Disney Promotes 'Passion of the Christ' for Kids
New film to secure Christian support with emphasis on religious themes
Walt Disney is pursuing the Christian market by promoting a new film as a "Passion of the Christ for kids."
With an attempt to gain Christian support throughout the world for the film, Disney executives have organized meetings with several church groups in the United States in order to emphasize such Christian themes as redemption and sacrifice in Disney's adaptation of C.S. Lewis' "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe."
The film will be the first of seven Disney blockbusters inspired by the Narnia book series whose author is known for his strong Christian beliefs. The epic children's stories are Christian allegories that focus upon a Christ-like figure.
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With Disney as the co-producer of the film, some feared that the production would be made into a secular version of the book, which sold more than 85 million copies. As Disney attempts to secure Christian support, however, some now fear the over-emphasis of religious themes.
Disney has hired public relations company Motive Marketing, which was credited with the success of Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ," to publicize the film to faith groups. Hollywood regards the Christian audience as key to box-office success.
The film, which features an all-star cast, will open in December.
"The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" is one of the best loved books of all time. Published in 1950, it tells the story of the Land of Narnia, a land of wonder and enchantment populated with a rich diversity of beings.
