Will TPOTC Inspire Other Religious Films?

Michael Medved thinks so.

For many years, some lonely dissenters (including this writer) have argued that leading studios could improve their bottom lines by ending their frequent bashing of Christian symbols and substance and launching new efforts to tap into the nation's resurgent religiosity. Gibson has put that theory into triumphal practice, and other idealistic movie moguls already have prepared to follow his lead.

Less than a week after the release of The Passion, a colorful ad covering two full pages appeared in USA TODAY and other national newspapers, announcing an ambitious film (scheduled for Christmas 2005) based on The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe written by the great Christian thinker, C.S. Lewis. The willingness of Walt Disney Pictures, newly partnered with Walden Media, to announce this undertaking so far in advance and in such splashy style surely relates to the astonishing ability of the Gibson film to draw wary moviegoers back to theaters.