Zero A.D.: Sam Worthington's Biblical Epic

Zero A.D. - Sam Worthington in a Biblical Epic

Sam Worthington and Ben Mendelsohn star in Zero A.D.: The Birth of Christ, with Worthington playing a character in a story about a king on a hunt to find and kill a newborn child. The film is set to release in theaters on December 11, 2026, by Angel Studios.

The film provides a unique perspective to a story that countless people around the world have heard and/or read about, and presents the political environment and apprehension of the time during which this story is set.

Sam Worthington Signs On To Historical Epic

Worthington is one of the main actors in the film.

At this point, it is unknown who Worthington will portray in the film. Worthington has a background starring in large scale, action-drama films, so he will be able to bring a skill set that will aid the film.

With large scale productions, there is the risk of distancing the audience with broad, all encompassing storylines. Worthington will have the ability to deliver a powerful performance with intensity that will capture the audience.

Ben Mendelsohn is also Signed On

Mendelsohn has also been signed on to the film.

Kings that hunt and murder newborn children create a large threat level for the story, and Mendelsohn could portray this kind of character.

Throughout Mendelsohn's career, he has taken on characters that are morally ambiguous, and/or emotionally and psychologically distressing, and he will undoubtedly give the film's production a healthy dose of both.

A Dangerous Birth at the Heart of the Story

The Synopsis

The story follows a king who sets out on a hunt to track down and kill a newborn child.

While this idea naturally presents a powerful and inherently dramatic story, it is worth noting that the birth of the child is actually the beginning of a very dangerous and [potentially] tragic situation.

Zero A.D.

The title of the movie, Zero A.D., gives the audience an idea of the approximate time period in which the events take place. Some speculate the film takes a different approach to the story and focuses on a larger, more global level as opposed to a personal level.

There is a good deal of speculation regarding the potential scope of the movie, and only time will tell what directions the movie takes.

Angel Studios

The theatrical release by Angel Studios is set for December 2026.

Thanks to the holiday season and the thematic connection to the Christmas story, there is a natural audience alignment between the themes of the movie and the month of December.

There are a number of potential viewers, especially during the Christmas season.

What is Still Up in the Air

There are many elements of the movie that are as yet undetermined.

The creative team behind the production is free to tell the story in a way that incorporates dramatic scenes and situations beyond the strictures of the Bible. Alternatively, the movie may stick very closely to established biblical narratives. Only the release of the movie will give audiences an answer.

The input does not name the director. It also does not name other actors or state their roles. It does not name Worthington or Mendelsohn's roles either.

Because this is a story based on a religious legend, audiences will have predetermined notions about characters and will be looking for specific actors to portray them. Until the studio releases official information, it will be best to state what is known for certain and differentiate that from speculation.

The project has potential for several reasons.

Although there have been numerous films based on the life of Jesus, there have been very few large budget films focusing on his early life and particularly his birth. There is a great deal of potential to create a visually engaging and suspenseful film.

Using political paranoia and threat of violence to structure the film could also help distinguish the film from its competition.

Casting Worthington and Mendelson also strengthens the project. Angel Studios, which is known for helping faith based films, also produces the film. The film also has the potential to be one of the few purely Christmas themed films released during the season in which it is set. It will be released in December of 2026.