Jacque Gray * * Bryce Chamberlain * * Jan Broberg Felt * * Mark Gollaher
Kirby Heyborne * * Roberta Shore * * Michael Flynn * * Richard Clifford * * Bruce Newbold

Gary Rogers'
The Book of Mormon Movie

In theaters September 12, 2003!
Related webpages:


Initial Press Release

[28 OCTOBER 2002: Gary Rogers supplied the following press release to this website, to be distributed to our readers immediately:]


PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Gary Rogers
(801) 557-3515
sregor@aros.net

http://www.bookofmormonmovie.com

THE BOOK OF MORMON IS COMING TO THE SILVER SCREEN!

Salt Lake City, Utah - October 29, 2002 -- The Salt Lake Hilton Hotel will be the site of a press conference announcing the production of an epic, multi-million dollar motion picture, "The Book of Mormon Movie, Volume One!"

To members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Book of Mormon is a sacred record of an ancient people who migrated from Jerusalem to the America's some 600 years before the birth of Christ. The book covers approximately one thousand years of their history, including a visit by Jesus Christ, after his crucifixion and resurrection in the old world.

"This is a very unique motion picture," stated Gary Rogers, the film's producer, writer and director. "Virtually every member of the Church I've talked to has told me they have waited all their lives to see a movie about the Book of Mormon! It really is a filmmaker's dream. However, the biggest challenge will be to produce a film that satisfies the audience. Most of the nearly 12 million members of the Church have already "seen" the movie many times in their minds! The prospect of meeting the expectations of millions of people is a very frightening but exciting challenge," say's Rogers.

"The Book of Mormon Movie will have special appeal to members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. However, the movie is designed to appeal to all viewers," stated Rogers. "The movie has all the same elements that make up any good motion picture: mystery, drama, action, intrigue, murder and romance. This will be an epic motion picture in every sense of the word."

Rogers said the Book of Mormon Movie would actually be a "series" of movies. The Book will be filmed in eight or nine installments or volumes, approximately two hours each in length, over the next seven years. Volume One covers Lehi's treacherous journey through the Arabian desert, crossing the great ocean to the "Promised Land" and the early years in the New World. Shooting will take place in Salt Lake City, for interior shots of sets, the California desert and Central America. In addition, "pick-up" shots without actors, will be filmed in Jordan and Saudi Arabia.



Robert C. Bowden, the Emmy-award winning former Musical Director of the Mormon Youth Symphony and Chorus and former Conductor of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, will compose the musical score. Mr. Bowden will conduct the London Symphony Orchestra, the same orchestra that performed all the music for "Star Wars."

"No celebrity actors will be used in filming the movie," stated Rogers. "I think a celebrity would actually detract. Tom Cruise playing Nephi or Jack Nicholson playing Lehi just wouldn't work! They bring too much 'baggage' with them, not to mention their enormous price tag! The Book of Mormon is the draw here, not the actors," says Rogers. However, Rogers was quick to emphasize that the actors must be able to act as well as any actor in the world.

Rogers hopes to use as many local actors as possible. "We have an incredible talent pool right here in Utah." An open casting call will be held Saturday, November 2nd at the Salt Lake Hilton Hotel. Casting information can be found on the Company's website at http://www.bookofmormonmovie.com, or by calling (801) 557-3515.

The movie's anticipated release date is spring of 2003. The movie will open first in the Utah market and then be released nationally. After the theatrical release, the movie will be available on DVD and Video. The DVD version will allow the viewer to see and hear the movie in Spanish with the simple click of the remote! Also, at any point during the movie, the viewer can click the remote and text will appear on the screen showing the exact chapter and verse in the book that relates to what the viewer is watching on screen! The DVD version will also show how the movie was made, including outtakes, special effects and interviews with cast members.

21 October 2002 - The official website for the Book of Mormon film series being developed by Gary Rogers is now online. Rogers had previously announced a major, multi-million dollar Latter-day Saint-themed movie project, but did not announce the topic.

This project appears to be entirely separate from the Book of Mormon feature film being developed by producers Steven DeVore, Scott Swofford, and Quinn Coleman, director Peter Johnson, and cinematographer Reed Smoot.

The home page of "The Book of Mormon Movie" website (http://www.bookofmormonmovie.com/) is dominated by red-hued graphics depicting the Arabian desert.

