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Pope Francis: The Movie + Five Popealikes Perfect For The Role

LA STAMPA (Italy); NATIONAL CATHOLIC REGISTER (U.S.)

Worldcrunch

VATICAN CITY- Charismatic, humble, and kind -- it was inevitable that the story of Pope Francis would end up on the silver screen.

Bringing the story of Jorge Mario Bergoglio to life is German director Christian Peschken, who received 25 million euros backing from a group of European investors. Peschken has also assembled a team to help him that includes La Stampa’s Andrea Tornielli, who has previously authored several books on popes.

Speaking to the National Catholic Register, Peschken said, “we will make a movie about a person who followed God’s call and then became a shepherd of men -- a man with a mission and man with a destination.”

The director said that he wanted the movie to appeal to everyone, not just the Catholic crowd because “it’s what the Pope tries to do himself.”

Set for release on Pope Francis’ birthday next year (December 17, 2014), the movie will be filmed at Rome’s Cinecittà studios, and on location in Argentina.

Although a script has yet to be written, let alone anyone cast, we thought we might help the team out by offering our suggestions on who to cast as the leading man.

1. Woody Allen

One of the first to be pointed out as a papalgänger, could add a bit of Jewish humor to the role.

Screengrabs via YouTube expand=1]

2. Stanley Tucci

Italian roots, new world vigor, here's the man for Bergoglio's middle age.

[rebelmouse-image 27086735 alt="""" original_size="460x276" expand=1]

Photos by screengrab expand=1] and Tom Sorensen

3. Carl Reiner

Jowls? Check.

[rebelmouse-image 27086736 alt="""" original_size="170x239" expand=1]

Photos by Aibdescalzo and Angela George

4. Liam Neeson

Do not underestimate the action potential.

Photos by screengrab expand=1] and nivrae


5. Toni Servillo

An Italian actor and director, potentially a dark horse if the movie is not filmed in English.

Photos by Aibdescalzo and Facebook

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FOCUS: Russia-Ukraine War

Putin's "Pig-Like" Latvia Threat Is A Chilling Reminder Of What's At Stake In Ukraine

In the Ukraine war, Russia's military spending is as high as ever. Now the West is alarmed because the Kremlin leader is indirectly hinting at a possible attack on Latvia, a NATO member. It is a reminder of a growing danger to Europe.

Photo of Russian President Vladimir Putin

Russian President Vladimir Putin

Pavel Lokshin

-Analysis-

BERLIN — Russian President Vladimir Putin sometimes chooses downright bizarre occasions to launch his threats against the West. It was at Monday's meeting of the Russian Human Rights Council, where Putin expressed a new, deep concern. It was not of course about the human rights of the thousands of political prisoners in his own country, but about the Russian population living in neighboring Latvia, which happens to be a NATO member, having to take language tests.

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