News Release:
SONY PICTURES’ AFFIRM FILMS AND MONARCH MEDIA
CAST FIONA PALOMO, MILO MANHEIM AND ANTONIO BANDERAS IN JOURNEY TO BETHLEHEM
Award-Winning Music Producer Adam Anders Set To Direct
Culver City, CA (February 23, 2023) — Fiona Palomo (Outer Banks, Control Z) and Milo Manheim (Disney’s ZOMBIES series, Prom Pact, School Spirits) are set to star as ‘Mary’ and ‘Joseph’, along with Academy Award nominee Antonio Banderas (PUSS IN BOOTS: THE LAST WISH, upcoming INDIANA JONES AND THE DIAL OF DESTINY) as ‘King Herod’ in the JOURNEY TO BETHLEHEM currently in production from AFFIRM Films, a Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) company and Monarch Media. Principal photography is underway on the coast of Spain for this epic musical movie sharing the Christmas story in a fresh, inspiring, and entertaining way. Award-winning music producer Adam Anders (Glee, High School Musical, Descendants, The Passion) in his feature directorial debut wrote the script along with Peter Barsocchini (High School Musical franchise) and wrote the music with Nikki Anders (Glee, High School Musical, Descendants) and Peer Astrom (ROCK OF AGES, Glee, High School Musical, Descendants).
Sony Pictures has slated the musical for a wide theatrical release this coming November 10th.
Film and TV music powerhouse Adam Anders has more than 100 million albums sold, earned 4 consecutive Grammy® nominations, won 2 Golden Globes® and 2 People’s Choice® Awards, and holds the record for the most single entries on the Billboard Hot 100, eclipsing both The Beatles and Elvis Presley. “I first had the idea for the film years ago when I was looking for a musical to watch with my family at Christmastime,” says Director Adam Anders, “I want this movie to be a bright light this Christmas season — as bright as the star of Bethlehem.”
A young woman carrying an unimaginable responsibility. A young man torn between love and honor. A jealous king who will stop at nothing to keep his crown. This live-action Christmas musical celebration for the entire family, weaves classic Christmas melodies into new pop songs in a music-infused retelling of the timeless story of Mary and Joseph and the birth of Jesus. A unique new entry into the collection of holiday classic movies, this epic Christmas musical is unlike any before it.
Filling out the cast are MŌRIAH (BECAUSE OF GRACIA), Stephanie Gil (FATIMA), 4x Grammy© award-winning Joel Smallbone (PRICELESS) from the pop duo FOR KING + COUNTRY as King Herod’s son, Antipater and multiple Grammy© award-winning Lecrae as Gabriel, Rizwan Manji (WEDDING SEASON, Schitt’s Creek) as Gaspar, Geno Seagers (Perfect Harmony, BONE TOMAHAWK) as Balthazar, and Omid Djalili (GLADIATOR, THE MUMMY) as Melchior.
Produced by Alan Powell (A Week Away, VALIANT ONE), Steve Barnett (A Week Away, PRICELESS) and Executive Produced by Vicky Patel (A Week Away) for Monarch Media. Also produced by Ryan Busse (THE STRANGERS’ CASE), Stephen Meinen (POWER RANGERS, NERVE), Brandt Andersen (THE STRANGERS’ CASE, SILENCE) and Adam Anders (THE PROM, The Passion).
“This joyous and fresh take on Mary and Joseph’s journey, combined with the infectious music and insanely passionate vision of Adam Anders made this an undeniable fit for AFFIRM Films and Sony Pictures to come alongside and help turn this amazing story into a Christmas classic that will resound with young children, families, teens and adults” said Rich Peluso, EVP and Head of AFFIRM Films.
“We’ve been amazed at Adam’s ability to tell the widely known story of Mary, Joseph and a jealous king in a way that feels fresh and contemporary, like you’ve never heard it before.” says Alan Powell of Monarch Media.