The Christian Producer of X-Men - an Interview with Ralph Winter on Being a Believer in Hollywood

Kris Rasmussen / Aimee Herd reporting : Jun 4, 2006
Beliefnet.com

Reporting for Beliefnet.com, Kris Rasmussen interviewed acclaimed Hollywood producer, and Christian, Ralph Winter. Winter talks about his latest film X-Men 3: The Last Stand, and why he took on producing the trilogy.

"I have enjoyed working on X-Men because of the theme of tolerance, of how we can get along together on this journey of life," says Winter. "The movie also reflects fundamental spiritual themes of what we are living for and how we treat each other. This third one is the culmination of those themes and the clash of those values. Will a cure [to being a mutant] make it better for all of us? Is that how we will get along? Or is there a different answer?"

Winter's list of productions range from Hollywood blockbusters like, The Fantastic Four, Planet of the Apes, and the X-Men trilogy, to smaller, overtly Christian movies such as, Left Behind, and Peretti's The Visitation.

Rasmussen asked Winter about being a Christian in the midst of Hollywood. "I've got a good support system in place," replied Winter. "My wife and a couple of close friends keep me accountable spiritually. I also think living my faith in my job is about the little things I do day in and day out."

Winter was also asked about any upcoming projects, and if he is ever weary of being one of the few Christian producers building a "bridge between Hollywood and the Christian community."

"I have been trying to develop a film version of C.S. Lewis' book The Screwtape Letters for a while," said Winter. "What's funny is that the film rights to the book were acquired years ago by a studio and nothing has ever been done with them. I had to explain to the studio (which owns the rights) that they might be interested in making this book into a movie because this C.S. Lewis is the same C.S. Lewis who wrote the book for The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, and that seemed to do okay at the box office."

"No. [I don't get weary.] I have been placed in this job for a purpose, and I am just trying to make great movies and keep my eyes on Him. I don't deserve any praise. Remember that I am a history major from Berkeley. It is definitely all God's hand that I get to do this. And who knows how long this will last? He may choose someone else."

To read the entire interview, click on the link below.