Latest news with #DallasJenkins
Time of India
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
'The Chosen' creator Dallas Jenkins discusses ADHD, faith, and the show's growing popularity in India
Dallas Jenkins, the visionary creator behind The Chosen , is taking a bold new step with Season 5. Known for bringing the life of Jesus and his followers to the screen with unprecedented authenticity and heart, Jenkins has built a global fanbase through innovative, crowd-funded production and free streaming access. Now, as The Chosen prepares to depict the events leading up to the Crucifixion, Jenkins is shifting the viewing experience: Season 5 will debut in theaters before its release on streaming platforms. Excerpts from the interview: #Pahalgam Terrorist Attack Pakistan reopens Attari-Wagah border to allow stranded citizens in India to return Key Jammu & Kashmir reservoirs' flushing to begin soon Air India sees Pakistan airspace ban costing it $600 mn over 12 months Are you surprised how well the show is being received in India? What is something that stands out about the Indian audience? It's not shocking because we've seen growing interest in India for The Chosen for a couple years now. I think the Indian audience is responding to the passion and humanity of the story. Typically Jesus projects are emotionally distant and formal, which is very much not the Indian audience! This is the first time The Chosen is premiering in theaters. Why was it important to bring The Last Supper to the big screen first, before streaming? This is our biggest season yet with the biggest stories we've told, including the Triumphal Entry and the turning over tables in the temple. I think people should see it on the big screen while also being with others. Why bring The Chosen to theaters at a time when even big-budget Hollywood films are struggling to fill seats? It's a bold move in that TV shows don't go to theaters, but we've always done things a little differently. We don't find it "risky" because we've seen audiences show up all over the world for the show, and we're also not trying to reach hundreds of millions of dollars like big studio films. We're not concerned with what other projects are doing or making any statements, we just wanted to meet audience demand and give potentially new viewers a chance to see what this show is about. Dallas Jenkins This chapter is arguably the most emotionally charged —how did you approach filming the Last Supper differently from other key scenes in the series? We really believe it's important to get every scene right because we're dealing with such important material. The Holy Week season isn't any more "important" than other seasons, and yes, it has more emotional intensity overall, but we approach it the same way we always do, trying to find humanity and authenticity. Was there a specific moment during production of the Last Supper episode that took you by surprise emotionally—either for you or the cast? When we were filming the Triumphal Entry with hundreds of people waving palm branches and singing and chanting, it was overwhelming. We just weren't prepared for the passion and joy of it, and it felt real. Several of us were crying, and the people were telling us it was one of the greatest days of their lives. How do you personally stay inspired and avoid burnout, especially when working with such emotionally heavy material? Working out, having a great family, staying close to God, and a healthy case of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder helps!
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First Post
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- First Post
EXCLUSIVE! Director Dallas Jenkins on the cultural and global impact of ‘The Chosen: Last Supper'
In an EXCLUSIVE interview with Firstpost's Lachmi Deb Roy, director Dallas Jenkins talks on the making of 'The Chosen: Last Supper' and actor Paras Patel who recently mentioned in an interview on Bollywood and how he was a huge fan of Govinda and Akshay Kumar, but later he admired the craft of Amitabh Bachchan, Aamir Khan and Irrfan Khan. read more EXCLUSIVE! Director Dallas Jenkins on the cultural and global impact of the movie 'The Chosen: Last Supper' Recently, in an EXCLUSIVE interview with Firstpost, actor Paras Patel of Dallas Jenkins' directorial 'The Chosen: Last Supper' had mentioned how he wishes to work in Bollywood. We again caught up with the director Dallas Jenkins for an immersive chat on the making of the film and its global impact. Edited excerpts from the interview: Bringing the Last Supper to life — tell us about the cinematic journey of The Chosen: Last Supper. Season Five portrays some of the biggest and most famous moments in history, from the triumphal entry to the turning of the tables in the temple to the last supper. But we also wanted the season to feel intimate and human. For example, I want people to know the Last Supper isn't just a famous painting or a long speech by Jesus. This was thirteen close friends together for an important meal of remembrance, and it was their last meal before Jesus was crucified. We wanted to portray what that would really be like, and I believe we did. