As a seasoned film critic with a penchant for biblical narratives and a soft spot for television series that delve deep into the human condition, I must say I am intrigued by the ambitious endeavor of Dallas Jenkins to create a Biblical Shared Universe (BCU). The idea of expanding “The Chosen” universe, with spinoffs about Moses, Joseph, and the Apostles, is not only fascinating but also potentially groundbreaking.
The trend in Hollywood right now is expansive cinematic universes, and creator Dallas Jenkins has announced that he’s jumping on this bandwagon by extending the biblical universe. In a recent chat with Variety at the ChosenCon fan convention in Orlando, Florida, Jenkins shared his plans for 5&2 Studios – a new venture designed to establish The Chosen shared universe, or the Bible-inspired Universe (Biu) as another name suggests. This ambitious project will feature an animated series starring Emmy Award winner (from Black Bird) and Yvonne Orji (known for Insecure), along with spinoffs focusing on the lives of biblical characters such as Moses, Joseph, and the Apostles.
5&2 Studios’ strategy is to create stories inspired by the Bible, using genuine and relatable storytelling techniques and audience involvement. The forthcoming animated project will align with the same narrative flow as The Chosen, primarily focusing on Jesus’ encounters with a group of children he meets in the wilderness. Dallas Jenkins clarified his vision for the series by stating:
In a creative twist, we envision sharing the tale of Jesus in a playful, animated series, focusing on his story as seen through the innocent eyes of children. We felt this angle held potential, exploring Jesus from a fresh perspective. While this theme won’t be fully developed in our main show, we thought it could shine in its own, entertaining and intelligent animated spin-off. Our goal is to ensure that this project resonates strongly with audiences, not just being ‘okay,’ but truly loved. We can’t risk starting on a less-than-stellar note with our second project, so we aim for excellence.
Another item up for discussion is an improvised series titled “Surviving with Bear Grylls: The Challenge with Jenkins,” a six-episode production where renowned survivalist Bear Grylls will subject Jenkins to several tests.
The Chosen Creator Likens Moses to Tony Soprano
The TV series titled “The Chosen” recently concluded its fifth season, and production for seasons 6 and 7 is underway. As per a recent update, the sixth season will delve into the tale surrounding Jesus’ Crucifixion, while the seventh season will revolve around his Resurrection. Throughout its broadcast, this series has been met with various debates, as some viewers have expressed dissatisfaction regarding the employment of LGBT crew members (a concern that has been refuted by certain actors from the show). Other audiences have voiced concerns about the series’ portrayal and accuracy in depicting Bible teachings.
After wrapping up his current flagship series, Jenkins intends to transition to a fresh franchise for his next venture. He will be directing and producing a series about Moses, spanning over three seasons. Here’s what Jenkins shared about the project; he likened the biblical character to Tony Soprano from The Sopranos. You can read more of his thoughts on the project below.
“There actually isn’t a story in the Bible, possibly even including Jesus, that has more pop culture, historical moments, phrases and imagery than the story of Moses. There’s an epic story that can be told. In the midst of it was a reluctant Tony Soprano, basically the guy who was being tasked with leading the largest family in the world — and didn’t want it. Tony Soprano was always fighting for power, and Moses was actually always trying to give it up. And yet, he’s the one that God chose to lead the biggest religious movement and cultural movement in the history of the world.”
2025 marks the year I eagerly anticipate for the arrival of Season 5 of “The Chosen”! You can catch this amazing series streaming on both Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.
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2024-09-24 18:31