Keisha Castle-Hughes playing Virgin Mary
{{date|March 20, 2006}}
{{New Zealand}}
[[w:New Zealand|New Zealand]] actress and ''[[w:The Whale Rider|Whale Rider]]'' (2002) star [[w:Keisha_Castle-Hughes|Keisha Castle-Hughes]] will star as [[w:Blessed_Virgin_Mary|The Blessed Virgin Mary]] in the upcoming [[w:New Line Cinema|New Line Cinema]] film, ''[[w:Nativity (film)|Nativity]]''. 

Castle-Hughes, 15, who is of [[w:Australia|Australian]] and [[w:Māori|Maori]] descent, was the youngest actress to be nominated for a best-actress [[w:Academy Awards|Academy Award]] when she was recognized for her role in ''Whale Rider''.

[[w:Catherine_Hardwicke|Catherine Hardwicke]], who is best known for ''[[w:Three Kings (film)|Three Kings]]'' (1999), will direct.

''Nativity'' looks at the life of the biblical couple Mary and Joseph prior to the birth of [[w:Jesus|Jesus]], showing how their faith, love and beliefs are tested. The script incorporates the couple's journey from Nazereth to [[w:Bethlehem|Bethlehem]], and includes figures such as [[w:Herod_the_Great|King Herod]] and the three astrologers (a.k.a. the Three Kings or the [[w:Biblical Magi|Three Wise Men]]).

Filming is scheduled to begin in May and will include locations in [[w:Moroco|Morroco]] and [[w:Italy|Italy]]. The studio aims for a December 2006 release.

== Sources ==
*{{source
|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,3607781a1860,00.html
|title=Whale Rider star to play Virgin Mary
|author=
|pub="Stuff"
|date=March 20, 2006}}
<!-- Hint: If you are citing One News, leave the author blank and put "One News" in the "pub" parameter. -->

*{{source
|url=http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=13681
|title=Castle-Hughes is the Virgin Mary in ''Nativity''
|author=
|pub="COMING SOON.net
|date=March 17, 2006}}

{{Publish}}
{{Archive-unreviewed}}

[[Category:Culture and entertainment]]
[[Category:New Zealand]] [[category:Oceania]]
New Zealand actress and Whale Rider (2002) star Keisha Castle-Hughes will star as The Blessed Virgin Mary in the upcoming New Line Cinema film, Nativity. 

Castle-Hughes, 15, who is of Australian and Maori descent, was the youngest actress to be nominated for a best-actress Academy Award when she was recognized for her role in Whale Rider.

Catherine Hardwicke, who is best known for Three Kings (1999), will direct.

Nativity looks at the life of the biblical couple Mary and Joseph prior to the birth of Jesus, showing how their faith, love and beliefs are tested. The script incorporates the couple's journey from Nazereth to Bethlehem, and includes figures such as King Herod and the three astrologers (a.k.a. the Three Kings or the Three Wise Men).

Filming is scheduled to begin in May and will include locations in Morroco and Italy. The studio aims for a December 2006 release.

*

 category:Oceania
Culture and entertainment New Zealand