Martin Scorsese to film adaptation of Shūsaku Endō’s book, A Life of Jesus, set mostly in present day
Academy Award-winning director Martin Scorsese has announced his next project, an adaptation of the book A Life of Jesus by Japanese Catholic writer Shūsaku Endō. Set to be an 80-minute film, Scorsese aims to shed light on the core teachings of Jesus and remove the negative connotations associated with organized religion.
In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, Scorsese explained that the film will be set largely in the present day and will explore the principles of Jesus without trying to convert or proselytize. He expressed his desire to make the film more accessible and take away the negative onus associated with religion. Scorsese hopes to encourage audiences to rethink their perspectives on religion, even if they ultimately reject it.
The director was inspired to embark on this project after meeting with Pope Francis in 2023 and participating in a conference on the Catholic Imagination. Scorsese expressed his response to the Pope’s appeal to artists by imagining and writing a screenplay for a film about Jesus.
Although Scorsese has a history of controversial religious-themed films, he is known for his thought-provoking approach to the subject matter. His previous works include The Last Temptation of Christ and Silence, both of which sparked debates and discussions about the portrayal of religious figures and themes.
Scorsese had initially revealed his plans to adapt the book The Wager by David Grann, but the production of the Life of Jesus adaptation has taken precedence for now. Despite the delay, Scorsese’s recent film, Killers of the Flower Moon, has been receiving critical acclaim and awards attention, with leads Lily Gladstone winning a Golden Globe for her performance.
Production for the Life of Jesus adaptation is set to begin in 2024, and Scorsese seems determined to continue his exploration of religious themes through cinema. The film is expected to bring a fresh perspective to the teachings of Jesus and contribute to discussions about organized religion in contemporary society.