Oscar Isaac's 'The King of Kings': Best Jesus Story Yet, Says Co-Writer & Star

For the first time, a fresh retelling of the life of Jesus Christ titled “The King of Kings” has been brought to the big screen. This revered Biblical character has graced numerous movies and television series, spanning from the profound dramatization in The Greatest Story Ever Told and Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ to the comical interpretations like Monty Python’s Life of Brian and Mel Brooks’ History of the World, Part 1. Interestingly, this latest production is an adaptation of Charles Dickens’ The Life of Our Lord, a personal account he penned for his children to share Jesus’ narrative.

In a creative twist, “The King of Kings,” originally penned and directed by Seong-ho Jang (a South Korean filmmaker) and translated by Rob Edwards, portrays Charles Dickens as a character within the narrative. This version depicts Dickens grappling with his unruly son Walter, who disrupts his reading of “A Christmas Carol.” To engage with his son, Dickens taps into Walter’s fascination with King Arthur and the Round Table to retell the story of Jesus Christ, whom he refers to as the “King of Kings.” Featuring a talented cast including Oscar Isaac, Kenneth Branagh, Pierce Brosnan, and others, this film has received largely favorable reviews from critics and praise from audiences.

To celebrate the debut of “The King of Kings,” ScreenRant had a chat with Rob Edwards and Mark Hamill. They shared insights on how they, along with Jang, transformed Dickens’ classic narrative for this movie adaptation. Both expressed their belief that this is the most effective way to tell the story of Jesus, providing an engaging introduction for younger audiences. Additionally, Edwards hinted at exciting developments for his graphic novel series, “Defiant,” and Hamill gave a sneak peek into the hilarity that awaits in the upcoming “SpongeBob SquarePants” film.

The King Of Kings Team Were Moved By Its Fresh Take On The Jesus Tale

“…What I Think You Get Is This Great Way Of Telling The Story.”

Charles Dickens’ work titled “The Life of Our Lord ” stands out in his collection as it was penned exclusively for his own children, with a stipulation that it should not be published during his lifetime. Even after his death, the book remained unpublished until all of his children were gone. Eventually, this novella fell into the hands of writer/director Seong-ho Jang, who, according to Edwards, instantly felt that “this is the most compelling portrayal” of Christ’s life, given that it doesn’t just focus on the Nativity and Easter, but rather delves into “the entire span of his life“.

In his explanation, Edwards shared that one method they used to adapt “The King of Kings ” effectively was a concept he referred to as “this great filter“. This approach resonated with him particularly well since he is also a father of two sons. He often found himself in a similar position to Dickens at the start of the movie, saying, “I’ve frequently been in the position where I say, ‘Okay, kids, I’ve got a couple of Bible stories to tell you.’ ‘Oh dad, not this again, please! Can’t we talk about something else, like Spider-Man?’

In subsequent chats with his kids, much like Dickens with Walter, Edwards discussed how films like The Matrix drew inspiration from other well-known sci-fi stories. He also admitted that presenting religious movies to his children could be challenging, especially those centered around Christ himself. “Often,” he chuckled, “by the time I manage to show them any movie about Jesus, the last 30 minutes are tough, we have to acknowledge.” “By then, they’re usually teenagers, and they’ve made up their minds about many things, sometimes moving on from such topics. What’s wonderful about this is that you can share it with a child who will genuinely appreciate it, and the whole family – parents, grandparents – can enjoy the movie together in the same way.

Hamill expressed similar feelings as Edwards when discussing the impact of The King of Kings, praising it for being “an incredibly inspiring tale that resonates with our noble aspects” as it delves into topics like “faith” and “selfishness“, among others. The BAFTA Award recipient further mentioned his long-standing affection for the religious movie genre, recalling his childhood thoughts such as, “Wow, there are miracles here; that implies there will be spectacular visual effects.“.

Mark Hamill expressed his thoughts: “I didn’t sense it was a rehash or imitation of anyone else’s work. In fact, this director, Seong-ho Jang from South Korea, is renowned for his special effects mastery, and this is his debut as a director. The visuals are breathtaking, there’s an epic vibe to it, and it doesn’t switch away from Charles and Walter in London to tell the story. Instead, they are part of the narrative itself, which I found really engaging. What impressed me was how Walter could witness everything happening in real-time. It’s a smart approach to keep audiences involved, and that’s why I felt this production would resonate particularly with younger viewers.

