Much-anticipated Mary Magdalene movie to open at Easter

Rooney Mara’s Mary Magdalene movie has landed the perfect Easter opening.
Executives at The Weinstein Company set director Garth Davis’ biblical tale about Jesus’ leading female follower as a pre-Christmas, 2018 release, but it will now open next spring as Christians around the world celebrate the religious holiday.
“The new release date highlights the narrative of Mary Magdalene’s relationship with Jesus that is indelibly linked to the events celebrated during the (Easter) holiday,” a film spokesman notes.
Mara, who worked with Davis on Lion, will play the title character opposite Joaquin Phoenix, who has been cast as Christ, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Tahar Rahim.
“Garth… and the rest of the team are working hard to finish the film and tell Mary Magdalene’s extraordinary story,” The Weinstein Company co-chairman Harvey Weinstein said.
The Jewish biblical heroine is considered by many scholars to be one of the most misunderstood characters in The Bible. She is said to have witnessed Jesus’ crucifixion and was named her as the first person to see Christ after his resurrection.
Catholics consider her a saint, but during the Middle Ages academics believed she was a prostitute before she became one of Jesus’ most loyal followers.
And some researchers and scholars believe Jesus and Mary Magdalene were husband and wife.
As a result of the movie date change, TWC bosses have given the November release slot to The Current War, in which Benedict Cumberbatch portrays Thomas Edison. Michael Shannon, Tom Holland, Nicholas Hoult, Katherine Waterston, Tuppence Middleton, and Matthew Macfadyen co-star.