Netflix has officially announced the upcoming live-action series debut of The Chosen One, based on Mark Millar and Peter Gross’ graphic novel trilogy titled American Jesus. The coming-of-age horror series comes after nearly two years since the streamer canceled its Jupiter’s Legacy adaptation.
“Relocating American Jesus to Mexico makes the mythological much more authentic and the apocalyptic all the more real,” Millar said in a statement.
The Chosen One has been in development since 2021 following Netflix’s 2017 acquisition of Millar’s company, Millarworld. The adaptation of American Jesus is being produced as a Spanish/English series which will follow a twelve-year-old boy who suddenly discovers he’s returned as Jesus Christ.
During the Netflix Tudum 2022 event, it has been confirmed that Black Panther: Wakanda Forever star Tenoch Huerta and Glee vet Dianna Agron have been tapped for the leading roles in the project. Everardo Gout and Leopoldo Gout are serving as co-showrunners and executive producers on the series, with Gout also directing.
“Jodie, a twelve-year-old boy in Baja California, suddenly discovers he has Jesus-like powers: he can turn water into wine, make the crippled walk, and, perhaps, even raise the dead!,” reads the synopsis. “As the Evangelical and the Yaquí leaders in town try to get him to use his powers to save mankind, all Jodie wants to do is impress the girl he likes and stand up to his bullies. As Jodie struggles and eventually comes to terms with his destiny, everything gets thrown for a loop when he realizes he discovers the truth around his identity.”