Hamill acknowledged that while “The King of Kings” isn’t the first to delve into the story of Christ, and is the third film to bear that title after the silent movie classic starring H.B. Warner and the 1961 hit starring Jeffrey Hunter, what makes this new version distinctive is its unique plot structure centered around Dickens and his son. He described it as both “a revelation” and “clever.” Additionally, he praised Roman Griffin Davis’s performance as Walter in the film, as well as his upcoming role in the Stephen King adaptation, “The Long Walk.

Edwards & Hamill Were Also Excited To Tackle Underexplored Historical Figures

“I’m A Research Geek…”

In the life of Jesus Christ, numerous names spring to mind for those who’ve had some religious education or regularly attend church – names like his loving parents Mary and Joseph, as well as Judas, who started out as an Apostle but ended up betraying him. For “The King of Kings”, Edward was thrilled at the prospect of delving deep into the gospels to flesh out the cast for the movie, reflecting his enthusiasm as a diligent researcher following his work on the graphic novel series, Defiant.

Through the story, you understand the personalities of the characters, learning about their identities. Subsequently, you delve into the historical era to grasp the broader context, which enlightens you on why events unfold as they do and what motivates people’s actions.

In the movie, Edwards looked forward to delving into two characters that caught his interest: Pontius Pilate, whom the co-writer believes has been unfairly portrayed as a villain in the Bible, even though he tried to act righteously; and King Herod, who was responsible for Christ’s execution. Herod was given voice by Hamill in the film, and like Edwards, Hamill was eager to take on the role of this infamous biblical figure, known for his cruel acts such as ordering the killing of all male children. It’s a part that Hamill wouldn’t have had the opportunity to play in live-action.

In my perspective as a movie critic, Mark Hamill aptly conveyed that the character he portrayed was power-hungry and less than admirable. Yet, I was captivated by the fact that voiceover roles aren’t based on physical appearance, but on the sound of an actor’s voice. This became particularly evident with my role as the Joker, a part I might not have been considered for on screen due to my physical attributes. However, it was a liberating discovery for me, especially during those years when I wasn’t landing the intriguing character roles I desired. Instead, I found solace in the world of Broadway from the late ’70s until the early ’90s.

It wasn’t until voiceovers were introduced to me,” Hamill explained, “that I realized, ‘Why didn’t I start this sooner? I should have been doing this from the beginning.’ I had only done one animated series as a teenager, but then I stayed away from voiceovers for many years. However, when I did The Joker and it made such an impression, it led me to a whole new realm that I found fascinating because, as I said, you get to play characters that would be difficult to portray on camera.

As a movie reviewer, I’d say that when it came to embodying the character of Herod, Mark Hamill attributed a significant part of his performance to the script penned by Edwards and Jang. Moreover, he emphasized a consistent mindset he carries over from his various villainous voiceovers – one in which these characters don’t perceive themselves as evil, despite harboring a strong sense of righteousness. As Hamill put it, audiences find good villains detestable because they lack self-awareness.

From my perspective, portraying a character like The Joker feels akin to embodying an individual who fervently believes he’s an undervalued genius. There’s a striking absence of self-reflection in his actions, which makes him all the more intriguing.
When it comes to antagonists, they never fail to captivate. They can infuriate the audience or, as is the case here, serve a vital role in storytelling. The thrill of playing protagonists is undeniable, but stepping into the shoes of an antagonist offers a unique allure.
The satisfaction of receiving applause and cheers is undoubtedly gratifying, but when you embody a villain effectively, the audience should loathe you intensely – and that’s a testament to a job well done.

Edwards Brought A Few Lessons From His Time At Disney For The Film

“Make It Smart Enough For Kids And Fast Enough For Adults.”

Before collaborating on the animated religious masterpiece, “The King of Kings”, the writer had already garnered success by working with Disney on a variety of projects – both animated and live-action ones, such as co-writing “Treasure Planet”, “The Princess and the Frog” and the latest release, “Captain America: Brave New World”. When it came to creating “The King of Kings”, the writer drew inspiration from some of the lessons he learned during his time at Disney, especially when he was working on the 2009 animated fantasy sensation.

