September 9, 2002

4:02 PM

It looks like Jim Caviezel will be our next savior. He joins a long list of them, such as Willem Dafoe, and Jeff Goldblum. Does it take more than just being a Catholic actor to portray Jesus on film? What qualities should a savior have?
posted by debralee (23 comments total)

I always thought the Savior would be Jewish, wouldn't he? Then again, I just can't picture Jon Stewart as Jesus.
posted by mr_crash_davis at 4:11 PM on September 9, 2002

Or Adam Sandler for that matter...
posted by asterisk at 4:14 PM on September 9, 2002

Keanu Reeves made a pretty good Jesus in the Matrix. If he can do it, surely anybody can. (Although his acting repetoire is like no other. Who else can have the range of playing a teenage guitar-playin savior to an surfin' "EFF BEE EYE AGENT!" Certainly no one.)
posted by Stan Chin at 4:16 PM on September 9, 2002

What qualities should a savior have?

The ability to act.
posted by Secret Life of Gravy at 4:17 PM on September 9, 2002

Jeff Goldblum is Catholic? Who knew?
posted by padraigin at 4:26 PM on September 9, 2002

Hello there Robert Powell
posted by Summer at 4:34 PM on September 9, 2002

since the "Jeff Goldblum is Catholic?" comment has already been made, I will instead choose to dwell on Adam Sandler as Jesus: Potentially brilliant. Or horrible.
posted by joemaller at 4:38 PM on September 9, 2002

the voice of ian gillan.
posted by quonsar at 4:39 PM on September 9, 2002

What qualities should a savior have?

Be able to laugh at himself; be able to make grand, sweeping hand gestures; most importantly, be able to turn water to alcohol. Someone who can do that will have no trouble gaining followers.
posted by Ty Webb at 4:40 PM on September 9, 2002

Pamela Anderson. The crucifixion scene would be soooo hot.
posted by Stan Chin at 4:45 PM on September 9, 2002

Samuel L. Jackson
posted by hobbes at 4:54 PM on September 9, 2002

I stuck the being Catholic part in there because it is mentioned several times in "next savior" link. It notes that both producer Mel Gibson, and star Jim Caviezel, are Catholics. Mel is often noted for being a devoted Catholic.
posted by debralee at 5:00 PM on September 9, 2002

Pamela Anderson. The crucifixion scene would be soooo hot.

Best. Idea. Ever.
posted by caustic at 5:16 PM on September 9, 2002

What qualities should a savior have?

Talking dog that only he can see.
posted by holloway at 5:17 PM on September 9, 2002

Every Sunday morning you can listen to The Jesus Christ Show on AM radio. Call in, ask Jesus a question, and be prepared to receive divine guidance. I've listenend a couple of times, and the guy is actually pretty good. Here's an article about the host, Neil Saavedra, who says he does the show because, "as corny as it sounds, I sincerely love people. Much as they piss me off on the freeway, I love people."

Which is the most important quality a savior should have, a sincere love for all people. That and the ability to rise from the dead, but the first one is probably more difficult to achieve and sustain.
posted by David Dark at 6:18 PM on September 9, 2002

from American Psycho to Jesus of Nazareth, Christian Bale makes a good jesus too.
posted by rollerball at 6:32 PM on September 9, 2002

Leave us not forget Peter O'Toole in The Ruling Class. Best Jesus ever.
posted by gordian knot at 6:56 PM on September 9, 2002

He needs to be able to defeat Satan, by hook or by crook, in a boxing title fight.
posted by vito90 at 7:02 PM on September 9, 2002

Jesus is pretty lonely. Heehee!
And I think Al Pacino would be a good Jesus.
posted by ac at 8:32 PM on September 9, 2002

Al Pacino would make a good Ironic Jesus. Or a post-death-and-ressurection Bitter Jesus, maybe. I think he's just too weary-seaming these days to pull of 33-and-loving-everybody.

Now Kyle MacLachlan -- born to play Jesus. He's the Jesus I'd want to get to know.
posted by cortex at 8:53 PM on September 9, 2002

I think Bela Lugosi made a good Jesus.
posted by vacapinta at 1:20 AM on September 10, 2002

I always thought John Turturro portrayed Jesus well...
posted by magnetbox at 6:11 AM on September 10, 2002

Okay, so why not Adrien Brody? Is it still okay to perpetuate the mighty myth of White Jesus?
posted by mikrophon at 7:03 AM on September 10, 2002