The Hollywood Reporter forwards the buzz that there are two film projects about the “wildly popular” Pope Francis in the works.
Writer and producer Christian Peschken, a Catholic convert from Pope Benedict's native Germany, is reported to be at work on a $34 million production with the working title Friend of the Poor.
Writer and director Alejandro Agresti, from Francis' native Argentina, is reported to be at work on a film tentatively called Historia de un cura (History of a Priest). It purportedly features actor Rodrigo de la Serna -- best known for his role opposite Gael Garcia Bernal in Walter Salles' Ernest "Che" Guevara 2004 biopic The Motorcycle Diaries -- playing a young Jorge Bergoglio, the man who became Pope Francis....Agresti is probably best known for his 2006 romantic drama The Lake House starring Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock.
Meanwhile, Ridley Scott is “winding down his TV movie project The Vatican, also set in Rome but not directly connected to Pope Francis.” The film stars Bruno Ganz as the pope.
The show is billed as “a provocative contemporary genre thriller about spirituality, power and politics – set against the modern-day political machinations within the Catholic church. The series will explore the relationships and rivalries as well as the mysteries and miracles behind one of the world’s most hidden institutions.”
