Screenwriting : Why mainly the big 5 production companies (paramount, werner bros. etc.)would be interested in old testament screenplays? by Mordechai Landsberg

You presume to much.

This is a topic of some interest to me; I studied religion in college and enjoy writing stories that use theology and religious mythology and narrative. Seems like a conversation many people are having nowadays. Biblical epics were huge in classical Hollywood and we just saw the unprecedented success of four faith-related films do pretty well in the box office. Most of what I've been reading talks about the surprise success of these films outside of 'in-house distribution' (ie. films circulating within the church or religious circuits they originate in) as showing that there is obviously an audience for this material, regardless of what you believe. Given the trend of Hollywood to chase the lightning, I imagine we'll be seeing a few more (Ridley Scott's Exodus has already been in the works for a while and SyFy's "Dominion" (a TV sequel to "Legion" if you remember that 2010 film)) For us baby writers (I don't mean to be presumptuous, I speak for myself), I imagine the "big budget" restrictions of writing a Biblical Epic spec would restrict our chances much in the same way as writing any big budget film would. Particularly since it has to do with religion, it can be a risky area to play in for a no-name writer. HOWEVER, given those box-office numbers, it might not be a bad idea to have a low-budget, smartly written religious myth spec handy in your body of work :p

Mordechai: This is a topic near and dear to me. Two weeks ago, I sent a list of screenplays to my literary agent and he requested my biblical script called "Journey of Mortals" about Paul the Apostle. I was rather surprised he picked that one, since I thought it was a long shot. On Sunday, he sent me an email saying he really liked it and "who had I sent it too before him?". I told him none of my contacts were not interested in biblical material. I'm hoping he can get it into someone's hands. My story has some sword and sandals elements and would require a sizable budget and some CGI. Anyway, we'll see what happens. Lord, are you listening?

I think you have it backwards. The small indie religious films are the ones making money, and the big expensive studio films like NOAH are flopping. There may be an issue with period films and cost that creates problems with the smaller producers, so just make sure your script can be made on a budget. One of the issues with religious movies is that they don't play well outside the USA. HEAVEN IS FOR REAL has made $89m on a $12m budget, but made only $3m in the rest of the world (when most USA movies make 70 percent of their income from outside the USA).

As someone with substantial experience in the faith-films market, I wanted NOAH to be successful. Sadly, I believe Paramount threw away at least $100m box office by allowing the subplot of Noah wanting to kill his grandchild. That should have been a deal killer at the script level on a film with this budget. That completely alienated an audience that really wanted to see and enjoy the film. However, that film, unlike other faith films, seems to be doing better abroad than in the US. Let's not forget SON OF GOD, which did remarkably well for a film that was essentially a rehash of material already released on cable. I know the people behind GOD'S NOT DEAD and I wish them well, but the amazing box office of that film is more a testimony to savvy marketing than storytelling. They made the film part of the culture war and exhorted churches to get out and support them. And they did. I don't think the producers will be able to go to that well repeatedly. (The churches did not come out for faith-friendly, though not particularly religious, MOM'S NIGHT OUT and the film seriously underperformed.) To me, HEAVEN IS FOR REAL is the film that might define the faith film for Hollywood and the general public. It was a real film with quality writing, direction, performances and production values. It's success wasn't based entirely on special pleading to churches (though their was some marketing to that effect.) It was a film that could stand on its own merits and attracted moviegoers outside of the core faith market. Hopefully, there will be room for a few more of those films....

Sean, I absolutely agree with your comment about the Noah subplot re killing his grandchild - it alienated me and it didn't do anything to enhance the film at all - did Aronofsky think this was raising the stakes? He got that wrong from where I sit.

I personally liked that Noah subplot; I thought it took Noah's dedication to it's logical extension and really put him in the toughest corner where he had to choose between his dedication to God's mission and his family. However, it does make sense that that would alienate a lot of people. Your note about Heaven is for Real is interesting, I'll be sure to check it out

Personally, I like to go to the cinema to be entertained, threatening to kill your grandchild in the manner that he did, did not enhance the experience for me - also, you would think a Supreme Being could at least "speak" to Noah rather than confuse the poor bastard with "visions", didn't like that aspect either, and then there were the Fallen Angels, geez, what a mess, what a poor choice...

I think Noah brought to the screen the most important decision a man ever had to make. I think the arch of the character leads us through a character driven plot where the essence leaves the wickedness of mankind in such visceral truth that Noah's duty becomes understandable, but his failure rewarding. I didn't like the changes to the story where Tubal-Cain boards the ship instead of Ham's bride. From what I know about the story, Ham goes into the forest and is seduced by an evil angel that becomes his bride, and boards the ark with them. What a hack, I know, it's a movie, and stuff’s gotta change. Biblical movies will always be controversial, just like any translation of the bible.

NOAH is a very dark story. Think about the survivor guilt. I don't expect the Bible when I go to the movies, I didn't think the killing the grandchild subplot worked at all.