'Risen's Jesus Christ Actor Cliff Curtis Shuts Out Wife, Family for 30 Days to Prepare for Role

Risen
Clavius (Joseph Fiennes) and Lucius (Tom Felton) execute orders from Pontius Pilate in RISEN, in theaters nationwide, February 19, 2016 Columbia Pictures

Cliff Curtis is taking his new project playing Jesus Christ very seriously. Instead of just getting all his lines down pat, he also isolated himself for 30 days as a preparation for the role. 

To prepare for the role of Jesus Christ in the movie, "Risen," Curtis needed to shut out his wife and family, Scout reported. Curtis said he lived on his own for a month in Malta. 

"For a month I lived on my own in Malta and it was a really beautiful experience. I had very humble meals and I lived monastically pretty much," Curtis said. " I could not not speak to my wife because she's my other connection to the Divine. I didn't speak to anybody and I spent a lot of time in meditation and silence and would sit for hours alone."

It seems apparent that the actor is very grateful for the chance to play the holy character. He explained that in the past, he has already been typecast to play certain roles, especially villainous ones. He played the villain in both "Live Free or Die Hard" as well as "The Last Airbender." He added that he couldn't believe he was actually offered the role of Jesus Christ since previous actors who got the meaty role were often those with fairer skin complexions and much younger than him. 

"Jesus was crucified by age 33 and I'm in my late 40s. And when you look at my work, what makes you think that I'm right for this role?" he wondered. "It was a miracle. just thought I wasn't fair complexioned enough to get the role and I needed blue eyes," he added. 

Related: Joseph Fiennes' 'Risen' Movie 2016 Gives Jesus' Story Unique Viewpoint 

The role is quite special to him because this is one of his dream roles, ever since he became an actor. "I was a devout Catholic as a child and I was an altar boy and served mass, and I did the whole thing and had the crucifix next to my bed, everything," he shared. "So when I became an actor and the question would arise, 'What roles do you want to play?' I'd say, 'Jesus,' and it had become a running joke."

"Risen" is a film about the events that took place after the Messiah's resurrection. The events are told from the perspective of a fictional Roman military official named Clavius. Clavius was given the responsibility of belying the fact that Jesus rose from the dead. Aside from Curtis, other cast members are Joseph Fiennes, Tom Felton, and Peter Firth. Fiennes recently gave an interview on what he thinks of the movie, and he said he is confident that they got it right.

    Most Popular
  • Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Faith-based films often receive mixed reactions, and The Last Supper is no exception. The movie attempts to bring a fresh perspective to one of the most iconic moments in Christian history, but does it succeed? Some reviews from critics and audiences provide insight into its strengths and shortcomings.

  • ‘The Chosen’ Season 5: The darkest season yet—What to know before watching

    The wait is over—The Chosen is back with its fifth season, and this time, things are getting intense. The new episodes dive straight into the final days of Jesus’ life, covering some of the most emotional and dramatic moments in the Bible. If you’ve been following the series, you already know that The Chosen isn’t just about retelling familiar stories—it’s about bringing them to life in a way that feels real.

  • Massacres in Syria: Over 1,000 dead, including Christians and Alawites

    Syria’s coastal regions have been devastated by a series of massacres, with reports indicating that over 1,000 people—many from Christian and Alawite communities—have been killed in brutal attacks. Entire families have been wiped out, and survivors are fleeing in search of safety as sectarian violence escalates.

  • Kim Sae-ron and Wheesung: The tragic irony of Korean society and the principles of happiness

    Not long ago, the media was in an uproar over actress Kim Sae-ron’s passing. Just months before, the same people who had relentlessly criticized her for her DUI incident were now expressing sympathy, saying, "The world was too harsh on her." The irony is impossible to ignore.

  • Newsboys move forward as a quartet after Michael Tait’s departure

    After more than a decade as the lead singer of the Newsboys, Michael Tait has officially parted ways with the band, marking a significant shift in the Christian rock group’s lineup. The remaining members—Jeff Frankenstein, Jody Davis, Duncan Phillips, and Adam Agee—have assured fans that they will continue forward, embracing a new season of music and ministry.