During the production of The Princess and The Frog, Edwards admitted with a chuckle, “One mistake I made was spending too much time reading Reddit posts and similar content. A comment that resonated with me was, ‘I’m 35 and don’t need a prince to save me. I’m creating my own fairy tales.’ I adopted this perspective for our movie, focusing on Tiana as the embodiment of that individual. She doesn’t seek anything, she doesn’t want children, and so on. This approach gave us an effective storytelling method because, by the end, the audience will be drawn into a magical world, and convinced by the character’s transformation.

In relation to “The King of Kings”, Edwards remembered his initial reaction after reading Jang’s early translation of his Korean manuscript, where he wanted Walter (from frame 1) to be unwilling to listen to the story. He compared this character to “every moviegoer who steps into the theater with skepticism,” similar to Tiana’s doubt towards voodoo in “The Princess and the Frog”. Edwards explained that they would lead him through the most incredible story ever told, making him witness miracles and become emotionally invested. The aim was for when the movie ends, he would have transformed, grown from the experience.

This experience also prompted Edwards to remember a crucial lesson he had learned at Disney and Pixar: “Craft it in a way that is intelligent for children yet engaging for adults.” By doing so, the narrative would not only be “educational as you progress” but also provide “historical context” for younger audiences. This approach allowed Edwards and Jang to create key moments where they could “paus[e] to let the miracles unfold,” such as the story of the multiplication of loaves and fishes from the Bible, while still ensuring that it remained “entertaining in every imaginable way.

Edwards ponders, “During our lives, there are instances where time seems to move quickly due to limited knowledge, yet we can deduce events as Jesus continually improves as a teacher. The intrigue lies in, ‘Could a film be created to capture this sensation?’

The fellow scriptwriter reminisces about a touching incident that occurred during a movie screening filled with children and adults. He was seated near the front of the theater, watching the audience’s responses closely. What stuck with him most were the wide-eyed expressions on the faces of the kids, who were conversing excitedly with their escorts and exclaiming, “Wow, this is incredible!

They’re thoroughly appreciating every bit of it. Stunning cinematography by Woo-hyung Kim, captivating storytelling by Jang, and they can’t get enough. In the end, they’re asking for more, which is just what we aimed for with this.

Edwards’ Defiant Franchise Plans Are Still Alive & Well

“…I Have My Eyes On A Handful Of Directors…”

Over the last few years, Edwards has found himself exceptionally occupied. Besides penning “The King of Kings” and “Captain America: Brave New World,” he also took on his first feature director role with the comedic animation film “Sneaks,” which premiered in April this year. Additionally, Edwards introduced his latest graphic novel series, “Defiant,” detailing Robert Smalls’ inspiring story of escape from slavery, rebellion against the Confederacy, and daring confrontations with enemy soldiers, including stealing a steamship in hostile territory.

The four-part series, debuting in May 2024, is planned to venture from printed pages to screens. Despite Edwards’ commitment, he admits it won’t be an effortless journey, especially considering that they and the creative team behind the graphic novel have encountered resistance similar to what they faced with Defiant and The King of Kings, where their genres often led to assumptions about the material’s purpose.

Edwards stated, “People might think, ‘Here comes another sermon,’ but he replied, ‘No, no, no, this isn’t a lecture, it’s a tale, and it’s as captivating as the tales of King Arthur. If you decide to find meaning at the end, you can. If you choose to simply appreciate it as an exceptional story, that’s fine too. Just like with slave narratives, people often say, ‘I don’t want to be reminded of pain, please no more images of whips and chains, let’s not delve into the suffering.’ However, my intention is not to cause discomfort, but to present a story that carries historical significance.

Edwards explained, “As we presented our idea, I kept emphasizing, ‘This isn’t just about struggle, it’s about inspiration. He begins here, but look where he ends up.'” People responded skeptically, saying, “I don’t see it. All I see is mud, dust, and pain.” The graphic novel allows me to narrate the story effectively, capturing the essence of a movie on paper and portraying the story as intended. I hope that when people read it, they’ll understand and appreciate yet another inspiring tale about an extraordinary man.

Regarding the current stage of development for the movie adaptation, it’s been confirmed by Edwards that Defiant will indeed become a film. He also mentioned he’s considering several directors, one of whom he met with the previous night during our interview. Edwards expressed enthusiasm about this potential director, stating, “I had a fantastic conversation with him, and I believe the movie would benefit if he joined the team.” Additionally, Edwards shared that the artists involved in creating the comic book are eagerly awaiting production, with everyone expressing excitement and readiness to start work as soon as possible.

