'Machine Gun Preacher' to begin production

'Machine Gun Preacher' to begin production

Machine Gun Preacher, the Mark Forster directed film about a former drug-dealing biker tough guy who found God and became a crusader for hundreds of Sudanese children who’ve been kidnapped and pressed into duty as soldiers in the Lord’s Resistance Army, will begin production next week in Africa before moving to Central City, PA, according to Somerset County Chamber of Commerce representatives.

Gerard Butler is set to take the lead as preacher Sam Childers. Michelle Monaghan will play Childers' wife, Lynn, and Michael Shannon plays a close friend of Childers who stayed with his wife while he was away in Africa.

Butler, who just finished filming Ralph Fiennes' directorial debut, Coriolanus, in Belgrade, has been committed to the film since January.

Production Weekly reports that the film will shift the production to Michigan in July.

http://www.examiner.com/x-30536-Gerard-Butler-Examiner~y2010m5d29-Machine-Gun-Preacher-to-begin-production

A little off topic, but....why do people say a person "found God"? I wasn't aware God was the one who was lost....

I worry when people claim to have done that. This guy worries me too. I'm trying to keep an open mind though. Just one of those "feelings" you know?

Ger

I've learned to look forward to Gerry's movies with guarded enthusiasm. I hope it's a winner!

Ger

DonnaKat wrote:

A little off topic, but....why do people say a person "found God"?

They have consciously found out or realized or discovered that God exists. The words 'realized' and 'discovered' are too long and too complicated and the word 'found' means about the same thing.

New religious converts scare me. They are usually all hyped up with no off button, and know very little.

I hope in between all of this schmoozing and partying he is taking some time to go over his new script.

LegoJulie wrote:

DonnaKat wrote:

A little off topic, but....why do people say a person "found God"?

They have consciously found out or realized or discovered that God exists. The words 'realized' and 'discovered' are too long and too complicated and the word 'found' means about the same thing.

New religious converts scare me. They are usually all hyped up with no off button, and know very little.

I totally agree with you LJ! I think some who suddenly "find religion or God" do so to hide their past sins or maybe their current ones. Too many bad people do bad things and say God told them it was OK. It's a rationalization more then a new found realization.

Ger

DK, before I say something I will regret, can we please stop the religious talk, or 'against' religious talk.

I'm offended.

I don't find anything strange about someone who lived a troubled life finding God and turning their life around. Often people have to hit bottom before they are ready to make a change. And I think that many people look for meaning in their life and ask the preverbial question, "Why am I here" ? etc. especially when the life that they have been living is so horrible. Religion answers a lot of those questions and gives people comfort, especially when they are greatly troubled and have begun to hate what they have become.

I can understand why some, who are especially down trodden, find comfort in religion. When someone knows that their life has been filled with horrible choices and they start to realize the error of their ways, I can understand how they can be touched by God -- and be comforted, as well as awed, by the fact that even after everything that they have done, they are still loved and can be forgiven. They have the chance to start anew and live the life that they were meant to live.

Whether someone is newly converted or has been raised in a certain faith their entire life, everyone has that "a-ha" moment with their faith. I don't find it less profound just because they have just started on that journey.

I think those who continue to do whatever they please and then use God's grace to excuse their behavior have not truly embraced a Christian lifestyle. Christians have to try to live the principles, and ask for forgiveness when they stumble, not continue to chose to sin and then ask for forgiveness after the fact. Christianity requires taking ownership of your choices. Those people who continue to sin are different from those new Christains (those who have newly "found God") who asking for forgiveness for their past and trying to change and live in a new way.

In any event, I think that MGP is a great story of redemption. It shows how a person can turn their life around from one of pure self-destruction to one of purpose. I find it fascinating that someone could go being a violent criminal himself, to one who tries to save others from violence. The fact that he makes this transformation because of his realization of God's grace in his own life, makes it an inspiring story, IMO. He was a very bad person, and yet even he was able to be forgiven, to change, and to fulfill what he believes was his purpose in life. I love stories like that. I find them inspiring, and if they inspire others who feel that they aren't worthy of grace to see that it is not only possible, but in fact what God longs for -- then all the better. I don't think that you have to be a Christian or agree with Sam Childer's religious beliefs to appreciate the changes that he has made as a human being in his life. The reasons that he made those changes are personal to him, but all can relate to how people change and try to become better people, no matter what the reason.

I hope that this movie focuses on that fact, and doesn't turn the movie into another Hollywood shoot 'em up action movie intead.

(Edited for spelling)

greyeyegoddess wrote:

DK, before I say something I will regret, can we please stop the religious talk, or 'against' religious talk.

I'm offended.

Hey Alice, I posted while you were posting. I hope that my post was not offensive to anyone here. The point that I was trying to make was this: I see this story as a great one about redemption and changing one's life. Regardless of the reason for Sam's change, he turned his life around and is now trying to help others. I think it is an inspirational story - not unlike Gerry changing professions, giving up booze and trying to live the life that he always wanted. I would think that those who admire that trait in Gerry, would admire the same in Sam. They both wanted to stop living the life that they were living and make a better one for themselves.
Whatever the individual reasons, the outcome was the same - change for the better. I, for one, love those types of real life stories.

