All-Star Cast Brings ‘King of Kings’ to Life: A Dickensian Animated Adventure

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In an innovative move, “The King of Kings” transforms the works of Charles Dickens into a modern, big-budget screenplay. This project is marketed by its creators as “the initial significant animated religious film since ‘The Prince of Egypt.’

The movie chronicles the journey of the talented storyteller, Dickens, who, together with his youngest son Walter, Charles, and their feline companion Willa, immerse themselves in a fantastical tale based on the life of Jesus Christ.

Drawing inspiration from Charles Dickens’ brief tale “The Life of Our Lord,” this movie presents Kenneth Branagh lending his voice to the role of Charles Dickens, Uma Thurman as Catherine Dickens, Mark Hamill as King Herod, Pierce Brosnan as Pontius Pilate, Ben Kingsley as Caiaphas the Priest, and Forest Whitaker as Peter. Oscar Isaac provides the voice for Jesus Christ in this production.

The opening scene of the film depicts Walter expressing his desire to hear an enchanting, grandiose tale to his father. This moment echoes the “Princess Bride” grandfather scenes, but it offers a fresh twist as it unfolds within the realm of animation.

Charles Dickens penned “The Life of Our Lord” around 1846, composing it privately for yearly family Christmas readings. However, this tale was unknown to the general public until its publication more than fifty years post-Dickens’ death in 1934.

The film respects the narrative by showcasing the high-quality visuals achievable in contemporary animation. The characters display incredibly nuanced movements, emotions, textures, and poses.

In a first directorial venture, skilled visual effects animator and storyboard artist Seong-ho Jang, who has previously worked on films like “Joint Security Area,” “Spartacus,” “Journey to the West,” and “Last Knights,” is at the helm of “The King of Kings.

In South Korea and the animation world, Jang has earned a reputation for pushing boundaries and raising the bar in terms of quality within the realm of animated media, thanks to his work as both co-producer and co-writer.

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Rob Edwards (“Wreck-It Ralph”) is a longtime collaborator on “The King of Kings.” He has lent his writing skills to various films such as “Treasure Planet,” which garnered an Oscar nomination, and “The Princess and the Frog,” which received nods for both an Academy Award and a Golden Globe.

As a devoted admirer, I’m proud to share that, much like how I cherish the memories from “Full House,” “In Living Color,” and “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” Edwards has left an indelible mark on these iconic shows as a writer. Moreover, his expertise extends to the magical worlds of Disney, where he contributed to the enchanting tales of “Tangled” and “Frozen.

In collaboration on “The King of Kings” alongside Jang, we have Woo Hyung Kim – a BAFTA-winning filmmaker who was also nominated for the esteemed Palme d’Or at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival (The Little Drummer Girl).

In South Korea, the home country of collaborators Jang and Kim, Christianity saw significant growth starting from the 1970s. Today, Christians comprise about 31% of the population, making South Korea the East Asian nation with the highest Christian population. Remarkably, South Korea dispatched more missionaries worldwide than any country other than the United States, which is significantly larger in size.

Participation in churches in South Korea increased significantly up until the late 2000s. However, reports indicate that young people began voicing dissatisfaction over church corruption scandals and perceived superficiality of megachurches in Seoul around this time.

In a similar vein to how the decline of the Christian church in the United States led to introspection, prayer, and ultimately stabilization with hints of renewed growth, the Christian community in South Korea is coming to realize that the faith flourishes when it emphasizes the straightforward and relatable message of spreading the Gospel and applying its teachings to one’s life.

It strikes me that perhaps Jang, Kim, and Edwards yearned to channel their talents into narratives that resonate deeply with them? Their previous secular endeavors include Jang’s “The Demons Strike Back” and Kim’s tenure at Disney. They collaboratively produced the critically acclaimed “The Taste of Money.” The forthcoming “The King of Kings,” I believe, signifies a profound expression of the producers’, artists’, and writers’ devotion and belief in Jesus.

In the realms of Charles Dickens and Jesus Christ, the renowned musical director Tae Seong Kim creates the music fittingly titled “The King of Kings.” On the other hand, the impressive ensemble of voice actors in this film is primarily due to the exceptional casting skills of Jamie Thomason, a highly successful casting director who excels in animation.

The “King of Kings” sneak peek unveils an exclusive offer connected to the movie, brought to you by Angel Studios. If you win, you and your loved ones will journey from Victorian London to the Holy Land. Enter simply by reserving your movie tickets in advance online.

Discovering that Charles Dickens was not just the inventor of Tiny Tim or the writer of “A Christmas Carol,” but also a figure whose influence extends to modern-day events like local annual Dickens Faires, is invigorating. Moreover, there’s even debate about how he may have impacted the way we celebrate Christmas with his writings.

It will be widely acknowledged, in an awe-inspiring and festive manner, that Charles Dickens drew profound inspiration from the life of Jesus Christ and utilized his exceptional abilities to narrate His story.

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2025-03-04 18:03