The Word of Promise® Next Generation New Testament Star-Studded Cast Explains What the Project Meant to Them Groundbreaking project spotlights young actors’ faith

(Nashville, Tenn.) – With all the messages we hear daily about Hollywood, it’s not everyday you hear a positive message or see positive role models. Many young actors will choose older, more mature and controversial roles hoping it is the role they have been waiting for that will propel them to unlimited stardom. However, actors from The Word of Promise® Next Generation New Testament, the likes of those seen in Hannah Montana, High School Musical and other motion picture films, they see themselves as taking on the role of a lifetime as they portray the greatest message of all.

“When I was asked to play Jesus, I was honestly really excited, overwhelmed, honored. Playing Jesus is the ultimate role and being part of this project is the ultimate message and it’s something I believe in so much,” actor Cody Linley, newly appointed as a dancer in the upcoming season of Dancing With the Stars said about his role as Jesus in the upcoming project. “Recording the New Testament is such a cool opportunity. There’s so much more meaning behind these lines than I ever will see in any script. It’s a cool idea to get the Word out there.”

Cast member AnnaSophia Robb agrees, “When I was asked to play Mary Magdalene I was very excited because it’s not everyday you get to play a character in the Bible. I’ve really enjoyed it. I think a lot of people think of reading the Bible as a chore, for me it’s not a chore it’s a book of answers. It (The Word of Promise) makes it easier for certain people to be able to listen.”

For this young talented crew, the project spotlights their personal faith which inspired them to get involved in this groundbreaking project.
“A couple years ago, a friend took me to a Christian camp where I took it upon myself to really accept Christ into my heart and since then I have a whole different perspective on acting and why I’m in the business,” Alyson Stoner said. “That promise means I can rid myself of all fears and worries and stress because I know that if I trust in God, everything will happen like it’s supposed to happen.

About The Project

A whole generation is missing the truths of the Bible. According to a Barna survey of professing Christians, many young Christians today don’t believe in some of the very foundations of the faith. Many do not believe that Satan is real, that Jesus was sinless and the Bible is all true. On top of that, the study also found 43% of Christians who accept Jesus as their Savior do so before reaching the age of 13, and 64% before turning 18.

Because of these staggering facts, Thomas Nelson, Inc., the world’s largest publisher of Bibles, announced that they will be releasing an audio Bible production of The New Testament entitled The Word of Promise® Next Generation, in association with Falcon Picture Group (FPG).

The project will use the ICB (International Children’s Bible) New Testament, the bestselling and most readable translation created especially for today’s youth. It will be available in a 21-hour, 20 CD set as well as a MP3 format so that youth can download it onto their music players to listen on-the-go. This dramatic presentation of the New Testament is accompanied by a compelling new contemporary musical score and is produced in dramatic audio theater. The project is scheduled to release October 2008.

Directing the project for Falcon/Nelson is John Kirby, Hollywood’s prominent acting coach who has worked with much of Hollywood’s top talent including Jim Caviezel and William Mosely, who plays Peter from “The Chronicles of Narnia,” and movies such as “Peter Pan.”
This is a full audio drama experience filled with color and emotion to help the words leap off the page and come to life. The multi-talented cast of young Hollywood actors for the project also includes:

Cody Linley, Jesus (“Cheaper by the Dozen,” “Hannah Montana”)

Sean Astin, Narrator Winner of the Critics Choice Award, (“Lord of the Rings,” “Rudy”)

AnnaSophia Robb, Mary Magdalene (“Bridge to Terabithia,” “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”)

Andrew Lawrence, Matthew (“Brotherly Love,” “Jack Frost”)

Marhall Alman, Paul (“Prison Break,”)

Tahj Mowry, John (“Kim Possible,” “Are We There Yet”)

Emily Osment, Mary, Mother of Jesus (“Hannah Montana,” “Spy Kids 3D”)

Luke Benward, Mark Winner of the Young Artist Award, (“Because of Winn-Dixie,” “How to Eat Fried Worms”)

Corbin Bleu, Peter (“High School Musical,” “Galaxy Quest”)

Charlie Stewart, Luke (“Santa Clause 3,” “Suite Life of Zack/Cody”)

The project follows the release of the adult version The Word of Promise® New Testament Audio Bible which is currently available in a 20-CD set and an MP3 version of the audio Bible is scheduled to release September 30, 2008. The project, which received the coveted “Christian Book of the Year” award from the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association’s (ECPA) Christian Book Awards, features the talents of actors such as Jim Caviezel (“The Passion of the Christ,”), Michael York (“Romeo & Juliet,” “Austin Powers”), Golden Globe winner Stacy Keach (“Prison Break,” “Hemingway”), Academy Award and Golden Globe winner Lou Gossett, Jr. (“An Officer and a Gentleman,” “Roots”), Ernie Hudson (“Ghostbusters,” “Miss Congeniality”), and Academy Award winner Marisa Tomei. Audio samples are available by calling 1-866-WORD-CDS.

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Thomas Nelson is a leading provider of Bibles, products, and live events emphasizing Christian, inspirational and family value themes. For more information, visit our website HYPERLINK "http://www.thomasnelson.com" www.thomasnelson.com.

Falcon Picture Group, (FPG) is an Illinois Corporation owned and operated by Carl Amari. FPG produces and distributes a full-line of "family-friendly" audio/video/DVD consumer products for sale through Internet, mail order, retail and direct marketing channels of distribution.