Dallas, I respect what you say, because you have a sound way with words on touchy subjects.

I find it funny that people can make fun of other people's beliefs, but make fun of a favorite sports team, a favorite pop singer, or *gasp* a favorite actor, and it's WAR!

To me, being on a forum is VERY similar to being part of a religion. Check out the definition of 'cult' and you'll find a lot of similarities between the two.

I do not remember if religious discussions is allowed on the forum, but if not, then discussions against religion should not be allowed either. If I am not allowed to discuss what I believe in and defend myself, then others should not be allowed to discuss their beliefs against what I or others believe.

I will say no more on the forum about the subject. I feel I've already overstepped my position.

This is going to be an interesting subject for Gman to work on.

thanks to both alice and dallas. appreciate you both! cheers!

Since I'm the one who seemed to spark this conversation with my "found God" post, let me clarify what I meant. I didn't mean it to turn into a discussion as to which religion and belief is the "right" one...it was simply that I find it a bit humorous when ANYBODY says they 'found' God, as opposed to God 'finding' them. Nothing more. Please don't anyone read more into my post than what it was. I was finding irony in the statement made by the author of the article...not Childers or anyone's conversion. I am no one's judge, none of us are.

As far as this forum's stance on relgion, I do allow it to be discussed, as long as people are respectful to one another's beliefs. I hate to change that rule, especially considering this particular movie is sure to spark a few religious discussions, given it's subject matter.

If anyone is offended, it was not my intention with this thread, and I apologize. What I said was simply an off the cuff remark. I liken the term "finding God" with a child getting lost in the store and, when found, say "I found my parents". It's just a bit humorous to me when people say that, even though I know what they mean and they mean no harm by it.

With respect to the phrase "found God" I have never found it odd. Although God is always there, for some they haven't seen him because they just haven't looked for his presence in their lives. When they do, they finally find him. But I get what you are saying - it isn't God that is lost. It is the person who is. They "find" him because they are finally seeking out his presence, not because he wasn't there all along.

Again, this is just my opinion and that opinion is based on my beliefs. Others may see it differently. But that is why I have never found that phrase odd. But I get the play on words (if that is a good description of it) that you were alluding to, DK. I didn't take your post as anything but a humorous comment on the phrase.

BTW- I want to emphasize again that my religious opinion is not intended to offend anyone who believes otherwise. It is my opinon, and my personal beliefs only. I do think that this movie has a broader message of redemption that most people can relate to, regardless of whether or not they agree with the religious motivation that inspired Sam to make changes in his life for the better.

I think it's fair to say, that there's no problem talking about the film, what you think about the film, and opinions about the film, plot, characters, etc.

Personally, I'm not offended that someone wants to talk religion. I spent 16 months in Brazil doing just that. It always seems to be a taboo on most forums. I'm also not offended if people don't want to talk about beliefs. I've heard them all.

Since this film is about a preacher, there's going to be thoughts about the story and the characters, and of course, religion. Questions always arise when you start talking about beliefs.

We are a very thoughtful group, so I would expect nothing less than an interesting share of thoughts. I learn so much from everyone here. Probably more than I've learned on the other sites, collectively.

I just ask that each of us share without judging beliefs or opinions. You may not like what I say, but I'm not unintelligent for saying what I think.

I apologize DK & Nay for making such a ruckus.

And who knows? There might not even be that much preaching in the film.

You don't need to apologise, Alice.

And I fully agree with your statements: I just ask that each of us share without judging beliefs or opinions. You may not like what I say, but I'm not unintelligent for saying what I think.

Now, I would like to see some motorbiking, some tattoos on his bod and some leather .... Am I bad?

I think I should have added to my comment after trying to explain the term "found". I said new religious converts scare me because of their zeal and lack of knowledge.

Adding:
They scare me the same way new martial arts students, new cooks, new drivers, new cops, new doctors, etc. scare me. They all have zeal and hype but not so much knowledge and experience, and tend to talk about their new things with earplugs in. Not specifically about religion.


It would be weird to have a thread titled Machine Gun Preacher and not have mentions of religion and weapons.

I have never handled or fired a machine gun. I have seen some. The title makes me think of shotgun weddings.

I knew what you meant, Julie. That concept is actually mentioned in the Bible... "having zeal but not according to knowledge". The same thing can be applied to secular things as well: work, school, fandoms....

Me too Ger and I hope they are nice....love Tatoos have some too lol

Nay wrote:

You don't need to apologise, Alice.

And I fully agree with your statements: I just ask that each of us share without judging beliefs or opinions. You may not like what I say, but I'm not unintelligent for saying what I think.

Now, I would like to see some motorbiking, some tattoos on his bod and some leather .... Am I bad?

Maybe that was the couch and donut tats were for...hmmm???

Honestly, they were probably the beginning of tats for the next project, or leftover smudges from the last project.

Auditions are being conducted presently and according to this, shooting will begin mid-July in Michigan and South Africa.

http://www.examiner.com/x-42949-LA-Acting-Auditions-Examiner~y2010m6d5-Lionsgate-auditions-in-full-swing-on-factbased-feature-film-Machine-Gun-Preacher


http://www.featurefilmauditions.com/2010/06/lionsgate-auditions-in-full-swing-on.html