by Gill Pringle at CinemaCon, Las Vegas
A small Christian film company has quickly risen to become a major Hollywood player in the space of just five short years – Angel Studios, which recently announced Australia’s Ben Mendelsohn and Sam Worthington as leads of their highly-anticipating Christmas release this year.
Unveiling exclusive footage at the opening presentation of this year’s CinemaCon event in Las Vegas, Zero A.D. marks the third Angel release from director Alejandro Monteverde.
Pitched as a drama thriller, the sword-and-sandals film recounts the epic biblical story of how Mary bears every sacrifice to save Jesus.
Starring Worthington as King Herod’s first born son Antipater, a Macedonian general and statesman, and Mendelsohn as Ammonite leader Nahash, Deva Cassel plays Mary while Jim Caviezel portrays Herod.
A cinematic event that redefines a timeless epic for a new generation, the filmmakers believe that the story deserves to be seen on the biggest screens.
If the Nativity is the staple of dry sermons and Sunday school retelling, then Angel’s synopsis reads like a nail-biting thriller: “A ruler consumed by fear. A prophecy that could unmake it all. When a child is born under a sign of rebellion, a terrified king sends his armies to erase him. But one woman refuses to run from destiny. As violence spreads and hope flickers, the true battle begins – not for a throne, but for the soul of mankind.”
While much of Angel’s slate reflects Christian core beliefs, the Utah-based studio announced ten surprisingly diverse theatrical releases for 2026, including Runner, an action-packed thriller starring Owen Wilson and Alan Ritchson to a gripping Cold War drama starring Jeff Daniels as President Ronald Reagan and Oscar winner J.K. Simmons as Secretary of State George Shultz, to a reimagining of the John Wayne classic Angel and the Badman starring Tommy Lee Jones.
A media and technology company, Angel has successfully pioneered a first-of-its-kind audience-driven studio model, featuring uplifting, values-driven stories.
“CinemaCon marks an important moment for us to show where Angel is headed,” said Brandon Purdie, Angel’s executive vice president. “Our 2026 slate is a celebration of what makes moviegoing matter – cinematic stories designed to be experienced together on the big screen, and it reflects our belief that the power of cinema lies in bringing people together for unforgettable, shared experiences.”
Among Angel’s other upcoming releases is an animated version of George Orwell’s Animal Farm directed by Andy Serkis, showcasing the voice talents of Seth Rogen, Woody Harrelson, Glenn Close and Kieran Culkin.
Meanwhile, Young Washington will tell the story of George Washington before the American Revolution, timed to the 250th Anniversary of the founding of the United States. Directed by Jon Erwin and starring Kelsey Grammer, Mary-Louise Parker and Ben Kingsley, the film introduces British newcomer William Franklyn-Miller as a young George Washington.
“This slate demonstrates that with engaging subjects, established stars, and engrossing storytelling, Angel has gone from aspiring to achieving,” said Neal Harmon, Angel’s co-founder and CEO. “This marks an exciting step forward in our mission to launch projects created with our audience, not just for them. All of this made possible and kept authentic by the passion and power of our more than 2.2 million Angel Guild members.”
