Joaquin Phoenix puffs on a cigarette on Mary Magdalene set with Rooney Mara

He is taking up maybe his largest position thus far.

However Joaquin Phoenix seemed fully comfortable on the set of his new huge display biblical biopic Mary Magdalene on Tuesday, puffing on a cigarette whereas standing in a river in between takes.

The actor was sporting a heavy beard and lengthy hair for the position as he relaxed on the set in Basilicata, Italy.

Taking a break: Joaquin Phoenix seemed fully comfortable on the set of his new huge display biblical biopic Mary Magdalene on Tuesday, puffing on a cigarette in between takes

Joaquin, 42, and his co-stars, together with Rooney Mara within the titular position, have been filming in a river through the newest day on set.

The actor could not resist lighting up as reduce was referred to as, whereas nonetheless in his costume of brown robes, which dragged within the water.

He was earlier seen following Rooney and an assistant by way of the lengthy grasses earlier than getting into the river with a crowd of co-stars to shoot a scene.

Filming commenced on the Garth Davis-directed movie final month, with Joaquin and Rooney noticed capturing the pivotal crucifixion scenes over the weekend.

Biblical biopic: The actor was sporting a heavy beard and lengthy hair for the position as he relaxed on the set in Basilicata, Italy with co-star Rooney Mara, who performs the titular position

Mary Magdalene will give attention to portray an genuine portrait of Mary, and as a part of constructing this real-world view up the movie appears as if it'll focus strongly on the bond between her and Jesus of Nazareth. 

Deadline first reported that Rooney was being lined-up to play the position of Mary in February, although she isn't the primary actress to tackle the position.

Barbara Hershey performed the position in Martin Scorsese's The Final Temptation Of Jesus Christ (1988), which famously courted controversy due largely to an imagined scene that noticed Jesus and Mary consummating their marriage.

Motion! Rooney and Joaquin stood within the river with their co-stars, together with Chiwetel Ejiofor (left) as they obtained able to shoot one other scene

The plot of the movie noticed Jesus being tempted by the Satan at his crucifixion into embracing the life as a traditional man, the place he and Mary marry and have a child (although the scene was revealed to be a dream sequence).

The movie induced outrage amongst sure Christian teams when it was launched, with protesters picketing the Common workplace. Many nations banned or censored the movie for a few years.

Mel Gibson's The Ardour Of The Christ (2004) featured Monica Bellucci within the position of Mary Magdalene, although she stayed silent and in a extra conventional position for a lot of Gibson's movie.

Too bloody? Mel Gibson's The Ardour of The Christ (2004) featured Monica Bellucci within the position, although she stayed silent and in a extra conventional position for a lot of Gibson's movie - which confronted criticism for his use of violent imagery through the occasions main as much as, and together with, Jesus' dying

The movie additionally confronted criticism for his use of violent imagery through the occasions main as much as, and together with, Jesus' dying.

Whereas the precise plot line for Davis' Mary Magdalene continues to be not recognized, Deadline reported that the movie 'is about to be an genuine and humanistic portrait of one of the enigmatic and misunderstood non secular figures in historical past' - one thing that would properly trigger comparable controversy.

Chiwetel Ejiofor has been on set too in his position as Peter whereas Tahim is about to play the position of Judas. Ryan Corr, Charles Babalola and Michael Moshonov have additionally been lined-up to tackle roles of the disciples.

The movie, which has been scripted by Helen Edmundson and Philippa Goslett, doesn't have a launch date as but, although it's thought it'll hit cinemas in 2017. 

Controvertial: Barbara Hershey performed the position in Martin Scorsese's The Final Temptation of Jesus Christ (1988), which famously courted controversy resulting from an notorious scene that noticed Jesus and Mary consummating their marriage

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