Cary Granat, the producer behind the beloved "The Chronicles of Narnia," has joined forces with director David L. Cunningham (renowned for "The Seeker: The Dark Is Rising" and "Running for Grace") and Oscar-winning visual effects wizard Ed Jones ("Who Framed Roger Rabbit?" and "Happy Feet") to bring "In the Beginning" to life. This ambitious faith-based family action-adventure film intends to narrate the Biblical tale of creation with a fresh perspective.
Leveraging state-of-the-art motion capture technology and hybrid CGI visual effects, the film promises to transform the Genesis narrative, from the universe's inception to the Garden of Eden, into a cinematic spectacle worthy of the Imax screens. Cunningham, the scion of renowned Christian missionary Loren Cunningham (founder of Youth With A Mission), has penned the screenplay and will helm "In the Beginning," produced by Granat (founder of Walden Media), Jones, and Jonathan E. Lim ("My Penguin Friend"). City Hill Arts will not only finance the project but also serve as its producer.
"For billions, the creation story serves as the blueprint for life's origins, yet it has never been conveyed through the universal and potent medium of a major motion picture," assert the producers. "In the Beginning" aims to serve as a clarion call, drawing audiences back to theaters and celebrating themes of gratitude and unity for all who experience it.
The filmmakers aim to seamlessly blend the biblical creation narrative, a text shared by Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, with the latest astrophysical research. This fusion ensures both fidelity to scripture and scientific accuracy. David Garrett of Mister Smith Entertainment reveals, "They've met with the Pope twice to discuss the project and also consulted top astrophysicists from CERN to ensure that the on-screen depiction resonates with the actual imagined visuals of the Big Bang. It won't depict God's hands shaping trees and oceans."
Mister Smith Entertainment showcased a captivating 15-minute presentation of the film to AFM buyers in Las Vegas on Tuesday. Handling international sales, they pitch "In the Beginning" as a PG-friendly, visually stunning theatrical experience with an appeal that transcends the substantial faith-based audience.
"It's crafted to appeal not only to evangelical and mainstream Christians but universally, even to those who don't profess belief," emphasizes Garrett.
Thanks to global blockbusters like the "Narnia" franchise and indie darlings such as "Soul Surfer" (2011), "Son of God" (2014), and the "God's Not Dead" series, faith-based cinema has mainstreamed. The makers of "In the Beginning" are actively engaging with faith groups and churches, including the Vatican, World Evangelical Alliance, Youth With A Mission, and Our Daily Bread, to ignite excitement and drive ticket sales.
Currently in pre-production, "In the Beginning" is geared up for a global release in December 2026.