Regarding the possible candidates for the role of Smalls, Edwards humorously stated that Anthony Mackie “could definitely shine” in the part following their collaboration on the Captain America sequel and Sneaks. However, he also emphasized that there are a few other actors under consideration who he believes would be equally fitting. He likened the process of creating The King of Kings with Defiant to his previous work.

In a similar fashion to King of Kings, when I penned the script and actors began perusing it, it was captivating to witness their response, “Wow, these roles are fantastic. There are no minor roles in this film. This is simply marvelous. Count me in.” I have a strong feeling that the same reaction will be echoed with Defiant… Just as with King of Kings, as the impressive cast list for this production grew, it was as if, “I can’t fathom how you could cast this any better. I can’t imagine who else is as talented as the actors in this film.

Edwards Was A “Huge Marvel Geek” Before Joining Captain America: Brave New World

“…You Take It Seriously As A Fan.”

In the making of “Captain America: Brave New World,” Edwards and his crew faced a significant challenge, as it represented the debut of a Marvel Cinematic Universe subfranchise without Chris Evans as its lead character. Additionally, this film marked director/co-writer Julius Onah’s initial blockbuster project since the critically panned “The Cloverfield Paradox,” and Edwards’ first live-action movie after decades of working in animation and television production during the 80s and 90s.

When reminiscing about his collaborative work on the movie, Edwards found himself recalling a valuable lesson from his time at Disney and Pixar: always approach filmmaking with the mindset of a movie-lover before a filmmaker. This perspective guided him in his scriptwriting process, as he began it with an ardent fan’s enthusiasm. He also likened this experience to that of working on “King of Kings,” where he, as a devout Bible reader, was elated to contribute to the telling of this significant story. Similarly, he was equally enthused about chronicling Sam Wilson’s journey into this remarkable role.

This realization additionally influenced him to factor in that “I understand how the audience will react to this, as I am part of that audience myself“, and thus aimed to create “Captain America: Brave New World “a film that can be re-watched multiple times, growing more enjoyable with each viewing.” One key aspect he wanted to incorporate was a subtle complexity where “‘three characters believe they are the main character’ and are ‘absolutely correct’, yet the movie’s finale reveals that it is only Captain America’s compassion that triumphs in this instance“.

One aim of Edwards was to honor the memorable line from the first “Captain America” movie, specifically the scene where Chris Evans’ Steve Rogers uttered “I can do this all day“, by creating a similar defining moment for Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson. This process mirrored Edwards’ experience in writing the film and the transformation of Sam Wilson into the new Captain America.

My version is, “There’s no room for second best here. I won’t let this opportunity slip away. I understand the significance of what we’re doing, not just to me, but to everyone involved.” Just like Sam, as I sat down to write, I knew, “I mustn’t squander this chance; I need to create a film worthy of being part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

The New SpongeBob Movie Is One Of Hamill’s Most Fun Career Experiences

The Star Wars Vet Is Taking Over A Fan-Favorite Character For The Film

Moving past “The King of Kings,” Hamill was equally eager to talk about his part in the upcoming “The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants,” the latest cinematic outing of the cherished Nickelodeon series. As a seasoned “Star Wars” actor, he is set to voice The Flying Dutchman in the film, and he’s absolutely ecstatic about his time working on the animated sequel.

Let me share some exciting news with you: Apart from being a part of the storyline, I was also the villain in “The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants.” This film is set to release in December, and I must say, it’s been ages since I’ve had this much fun working on a movie. If you and your daughter are even half as entertained watching it as I was making it, you’re in for a fantastic time together!

More About The King Of Kings (2025)

Perfect timing for Easter, an exceptional voice-acting ensemble headed by Mark Hamill, Uma Thurman, and Pierce Brosnan introduce us to a family-friendly animated movie titled “King of Kings.” The film is inspired by a Charles Dickens short story that he would traditionally read to his family during Christmas. In the tale, Dickens, his son Walter, and their cat Willa find themselves deeply engrossed in the narrative of Jesus. Interestingly, it wasn’t until 1934, long after Dickens’ passing, that this short story was finally published.

2025-05-07 04:44

Oscar Isaac’s ‘The King of Kings’: Best Jesus Story Yet, Says Co-Writer & Star