Due to be released by New Line Cinema, “The Nativity” will be a prequel to Christian blockbuster “The Passion of the Christ”. Christianity Today reports that the film has allegedly placed this film on fast track, hoping that it will be released during 2006 Christmas.
Hardwicke has directed two other films in her career, her self-written movie “Thirteen” in 2003, and the Californian skateboard movie “Lord of Dogtown”. Dark Horizons reports that New Line Cinema first obtained the spec script from writer Mike Rich, then chose Hardwicke as the director, wanting to harvest her ability to tell the story of Virgin Mary from a female’s perspective.
The current spec script incorporates the departure of Joseph and Mary’s departure from Nazareth, traveling to Bethlehem. Biblical figures such as King Herod, John the Baptist and the three kings from the Orient are also included in the story.