A table of contents includes links to the following sections:




[The text below is copied from each section of the official website:]


Director's Notes

Ever since I first saw the Ten Commandments in 1956, I have dreamed about seeing a movie on the Book of Mormon. Stories found throughout the Book of Mormon are among the greatest stories ever told. Now for the first time, you will be able to see these great stories "come to life" on the silver screen!

The musical score will be composed by Robert C. Bowden, former Director of the Mormon Youth Symphony and Chorus and former Associate Conductor of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Mr. Bowden will also conduct the London Symphony Orchestra, the same orchestra that has porvided all the music for "Star Wars." Music from the soundtrack will be available on CD.

The DVD version will allow the viewer to see and hear the movie in Spanish with the simple click of the remote! Also, at any point in the movie, you can click the remote and graphics will appear showing the exact chapter and verse in the book that relates to what you're watching on screen. The DVD version will also show how the movie was made, include outtakes, special effects and interviews with cast members.

The Book of Mormon Movie will be produced in 8 or 9 volumes over the next seven years. The first volume covers 1st Nephi through part of 2nd Nephi and has an anticipated theatrical release date of Spring, 2003.

There are three primary goals in producing the Book of Mormon Movie:

1. Produce a movie that is "true to the book".
2. Produce an Epic motion picture with great entertainment value.
3. Produce a movie that will leave the viewer with a profound desire to read the book.

[This section also features a photograph of Gary Rogers, with the caption, "Gary Rogers: Producer, Writer, Director"]


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In the News

Press releases and news articles....Coming soon!


Casting Call

CASTING SESSION

An open casting session will be held on November 2, 2002 at the Salt Lake Hilton Hotel, 255 South West Temple, from 9:a.m. to 5:p.m.

All actors must be ATTRACTIVE, in excellent physical condition, with EXCEPTIONAL acting talent and ability. Please bring "head shots" if you have them.

Actors should come prepared with a memorized selection of their choice (not to exceed two minutes), showing good emotional range.


The following parts are available:
Nephi Male. Age 21-26. Must be large in stature. Minimum of 6 feet or, preferably taller. Must be muscular and very attractive with a "leading man" face.
Lehi Male. Age 55-65. Must have a kindly face.
Sariah Female. Age 40-47
Laman Male. Age 22-30
Lemuel Male. Age 22-30
Sam Male. Age 22-27
Zoram Male. Age 25-35
Moroni Male. Age 40-50
Ishmael Male. Age 60-75
Wife Female. Age 55-70
Several Males Ages 20-30
Several Females Ages 18-30

For further information call (801) 557-3515.


On Location

This page will be updated with pictures taken during pre-production and filming of The Book of Mormon Movie. Check back soon for updates.


Feedback/Comments

There is a great deal of excitement surrounding this film! We would like you to share your comments and questions about this movie. We will periodically post your questions and feedback.

We would like to know what part of the world you are from so please be sure to fill in the City, State/Province, and Country boxes.

[An HTML form is provided for submitting feedback. Fields are: Comment or Question; Name; Email; City; State/Province; Country]

Ogden, UT. USA
Well it's about time someone did this! I am just curious how you are going to fit the whole book into a movie?
A: The book will be filmed in 8 or 9 "volumes" or separate movies over the next 7 years.

Salt Lake City, UT
First of all let me just say that I am so excited to see this movie! I can hardly wait to see this book I have read more than any other FINALLY made into a movie for the theater. Do you know when it will be finished and in theaters?

The anticipated release date for volume one is Spring 2003.


Watch Preview

[This page features a QuickTime video featuring a trailer for the project. There is no actual footage, of course, as nothing has been filmed yet. But fancily-lit words appear over a red sand dune:]

ONE OF THE GREATEST
STORIES EVER TOLD...

...WILL SOON COME
TO LIFE!

THE MOTION PICTURE EVENT
YOU'VE WAITED
A LIFETIME TO SEE

LIVE THE
ADVENTURE

WITNESS THE
DRAMA

FEEL THE
POWER

EXPERIENCE THE
BOOK

THE
BOOK OF
MORMON
MOVIE

COMING SOON

[The next-to-the-last phrase, "The Book of Mormon Movie" is shown over a photo of gold plates. The final phrase, "Coming Soon" is shown over a black background.]


The Book Of Mormon is coming to the silver screen

Date: 29 October 2002
Source: Meridian Magazine
URL: http://ldsmag.com/breakingnews/021101bofm.html

[This is a copy of the October 29th press release from the filmmakers. See above.]


