1) Ronald Reagan, actor and president and Army propagandist, called Hollywood into his presidential office, to see what Hollywood could do for the Repub. party. We might assume that "Independence Day" was eventually one result: a superpatriotic flick which energized the patriotic Right. And which especially asserted that a fighter pilot, of all things, would make a great president. Read: George Bush Sr., WWII pilot; George Jr., Phantom 4F pilot in the National Guard (ostensibly); and John McCain, fighter-bomber pilot. Here the movie seemed to be laying the groundwork especially for McCain.

Bible movies therefore might be laying groundwork for religious candidates.

2) Opposite possibility: today, secularism has grown to the point that we can now take more "critical" looks at the old Biblical stories; which is more interesting; novel/salable.

Other possibilities?

Religion today is increasingly being questioned. Often many don't know much about it any more. Movies might serve as intro.

is that the current crop of screenwriters in Hollywood, who are masters of recycling older films and ideas, have finally worked their way around to the Biblical epics.

The numbers of people who don't go to church on a regular basis, as well as the numbers of people who say that they
aren't affiliated with a particular religion--are drastically increasing.

So, why all of these religious movies?

I know that a current issue with the right wing--is that their views are rarely reflected in pop culture. In fact, their views are most often ridiculed by pop culture. Most mainstream music, television, movies reflect progressive social norms.

But look at Duck Dynasty--right wing zealotry/bigotry at its finest. It's got decent ratings, because the right clings to whatever shred of pop culture that reflects their views.

So, maybe, as the trend away from religion increases, those who still latch onto it--are clamoring for anything (in this case a movie) that validates their beliefs.

I find it curious. Hollywood is always about the bottom line. So, something has these movie studios convinced that these movies will make money.

It's bizarre though--because people are falling away from organized religion--and rejecting the "Bible as fact" notion in droves.

this growing demographic include a significant number of people who are really questioning and curious about religion in general.

While it is clear that they are disaffected by the religions in which they are raised, they may be very interested in getting other points of view on the stories they have been told. They may even think they will get something more truthful.

Just a guess, but I totally agree that Hollywood is about the bottom line and they must see a market in the movie going demographic.

Hollywood and truth is almost an oxymoron!

was Brokeback Mountain. These new Biblical pics sound about as appetizing as boiled turnips.

The last movie I saw was Walter Mitty.

When the Planet of the Apes prequel-sequel opens, I'm going down to Brooklyn and push you in to see it myself.

it just ain't the same.