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD How have the characters evolved over the seasons? They've grown closer and closer to Jesus, which will refine anyone. They've been challenged repeatedly, so even though they're growing and maturing, they still have a lot to learn because they don't fully understand the decisions Jesus is making, especially this Season. What inspired some of the standout elements that have made the show such a hit — like its sharp, unique sense of humor, the emotional authenticity of the characters, and the relatability of their dynamics? I've always been intrigued by what it would actually be like for human beings to connect with Jesus and have never quite seen it portrayed on film. The Bible is just giving you the greatest hits of Jesus to prove he's the Messiah, and stained glass windows and statues don't quite capture the humanity of these people. I wanted to create a show with authenticity and intimacy, and humour has a lot to do with that. From the director's perspective, what has been the cultural and global impact of The Chosen? As the creator of the show, I must remain focused on the work and making sure I'm making a good show that honours the character and intentions of Jesus and the gospels. I can't think about the audience response while I'm making the show. But it has been amazing to see the impact the show is having in countries like India, that definitely inspires me to keep going. WATCH the trailer of The Chosen: Last Supper (Season 5) here:
American Military News
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- American Military News
This TV series about Jesus is making millions — at the box office
This Easter weekend, theaters across the nation showed films like 'A Minecraft Movie' and Ryan Coogler's vampire thriller 'Sinners.' Alongside those movies, many also offered an eight-hour 'binge fest' of the latest season of 'The Chosen,' the popular streaming series that chronicles the life of Jesus. Bingeing a series on the big screen is highly unusual, particularly as streaming businesses and movie theaters have become increasingly at odds over attracting audiences. But the unconventional distribution strategy has proved to be a win — for the show's creator, who sees theatrical presence as a marketing tool; and for theater owners, who are looking for new ways to draw in audiences and see a potential opportunity in popular streaming shows. Director Dallas Jenkins, left, directs a scene in 'The Chosen.' (The Chosen/TNS) 'Just think about if the first episode of 'The White Lotus,' or the last episode, was shown in theaters, how many people would come,' said Bob Bagby, president and chief executive of B&B Theaters, whose Red Oak 12 theater in Dallas hosted the world premiere for 'The Chosen.' 'We would certainly welcome other streamers.' 'The Chosen' was perhaps the ideal candidate for such an experiment. Since its debut in 2017, 'The Chosen' has developed a devoted fan base and spanned five seasons so far. It can be viewed for free online on 'The Chosen' app, though the new season will be available to stream on Amazon Prime — after its theatrical run is expected to end April 24, but before it hits the app. Since 'The Chosen: Last Supper Part 1' arrived in theaters March 28, the three multi-episode installments of the current season have grossed more than $40 million at the U.S. box office, underscoring the growing niche for faith-based content. 'It's a great marketing tool,' Jenkins said. 'We make a little bit of money on it. Our actors get more money. It's a way to help sustain this company that we've started.' Though the most passionate fans are Christian, or strongly religious, about 30% to 40% of its audience are not churchgoers or traditional believers in Christianity, said Dallas Jenkins, show creator, director and producer. 'It is the greatest story ever told … but it's always been on stained-glass windows, or statues,' he said. 'There's a formality to it, a rigidity to it. And what we keep hearing over and over from non-believers is, 'Yeah, I'm not a Christian. I don't go to church…. But this is a great story, and I love seeing a Jesus that laughs with his friends at weddings and dances and tells jokes … and has a lot of the same human experiences that we do.'' Jenkins first brought portions of 'The Chosen' to the big screen in 2021, beginning with a Christmas special he intended as a one-night-only showing with specialty distributor Fathom Entertainment to surprise fans. That turned into a multi-week theatrical run that grossed $13.8 million. Buoyed by the success of the special, 'The Chosen' then debuted the beginning and the finale of its third season in theaters. By Season 4 the entire eight-episode narrative was available in theaters in multi-episode portions and eventually grossed $32 million. 'Last year we thought that we had reached a bit of a ceiling with how many people were interested in coming to the theater to watch a TV show,' Jenkins said. 'Certainly, it was more than the industry would have ever thought or predicted.' This season's box-office total has already surpassed that amount. In fact, Season 5 of 'The Chosen' is now the biggest movie or project in the 21-year history of Fathom Entertainment, a joint venture of movie theater chains AMC, Regal Cinemas and Cinemark. Faith-based content, like 'The Chosen,' has become one of the bigger categories for the distributor. 'To have this many people come out to a movie theater and pay for it and actually see it is pretty remarkable,' said Ray Nutt, chief executive of Fathom Entertainment. He said he's had discussions about other episodic content that could play in theaters, but that the content must be right for such a strategy. 'It can't be just a movie that somebody decides to divide into parts and and get another bite at the apple, if you will,' Nutt said. 'It's got to be something that is episodic, that is going to bring people back.' The excitement for the latest season of 'The Chosen' was palpable at its world premiere last month at B&B Theaters Red Oak 12 in Dallas. Fans began showing up days in advance, asking theater staff if they could help out with the event. When the day arrived, the premiere was attended by about 1,000 people, including cast, crew and fans. Additional spectators watched along the sidelines in hopes of glimpsing the series' stars. 