'Zero A.D.' director, stars reveal powerful message behind Christmas epic: 'I surrender to the story'
Ahead of the Christmas season, “Sound of Freedom” filmmaker Alejandro Monteverde is exploring the birth of Jesus Christ through a new lens in “Zero A.D.: The Birth of Christ,” a biblical epic that explores the danger and extraordinary faith surrounding the Nativity.
Set to arrive in theaters Dec. 11 through Angel Studios, the drama-thriller follows Mary and Joseph as they welcome Jesus into a world gripped by political unrest. When King Herod (Jim Caviezel) orders the slaughter of innocent children in an attempt to eliminate the newborn Messiah, the couple must protect the child that has been sent to save the world.
In an interview with The Christian Post, Monteverde, along with stars Deva Cassel, who portrays Mary, and Jamie Ward, who plays Joseph, reflected on the responsibility of portraying revered biblical figures and the film’s themes of courage and sacrificial love.
For Monteverde, like his other films, including “Bella,” “Little Boy” and “Sound of Freedom,” which drew $100 million in box office revenue despite its small budget, the story impresses on audiences the importance of protecting innocent life. The Mexican filmmaker said he’s always been drawn to challenging stories that explore difficult moral questions, and filmmaking presents an opportunity to use art to address tough subjects.
“It was not a conscious decision,” Monteverde, who spent 18 years working to bring the story to the big screen, told CP. “I kind of didn't even notice until later when I started seeing a pattern. … I've always loved very challenging subject matter … I kind of surrender to the stories.”
“This was one of them because it is a story that, in many ways, there's a lot of prejudice behind it,” he added, explaining that audiences often approach the Nativity believing they already know everything about it. “There is a feeling of not just to be told, but for you to participate as an audience and have the opportunity to interpret what is being told to you.”
That philosophy also shaped how the Catholic filmmaker worked with his cast, particularly Cassel and Ward, whom he said he encouraged to explore the emotional and spiritual dimensions of their characters. Despite its uplifting source material, the film is rated PG-13 for strong violent content, bloody images and thematic elements.
The director described a technique developed during production called “the minute,” which gave Cassel space to connect with Mary's character before filming a scene.
“When she would turn around, we don't know what we're gonna get,” Monteverde said. “There was that level of constant surprise. … I [also] saw a lot of beautiful things that Jamie did, and that I did not appreciate in the moment.”
Cassel’s mother, actress Monica Bellucci, portrayed Mary Magdalene in Mel Gibson's 2004 film “The Passion of the Christ” while pregnant with Cassel. More than two decades later, Cassel reflected on the power of stepping into the role of Jesus' mother in another biblical production.
“I think it's really a coincidence,” Cassel told CP. “Maybe it is some kind of full circle moment. Maybe it isn't. But whatever it is, I am just so grateful and happy to have participated in such a wonderful production.”
The actress also shared that her mother advised her on how to approach such a revered biblical figure, focusing on her dignity and humanity.
“She was always extremely supportive of everything I've decided to really embark on,” Cassel said, adding that Bellucci encouraged her to “really listen to what the human essence of the character needed.”
“I had all of this team really behind me, just ready to correct me, to support me, to just be there and make me feel extremely safe, so that I could be vulnerable enough and find a place to just really dig into that,” she said.
Ward, who also appeared in Martin Scorsese's “The Saints,” said portraying Joseph offered an opportunity to explore the meaning of faithfulness and unconditional love. Though Joseph is a relatively quiet figure in the biblical Nativity account, Ward said his willingness to abandon his own plans to protect Mary and Jesus makes him heroic.
“Joseph becomes a sort of heroic figure through those elements,” Ward told CP. “He does sacrifice his life and what he wanted for himself and Mary.”
Joseph initially envisioned a simple future with Mary, including building a home and beginning their life together, the actor added, but instead, he was called to embrace a far more difficult path.
“He wanted to build her a house and build a life together, but I think through those things you just see the love that he has for Mary and what love really means,” Ward said. “If you really love someone, you're going to stand by them until the end and through the tough times. … I love how relatable it is. They're things that we all feel.”
“Zero A.D.” reunites Monteverde with producers Eduardo Verástegui and Leo Severino, whose previous collaborations include “Bella,” “Little Boy,” “Sound of Freedom” and “Cabrini.”
The film also marks a notable return to biblical cinema for Caviezel, who portrayed Jesus in “The Passion of the Christ” and now takes on the role of Herod, the ruler whose fear of losing power drives him to violence against innocent children.
"Zero A.D." is the latest in a growing slate of biblical productions arriving in theaters and on streaming platforms over the next several months.
Among the most anticipated is Mel Gibson's “The Resurrection of the Christ,” the long-awaited sequel to his 2004 blockbuster. The upcoming two-part epic will feature a new cast, with Finnish actor Jaakko Ohtonen replacing Caviezel as Jesus. Lionsgate has scheduled “The Resurrection of the Christ: Part One” for May 6, 2027, coinciding with Ascension Day, while the second installment is slated for May 25, 2028.
Meanwhile, the sixth season of the hit series “The Chosen,” which chronicles the life and ministry of Jesus and His disciples, is set to premiere Nov. 15 on Prime Video.
Watch the trailer for "Zero A.D." below.
Leah M. Klett is a reporter for The Christian Post. She can be reached at: leah.klett@christianpost.com