Book of Mormon coming to silver screen
Filmmakers plan a series of adaptations of the book's stories

By: Jeff Vice
Date: 1 November 2002
Source: Deseret News
URL: http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,415016596,00.html

If all goes as planned, the recent spate of Mormon movies may be joined in theaters next year by the Mormon movie.

Filmmakers held a press conference Tuesday to announce the start of production on "The Book of Mormon Movie, Volume 1," the first of a series of ambitious feature-film adaptations of stories from the book of scriptures of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

But don't look for movie stars to play the leads, filmmaker Gary Rogers says.

"I think a celebrity would actually detract," Rogers said. "Tom Cruise playing Nephi or Jack Nicholson playing Lehi just wouldn't work. They bring too much baggage with them, not to mention their enormous price tag.

"The Book of Mormon is the draw here, not the actors."

Rogers, a veteran in the television industry, has written a script and will direct the first movie, which he said was inspired by Cecil B. De Mille's Oscar-winning 1956 version of "The Ten Commandments."

"Stories found throughout the Book of Mormon are among the greatest stories ever told," Rogers said. "Now for the first time, you will be able to see these great stories come to life in an epic, multimillion-dollar motion picture on the silver screen."

Rogers said his objective is to not only produce a film that is "true to the book," but one that also has "great entertainment value" and will leave the viewer with a profound desire to read the source material. It will be the first "volume" in a series of movies that will cover events recorded in the books of Nephi.

Still, he acknowledged that it is a risky venture. "Several people have said to me that this is career suicide; 12 million people have read the book and already have a film in mind."

But, he added, "Just as many people have told me that they have been waiting their whole life for this movie."

The funding for the production is already in place. Rogers, the founder of International Television Productions, recently sold that company to devote his attention full time to producing "The Book of Mormon Movie." He has also recruited independent financing.

In addition to announcing the production, Rogers held the news conference to announce an open casting session for the movie in the Salt Lake Hilton Hotel on Saturday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Casting requirements can be found on Rogers' Web site at www.bookofmormonmovie.com or by calling 557-3515.

The score for the film will be composed by Robert C. Bowden, former musical director of the Mormon Youth Symphony and Chorus and former associate conductor of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Plans are for Bowden to conduct the London Symphony Orchestra for the film's soundtrack, the same orchestra used by Oscar-winning composer John Williams for the "Star Wars" scores.


'Book of Mormon' being made into a movie

By: Standard-Examiner staff
Date: 1 November 2002
Source: Ogden Standard-Examiner

SALT LAKE CITY -- Utah filmmaker Gary Rogers announced this week his plans to produce a multimillion-dollar motion picture project on "The Book of Mormon."

Rogers hoped the announcement would help attract actors for an open audition to be held 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at the Salt Lake Hilton Hotel, 255 S. West Temple.

The film"s Web site, www.bookofmormonmovie.com, said actors vying for the roles must be "attractive, in excellent physical condition, with exceptional acting talent and ability." Actors should bring resumes and head shots, and should prepare a memorized selection of their choice, not to exceed two minutes. The piece should display an emotional range.

Roles to be cast are:

Nephi, a male age 21-26, who must be 6 feet tall or taller, muscular and attractive with a leading-man face; Lehi, a male age 55-65 with a kindly face; Sariah, a female age 40-47; Laman, a male age 22-30; Lemuel, a male age 22-30; Sam, a male age 22-27; Zoram, a male age 25-35; Moroni, a male age 40-50; Ishmael, a male age 60-75; wife, a female age 55-70; several mates, age 20-30; and additional females age 18-30.

For further information on the audition, call 557-3515.

Rogers said he hopes this film, slated for a spring 2003 theatrical release date, will be the first of eight or nine films based on "The Book of Mormon." Ever since he saw "The 10 Commandments" in 1956, Rogers hoped to make such films on "The Book of Mormon," he said.

Rogers founded International Television Productions, according to the film Web site. ITP, which Rogers recently sold, has multimedia projects for companies including Rockwell International, Coca-Cola, Nissan, Mitsubishi, AT&T, Dow Chemical, Lucent Technologies and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.


The Book Of Mormon Hits The Silver Screen In 2003

Source: KUTV News
Date: 29 October 2002
URL: http://kutv.com/specialsection/StoryFolder/story_1479441039_html

"The Book of Mormon, Volume One" is expected to hit theaters in the Spring of 2003. Gary Rogers, the film's director hopes to bring the book-read by millions of people around the world-to life on the silver screen.