'We are seeing a whole new audience, a growing audience for these faith-based films,' said Bagby, who also serves as chairman of the Cinema United trade group. 'Reaching an older audience is difficult these days, but this is a streaming show that these guests have watched and enjoyed, and now they get to come together with other believers and other friends and watch it together on the big screen.' The series is financed by a religious nonprofit, which pays Jenkins' company, 5&2 Studios, to oversee production of 'The Chosen.' The company makes money from licensing fees and sells merchandise to fans. Inspired by the ensemble focus of 'The West Wing,' the humanity and authenticity of 'Friday Night Lights' and the multiple perspectives of 'The Wire,' Jenkins said he sees 'The Chosen' as a historical drama, rather than explicitly faith-based. 'I'm not enamored with the term 'faith-based' because it tends to kind of exclude a large part of the audience,' he said. 'It happens to be about a religious figure, of course … but I think we're showing that anyone can appreciate this.' Faith-based content is a niche, but also a burgeoning theatrical market. Since these stories typically rely on character-driven narratives and are not as cast-dependent, overall budgets tend to be lower, said David A. Gross, who writes a movie industry newsletter. While not every film will bring in box-office numbers like Mel Gibson's 2004 hit 'The Passion of the Christ,' which grossed more than $610 million worldwide, movies in this sector have done well with audiences in the last few years, Gross said. That includes 2023's 'Sound of Freedom' from distributor Angel Studios, which made more than $250 million worldwide at the box office. Last year, there were 17 domestic faith-based wide releases, which grossed a total of $237.4 million worldwide, Gross added. 'It's the story and point-of-view that counts,' he wrote in an email. 'When they resonate, these audiences show up.' ___ © 2025 Los Angeles Times. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Fox News
14-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Dallas Jenkins Is Transforming Christian Media
Co-writer and executive producer of the hit television show The Chosen, Dallas Jenkins shares his journey in the film industry and immense success transforming Christian media. Martha and Dallas discuss how the series humanizes Jesus' story while not denying biblical truth and how Jonathan Roumie, who portrays Jesus, delicately provides new context to public understanding of the Bible. Later, Dallas previews the highly anticipated season 5 of The Chosen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit
Yahoo
14-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘The Chosen' Season 5 Reveals Posters Photographed by Annie Leibovitz, Tickets Go On Sale for Theatrical Release
As 'The Chosen' Season 5 prepares to premiere in theaters next month, creator/exec producer Dallas Jenkins has unveiled three key art posters — shot by photographer Annie Leibovitz — to promote the upcoming eight episodes. Jenkins and series star Jonathan Roumie shared the posters while on a press tour stop in New York's Times Square on Thursday. The three posters will promote the three parts of Season 5, dubbed 'The Chosen: Last Summer,' which will be released by 5&2 Studios — the newly-formed production company now behind the global hit — in U.S. and Canada theaters starting March 28. More from Variety 'The Chosen' Season 5 Gets Pre-Easter Theatrical Release Date; Here's a First Look at 'Last Supper' 'The Best Christmas Pageant Ever' Review: Town Terrors Get Tamed in a Fresh Take on the Kid-Lit Classic 'The Chosen' Plans Biblical Universe: Moses and Joseph Shows, Plus Animated and Unscripted Spinoffs (EXCLUSIVE) 'What makes her work so extraordinary is she tells stories — in seconds — and then you look deeper and you find more,' Jenkins said in a statement regarding Leibovitz.. 'We're trying to tell stories of some of the most iconic people who ever lived. They actually lived and breathed and had fear and doubt and felt things like joy and betrayal. So in a season like this, where you see all of those things, it felt like the season that was in need of someone most like her to communicate that photographically. When she agreed to do it, we knew that it was going to elevate the show and bring something to it with her portraits that we can't do.' Tickets go on sale this Friday, Feb. 14, for Season 5, which is distributed in the U.S. by Fathom. The series will hit theaters in three parts during a four-week run: Part 1 (episodes 1-2), Part 2 (episodes 3, 4, 5), and Part 3 (episodes 6, 7, 8). 'The Chosen: Last Supper' Part 1 will hit theaters in more than 40 additional territories starting April 10, including Brazil, Mexico, United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, Poland, Philippines and India, among others. (Trafalgar Releasing handles international distribution.) Season 5 will then make its streaming debut later in 2025. Here's the logline for 'The Chosen: Last Supper': 'The table is set. The people of Israel welcome Jesus as king while his disciples anticipate his crowning. But—instead of confronting Rome—he turns the tables on the Jewish religious festival. Their power threatened, the country's religious and political leaders will go to any length to ensure this Passover meal is Jesus' last.' Said Leibovitz in a statement: 'I admire what Dallas Jenkins is doing so much… He is the artist of our time doing the Bible.' Here are the three posters: Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week Grammy Predictions, From Beyoncé to Kendrick Lamar: Who Will Win? Who Should Win? What's Coming to Netflix in February 2025
