For decades, biblical epics, a popular film genre, feature grand visuals and epic tales of good vs. evil. Classics like The Ten Commandments and Ben-Hur set the standard with lavish production and star-studded casts. Now, director Jeymes Samuel, known for The Harder They Fall, is venturing into this genre with The Book of Clarence. Unlike traditional biblical stories, this film aims to bring a fresh perspective. Read the articles below about this exciting cinematic journey.
What Is the Official Release Date of ‘The Book of Clarence’?
Sony Pictures will release The Book of Clarence in theaters on January 12, 2024. The studio will handle the movie distribution, which the Columbia Pictures and Legendary Pictures production firms are helming. The movie was initially set to release on September 22, 2023.
What is the genre of the movie “The Book of Clarence”?
“The Book of Clarence” spans genres, offering a captivating mix of adventure, comedy, drama, and historical elements.
Who will you see in the movie ‘The Book of Clarence’?
“The Book of Clarence” is expected to radically transform biblical films with a multicultural cast led by LaKeith Stanfield as the main character, Clarence. Cast members such as R.J. Cyler and Chase Dillon return in “The Harder They Fall,” directed by James Samuel. The ensemble also features Omar Sy, James McAvoy, Anna Diop, Teyana Taylor, and David Oscar nominees Benedict Cumberbatch, Marianne Jean-Baptiste, and Alfre Woodard play principal parts. This film seeks to tell a new story about the times of Jesus Christ, diverging from all-white casts in historical epics.
| Actor | Previous Collaboration | Notable Works |
| Jeymes Samuel | The Harder They Fall | Filmmaker with a distinctive style |
| R.J. Cyler | The Harder They Fall | The Harder They Fall, Power Rangers |
| Chase Dillon | The Harder They Fall | The Harder They Fall, Little America |
| LaKeith Stanfield | The Harder They Fall | Judas and the Black Messiah, Get Out |
| Jacobi Howard | The Harder They Fall | The Harder They Fall, Queen Sugar |
| Omar Sy | – | X-Men: Days of Future Past, The Intouchables |
| James McAvoy | – | Split, X-Men series |
| Anna Diop | – | Nanny, Titans |
| Teyana Taylor | – | A Thousand and One, Coming 2 America |
| David Oyelowo | – | Selma, Queen of Katwe |
| Benedict Cumberbatch | – | Doctor Strange, Sherlock |
| Marianne Jean-Baptiste | – | Secrets & Lies, Without a Trace |
| Alfre Woodard | – | Clemency, Cross Creek |
| Caleb McLaughlin | Stranger Things | Stranger Things |
| Babs Olusanmokun | Dune Part One | Dune Part One |
| Eric Kofi-Abrefa | Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom | Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom |
| Nicholas Pinnock | Marcella | Marcella |
| Micheal Ward | Empire of Light | Empire of Light |
| Tom Glynn-Carney | Dunkirk | Dunkirk |
| Tom Vaughan-Lawlor | Avengers: Endgame | Avengers: Endgame |
What’s the Plot of ‘The Book of Clarence’?
Sony Pictures’ summary reveals that The Book of Clarence draws from vintage Hollywood epics set in biblical times. Clarence is a Jerusalemite who has fallen on hard times and foolishly tries to make money from Messiah’s growing popularity for his purposes only. He sets off on a journey that leads him to an inquiry into the meaning of faith and along his unexpected trail. While the movie takes place in 29 A.D., when Jesus Christ was preaching, it will not be a religious project as opposed to other biblical epics such that Christianity would reign first and foremost.
Fans can expect Jeymes Samuel’s one-of-a-kind directorial take, renowned for seamlessly blending multiple genres and techniques to produce visually appealing and emotionally charged movies. Samuel also stresses the development of characters in his films. His famous film The Harder They Fall includes various characters with different motivations and histories. Samuel, in turn, analyzes each character’s unique path through this movie. The followers of the film may detect an analogous investigation into Clarence, a central character who evolves from trying to capitalize on Christ’s ascendancy towards an entirely new study route colored by spirituality.
Is There a Trailer for ‘The Book of Clarence’?
What are the IMDb Ratings of “The Book of Clarence“?
“The Book of Clarence” holds an IMDb rating of 6/10.
What do the critics and fans have to say about the movie “The Book of Clarence”?
In some ways, “The Book of Clarence” is an alternative Gospel story. It’s uneven because it’s neither comedy nor drama, but it tries to do both. It would have worked better with more comedy and less drama. LaKeith Stanfield does an excellent job with a script that could have been tighter.
Who’s Making ‘The Book of Clarence’?
The incredibly talented Jeymes Samuel will be directing the film with an original screenplay. As with his debut feature, Samuel will also be composing original scores for the movie. He will reunite with Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter and James Lassiter, both producers on The Harder They Fall. Former Netflix executive Tendo Nagenda will join the three as a producer, and Garrett Grant will serve as executive producer. The Book of Clarence will also reunite Samuel with costume designer Antoinette Messam. Rob Hardy, who previously worked with Alex Garland on Ex Machina and Annihilation and most recently served as director of photography for Mission: Impossible: Fallout, will be in charge of the cinematography. Tom Eagles will serve as the lead editor.
What Are Jeymes Samuel’s Previous Works?
As mentioned, Samuel directed the surprise hit The Harder They Fall, a fantastic spin on the Western genre. He has also collaborated with Jay-Z on the short film Jay-Z: Legacy. The Book of Clarence will mark Samuel’s second feature film and his third collaboration with the megastar Jay-Z.
Wrapping Up:
With a new take on bible themed epic movies, The Book of Clarence, directed by Jeymes Samuel, brings the package of action, adventure, and comedy-drama history in one film. Slated for release on January 12, 2024, the film provides clarity of his faith during challenging times in the year twenty-nine A.D. With such an ethnically diverse cast as LaKeith Stanfield, the movie wants to change representative biblical narratives. Although some critics point out it’s a blend of comedy and drama. Samuel is the director and producer of Jay-Z. This film creates a unique insight into spirituality and character development. We are waiting for this fantastic cinematic journey.