LA STAMPA (Italy); NATIONAL CATHOLIC REGISTER (U.S.)
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.
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Photos by screengrab expand=1] and Tom Sorensen
3. Carl Reiner
Jowls? Check.
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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
