(The Lion) — The so-called “Chosen Cinematic Universe” is officially underway.
Prime Video announced in recent days it has greenlit Joseph of Egypt, a Bible-based series from 5&2 Studios that marks its first live-action venture beyond The Chosen franchise.
“In this iconic Old Testament story, betrayed by jealous brothers, Joseph … defies all expectations and rises to incredible power in Egypt, second only to Pharaoh,” a plot summary reads. “But when his past catches up with him, he is confronted with the ultimate test.”
Chosen creator and director Dallas Jenkins has compared the concept to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, dubbing it instead the “Chosen Cinematic Universe” – with one key distinction: His franchise is rooted in the Bible, the world’s best-selling book and, he notes, a true story.
“Filming has begun!” Jenkins wrote on social media about Joseph.
Joseph of Egypt is currently filming in New Mexico and will span eight episodes. It is being co-produced by 5&2 Studios and Amazon MGM Studios.
Its launch marks the first of three live-action projects beyond The Chosen, to be followed by a series on Moses and one on the early church, the latter based on Acts of the Apostles and titled The Way.
Prime Video, the exclusive streaming home of The Chosen, will debut Joseph of Egypt at a yet-to-be-announced date in more than 240 countries and territories.
Craig Wright will serve as writer, executive producer and showrunner, with Jenkins also executive producing through 5&2 Studios. Additional executive producers include Brad Pelo, Mark Sourian, Ryan Swanson and Tyler Thompson. Pelo and Sourian have served as executive producers of The Chosen, while Swanson and Thompson are best known as the popular series’ co-writers (along with Jenkins).
“We’re taking everything we’ve learned and applying it to future projects,” Jenkins told Relevant Magazine. “Every Bible story we tell will have the same approach – finding the humanity in it so that people can see themselves in the story.”
A series about Joseph, Jenkins said, seemed like a natural next step.
“The Joseph story sets up the need for the law. Moses is the response to Joseph’s story,” he said. “And eventually, all of it points to Jesus.”
Actor Adam Hashmi will star as Joseph.
In May, Jenkins told media members at the K-Love Fan Awards that turning the Bible into an entertaining dramatic series isn’t easy.
“We really want to capture a perfect God and a perfect story through us as imperfect people,” Jenkins said. “And so that’s what keeps us going. … Every verse in Scripture is sacred. Every moment of Jesus’s life was sacred. Everything is important to get right.”
