The official trailer has dropped for Last Days in the Desert, an ambitious new independent feature starring Ewan McGregor in the dual roles of both Jesus and the Devil. The film made its world premiere at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival where it earned kind early reviews. The drama was picked up by Broad Green Pictures is slated for theatrical release on May 13th.
McGregor plays Jesus, joining a grand tradition of performers that include Max von Sydow (The Greatest Story Ever Told), Willem Dafoe (The Last Temptation of Christ), Jim Caviezel (The Passion of the Christ) and Christian Bale (the TV film Mary, Mother of Jesus) among others. Rodrigo Garcia (Albert Nobbs) both wrote and directed the feature, which imagines a chapter from Jesus’ forty days of fasting and repenting in the desert, along the way he battles the Devil (also played by McGregor) over the fate and safety of a troubled family. The ensemble cast includes Ciarán Hinds (There Will Be Blood), Ayelet Zurer (Man of Steel) and Tye Sheridan (The Tree of Life).
Notably, three-time Oscar winning cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki (The Revenant, Gravity) served as director of photography on the feature. Thus, it will come as no surprise that the crisp visuals have earned the lions share of the critical acclaim. Check out the trailer below. The film will begin in limited release on May 13, 2016.