Morgan Freeman to Visit Joel Osteen's Lakewood Megachurch as Part of 'The Story of God' Nat Geo Project Exploring Religious Beliefs
Actor Morgan Freeman is set to visit pastor Joel Osteen's Lakewood Church in Texas as part of National Geographic's upcoming "The Story of God" project, which will examine beliefs about God and the divine throughout the world.
"God is arguably the most important topic of our time," said executive producer Lori McCreary of Revelations Entertainment.
"National Geographic's unprecedented inside access will allow us to explore the global mystery behind God and religion. With Morgan as our storyteller, we're going to produce a visually stunning and thought-provoking series that will spur meaningful conversations about God and faith, by believers and nonbelievers alike."
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Deadline reported on Thursday that Freeman will visit some of the world's most famous religious sights, including Jerusalem's Wailing Wall, India's Bodhi Tree, Mayan temples, the 10,000-year-old ruins at Gobekli Tepe in Turkey, and the ancient Celtic monument at Stonehenge, among others.
Lakewood is one of the largest Christian megachurches in the world, with over 40,000 members.
"The Story of God," which is set to air in 2016 globally in 171 countries and 45 languages, is expected to focus on a different question about the divine in each episode, and explore topics such as the mystery of creation, the true power of miracles, and the promise of resurrection.
Freeman, who portrayed God in the Hollywood comedies "Bruce Almighty" and the sequel "Evan Almighty," will additionally be a test subject for neuroscientists who are searching for the effect of God on people's networks of neurons.
The actor, who has previously expressed skeptical views on religion, will also give his personal reflections throughout the journey.
"The story of God is one of the greatest mysteries and most important ideas in the world," Freeman said. "For me, this is a personal and enduring quest to understand the divine, and I am humbled by the opportunity to take viewers along on this incredible journey."
Freeman will also play a role in the MGM and Paramount remake of "Ben-Hur," based originally on the 19th century novel, Ben Hur: A Tale of the Christ by American Civil War General Lew Wallace.
National Geographic Channels CEO Courteney Monroe added that "The Story of God" project will be "an epic and very personal journey to understand mankind's religious devotion."
"Blending science, history, anthropology and personal experience, we're harnessing the power of the National Geographic brand and our unparalleled global reach to tell a meaningful and awe-inspiring story of religion and spirituality, across disciplines and faiths," Monroe said.
