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Producer Bill McKay is planning to make an independent film about the resurrection of Jesus, reports Variety.

The $20 million religious drama, titled The Resurrection Of The Christ, will be released at Easter 2011 through Samuel Goldwyn Films. The Hurricane writer Dan Gordan has been tasked with penning the screenplay, which will follow those responsible for Jesus's crucifixion - Pontius Pilate, Herod, Caiaphas and Judas.

"It's as much about the key players as it is about Jesus," McKay noted. "We want to bring in the Gladiator dimension of the first century against the political milieu of the time."

Resurrection is looking to replicate the huge success of Mel Gibson's The Passion Of The Christ, which pulled in more than $600 million on its cinema release six years ago.

Digital Spy