Zero A. D.: The Birth of Christ is an upcoming American epic biblical drama film set during the Massacre of the Innocents as told in the Gospel of Matthew from the Bible. Directed by Alejandro Monteverde, it stars Deva Cassel, Sam Worthington, Ben Mendelsohn, Gael García Bernal, and Jim Caviezel.
Zero A. D.: The Birth of Christ is scheduled to be released in the United States on December 11, 2026.
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Synopsis
A young Joseph and Mary protect her child Jesus from a murderous King Herod.
Cast
Deva Cassel as Mary
Sophie Sloan as Young Mary
Jamie Ward as Joseph
Sam Worthington as Antipater, Herod's son
Ben Mendelsohn as Nahash of Ammon
Gael García Bernal as Joachim
Jim Caviezel as Herod the Great
Production
The film, originally titled Bethlehem and described as a "spiritual thriller" revolving around the Massacre of the Innocents, was announced in November 2024, with Alejandro Monteverde set to direct for Angel, marking their third collaboration. The cast includes Sam Worthington as Herod's son Antipater, Ben Mendelsohn as Nahash, Gael García Bernal as Joachim, and Deva Cassel as Mary.
Principal photography took place in Morocco in November 2024.
Release
The film was retitled Zero A.D. and was originally scheduled to be released by Angel Studios in the United States on December 19, 2025. However, Angel Studios acquired the rights to David and decided to release David in that slot and moved Zero A.D. to 2026. It is scheduled to be released in the United States by Angel Studios on December 11, 2026. The film was originally schedueled to be released on December 25, but was pushed to its current date.
