Actors Left Stunned as Fox News Re-Releases Decade-Old Audiobook as New Podcast
Kristen Bell, Sean Astin, Neal McDonough, Brian Cox, Malcolm McDowell, John Rhys-Davies, and Julia Ormond are among the heavy-hitters who've lent their voices to a massive new podcast series on Jesus Christ. The ambitious 52-episode project, titled "The Life of Jesus Christ Podcast," boasts an impressive voice cast, but several actors have expressed shock at being tied to the revamped audiobook, which was first released in 2010.
It appears that none of these actors were aware their recordings were being re-purposed for a new podcast, let alone the extent of its overhaul. According to Bell's representatives, she only discovered her audio would be repurposed days before the announcement. "She never gave permission for The Truth and Life Dramatized Audio Bible to be repurposed into this," they told Rolling Stone.
Cox, McDowell, and Rhys-Davies' reps have also come forward, stating they were blindsided by the news and had no input in the project's re-release. While some of these actors are outspoken Christians, others appear more critical of Fox News or the Trump administration.
Fox News claims it worked closely with all involved parties during the production process but has omitted key details about the original audiobook's origins. The company argues that the new podcast is an innovative way to bring its Christian-themed content to a wider audience.
In an apparent attempt to downplay the project's history, a producer requested that celebrity cast members keep mum on their recordings being 15 years old. It remains to be seen how this announcement will impact public perception of Fox News and its foray into Christian programming.
Kristen Bell, Sean Astin, Neal McDonough, Brian Cox, Malcolm McDowell, John Rhys-Davies, and Julia Ormond are among the heavy-hitters who've lent their voices to a massive new podcast series on Jesus Christ. The ambitious 52-episode project, titled "The Life of Jesus Christ Podcast," boasts an impressive voice cast, but several actors have expressed shock at being tied to the revamped audiobook, which was first released in 2010.
It appears that none of these actors were aware their recordings were being re-purposed for a new podcast, let alone the extent of its overhaul. According to Bell's representatives, she only discovered her audio would be repurposed days before the announcement. "She never gave permission for The Truth and Life Dramatized Audio Bible to be repurposed into this," they told Rolling Stone.
Cox, McDowell, and Rhys-Davies' reps have also come forward, stating they were blindsided by the news and had no input in the project's re-release. While some of these actors are outspoken Christians, others appear more critical of Fox News or the Trump administration.
Fox News claims it worked closely with all involved parties during the production process but has omitted key details about the original audiobook's origins. The company argues that the new podcast is an innovative way to bring its Christian-themed content to a wider audience.
In an apparent attempt to downplay the project's history, a producer requested that celebrity cast members keep mum on their recordings being 15 years old. It remains to be seen how this announcement will impact public perception of Fox News and its foray into Christian programming.
! It makes me think about how our work and choices are often tied to things we don't even realize. The original intention might've been one thing, but life takes unexpected turns, and we gotta roll with the punches 
. It's also super interesting how some of these actors had differing opinions on Fox News in the past... it shows that even when we're doing something for someone else, we should still be true to ourselves 
. And honestly, who are we to judge whether this new podcast is a good thing or not? Maybe it's an opportunity to re-examine our assumptions and give people a second chance 
they took some super famous actors & asked them 2 do audiobks 4 like a decade ago! now they're releasin them again as a podcast 
but theres this huge issue cuz nobody knew their recordings were bein reused lol. kristen bell is soooo mad rn 
i think its kinda shady that fox news didnt even tell ppl their old recordings wer gonna b used agen 
dont know how this'll play out in the public eye
what a load of bull, the actors had no idea their voices were being used for something new 15 years later, and now fox news is trying to spin it like they worked closely with everyone involved? give me a break. this just reeks of opportunism and disrespect for artists' work 
. what's next, re-releasing old tweets from donald trump as new podcasts? 
these actors gotta be livid, like didn't they have a say in this at all? 
i mean, it's not like fox news is tryin to hide anything... *cough* 
I don't get why they're making such a big deal about this. The podcast is still a huge production, right? 
And it's got an all-star cast - what's not to love? 
Transparency is key in this day and age. And Fox News needs to own up to how they handled the whole thing - all that secrecy about the original release just raises more questions...