industry, Bible-based stories were big business. "The Ten Commandments" with Charlton Heston was hugely profitable for its era and remains one of the most popular films ever made.

Then the popularity of Bible stories waned, and moviemakers turned to other content for their films. However, with the recent success of movies like "God is Not Dead," "Son of God" and "Noah," audiences have proven they are hungry for this type of entertainment, and Hollywood producers are taking note.

Devon Franklin, president and CEO of Franklin Entertainment, has been a part of faith-based entertainment for years.

“When you look at a movie like the 'Ten Commandments,' it was one of the biggest movies ever. I feel like those movies at the time served a great purpose, and I think that the movies that are coming out now are serving a great purpose as well,” he said.

As a motivational speaker, preacher and author of “Produced By Faith,” Franklin has seen a change in the entertainment industry.

“I see that people are more open than I have witnessed before in the entertainment industry. I've been in Hollywood for about 18 years, and I’ve always been in touch with my faith and what I believe and have never really been too afraid to just own that," Franklin said. "Yet it’s interesting to see in the marketplace now — from television and film and the conversations that I’m a part of — it feels like the industry and the people are more open to it. It’s really exciting and very rewarding because now there is a chance to do things that maybe a few years ago we couldn't do.”

Religion in movies has once again become big business. "The Chronicles of Narnia" took in nearly $1.6 billion with three films; "The Passion of the Christ" took in over $600 million worldwide; and just last year, "Heaven is for Real" earned nearly $80 million and "Son of God" grossed close to $70 million.

Franklin credits some of the resurgence of faith in film on The History Channel's "Bible" mini-series produced by Mark Burnett and Roma Downey.

“There have certainly been a number of great faith-based movies that have done incredibly well, but I feel like when 'The Bible' series aired, it showed everyone that there are millions upon millions of people in this country that really want to see more spiritual content, and when we program to them, they are going to respond,” Franklin said.

Joshua Dubois, former director of faith-based initiatives for President Obama, also felt 'The Bible' series had an impact on Hollywood.

“A hundred million people saw 'The Bible' series. That's one of the biggest television series of all time. Nothing else has approached that level of magnitude and penetration. So when those numbers are there, Hollywood responds,” Dubois said.

Not only has the film industry seen a windfall of faith in film, but with the new NBC series "A.D. The Bible Continues," television programming is ushering in a new era.

“I think there is a big audience for these kinds of things, and where else do you get it on this scale?" said NBC Chairman Robert Greenblatt. "There are a million movies being developed. I know the 'Ten Commandments' is being remade and 'Exodus' was recently released; it’s like we've been revisiting these stories for decades, but I think you’re going to see more of them on television. I do think that there is such an audience out there and people are hungry for things that can make them think about life and what it all means and where we are.”

The new A.D. series will begin its 12-week run Sunday, April 5 at 8 p.m. on NBC. For more information on faith in films, watch the KSL special "Finding Faith in Prime Time" on Easter Sunday at 4 p.m., or watch it streaming live on KSL.com.


Angie Denison is a graduate of Brigham Young University and is an executive producer over Special Projects at KSL TV. Contact her at adenison@ksl.com.

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