The writer and director behind The Chosen says they aim to change the rules for how to cinematically approach the Biblical text.

"I've seen pretty much every Jesus movie or miniseries ever made," says Dallas Jenkins, a filmmaker for the past two decades. "But I've had the hardest time connecting with most of them, even the ones I've enjoyed as a Believer, because they make the journey safe and clean.

"There's no way to portray redemption—from depravity and oppression, to joy and freedom—unless it's desperate and authentic."

On Tuesday, in advance of Easter weekend, a full trailer for The Chosen released along with the series premiere (currently free). Three further episodes are available for purchase. Producers announced the complete first season will release in November on the VidAngel streaming video platform.

In December, The Chosen shocked Hollywood analysts when it became the top crowdfunded media project of all time. More than 16,000 people nationwide helped finance the initial episodes.

Speaking from California where editing was being finalized, Jenkins revealed his unique vision for the series, the power of developing characters over dozens of episodes, and how The Chosen speaks to the culture today. This phone interview has been lightly edited for clarity.

Origins of The Chosen

What prepared you to take on this multi-season adaptation of the Gospel narrative?

Dallas Jenkins: My background has been primarily in faith-based entertainment. My last feature film was The Resurrection of Gavin Stone, a comedy that failed at the box office—which led me to doing this project.

A lot of people would watch that film and this series and think: I don't believe that's made from the same filmmaker. But I've always liked to put a different twist on genres... Subscribe for free to Breaking Christian News here

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