'Judas' title actor thought he was a better fit for the Jesus role

Published: 2004-02-17

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Since making a big splash as moody guitarist Jimmy in the 1996 movie "That Thing You Do!" and being featured in a Vanity Fair cover shot of the new breed of hot young Hollywood actors, Johnathon Schaech has spent more time lately behind the camera than in front of it. He did, however, return to the front of the camera to portray the title role in the ABC made-for-TV movie "Judas," which airs Monday, March 8, 9-11 p.m. EST. For Schaech (pronounced "sheck"), a Catholic, it was a near-providential opportunity. He was directing a play, and an actress in the play was talking about a script she had seen titled "Judas & Jesus." Schaech approached his agent, who procured a separate copy of the script, and told him the film would be a great opportunity. "When they cast me as Judas, I was talking to someone just before filming, and I thought, 'I'm a lot more like Jesus, don't you think?'" Schaech told Catholic News Service in a telephone interview from Los Angeles. "The man did say, 'You're playing Judas? He's the betrayer of Christ.'" The only comeback Schaech said he had for the man was, "We're looking for betrayal and forgiveness" in the film.

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