"I think the time is right today," says Rogers. "The technology is here."

"This will be an epic multimillion dollar picture and I'm just taken above myself. It's really a frightening proposition, nearly 12 million L.D.S. members have seen this movie in their minds over and over again and now my job is to meet their expectations."

The images Latter-day Saint faithful see when they try to imagine "The Book of Mormon" stories are those portrayed in Arnold Freeberg's paintings. Now Rogers wants to take that one step further.

"If we can bring them to life with music, sound and action, hopefully it will bring 'The Book of Mormon' to life," says Rogers.

And Rogers notes that there are plenty of good stories to tell.

"There will be all the drama, mystery, intrigue, murder and romance. All of those will be present in the movie."

Since the whole book can't be covered in one film, Rogers plans to make 8 or 9 episodes.

If Rogers showed everything in this book it would have to be rated "R" for violence, but Rogers says he plans to make it "PG" or "PG-13" so that only some of the murder and violence will be in the movie.

"It's my desire that every person who goes into the theater will come out saying that was a good movie," adds Rogers.

The film has not been officially sanctioned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The church's standard procedure is not to comment on commercial ventures. Rogers says he is letting one top church leader see the script to make sure it's accurate.

Auditions are just starting for this movie. The first one is this Saturday at the Hilton Hotel Downtown. For more information click here or go to www.thebookofmormonmovie.com.


PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Gary Rogers
sregor@aros.net
http://www.bookofmormonmovie.com

HUNDREDS OF ACTORS AUDITION FOR THE BOOK OF MORMON MOVIE!

Salt Lake City, Utah -- November 2, 2002 -- The Salt Lake Hilton Hotel was the site of an open casting call for actors wanting to appear in "The Book of Mormon Movie." "Literally hundreds of people turned out," said Gary Rogers, the film's writer, producer and director. "At one point we couldn't even move, it was so crowded!"

Rogers said he found several people that simply "blew me away," with their acting talent. "We're looking for unknown actors that can act as well as any actor in the world," said Rogers. "We need to find extraordinary actors that can bring the characters to "life" in a totally believable manner.

"This is a very unique motion picture," stated Rogers. "It has a "built-in" audience of nearly 12 million people. However, most of those people have already seen the "movie" several times in their minds. Our biggest challenge will be to produce a motion picture that will touch the audience and meet their expectations, and the actors will play a critical role in meeting that goal," say's Rogers.

The producer is now getting hundreds of calls and e-mails from actors all over the world that want to audition. "For a very limited time we are going to accept auditions on videotape," said Rogers. Casting details can be found on the movie's website at http://www.bookofmormonmovie.com

"The response we are getting is simply overwhelming," said Rogers. "Most people are telling us they have waited all their lives to see this movie. We have a group in Portugal that wants to see the movie in their own language so much, they are willing to pay the cost of dubbing the movie in Portuguese!"

Throwing Stones at Ourselves: LDS Film and Its Critics

By: Kieth Merrill
Date: 7 November 2002
Source: Meridian Magazine
URL: http://www.meridianmagazine.com/arts/021107stones.html

[EXCERPTS]

Shortly after the release of God's Army, Richard Dutcher mused to me one day that he was surprised a cluster of LDS movies had not followed in the wake of his success. He need wonder no more. There are more new "Mormon genre" movies in release or being made than the market can likely support. Some will be great. Some will be OK. Too many will be disappointing. A few are likely to be awful.

From a really wonderful web site, ldsfilm.com... comes an almost shocking list of "Mormon movies" announced, in production, promised or being created in the most fanciful of day-dreams kept afloat by nothing but faith. Here is what Mormon movie goers can look for in near future -- presuming of course they get funded, finished and finely made.


[15 other upcoming films are listed.]


....I am enthusiastic about what is happening. The number of LDS filmmakers leaping into the forbidden arena excites me. Not all their offerings are equal by any means. It is unfortunate for example that Other Side of Heaven and Singles Ward are so easily lumped into the same conversation, or that the recently announced Book of Mormon Movie , Volume I -- exciting as it may be -- is front and center in the media while another much bigger and more expensive epic on the Book of Mormon is being prepared by seasoned filmmakers, Steve Devore, Peter Johnson, Scott Swofford and Reed Smoot.



Go to "Book of Mormon" movie page 2