Remake of Left Behind Starring Nicolas Cage Gets Two Thumbs Up by Authors

This summer’s blockbuster movies will include a remake you may not have expected. Left Behind, the 16 part best selling series, still a number one seller on Amazon in the boxed set , is being remade staring Nicolas Cage.

The original movie staring Kirk Cameron opened in theaters in 2000 after its initial release to DVD was welcomed by Christian audiences but overwhelmingly rejected by critics.

The end-times story, centered on the rapture of Christians before the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, gets a new treatment in the 2014 remake, with Cage (National Treasure, Con Air, Leaving Las Vegas) in the lead role as pilot Rayford Steele. The “Left Behind” film is set in the aftermath of millions of people vanishing from the earth.

Jerry B. Jenkins and Tim LaHaye, authors of the mega-hit Left Behind book series, recently got a sneak peek of the upcoming movie remake. Jenkins and LaHaye, along with their families, were treated to a preview of the “Left Behind” movie remake on Friday, and according to online accounts, were pleased with the early cut of the film.

Jenkins, whose latest release is I, Saul, shared that both he and LaHaye gave the “Left Behind” remake “two enthusiastic thumbs up.”

“Left Behind” is scheduled to be in theaters June 20. The film was directed by Vic Armstrong, produced by Stoney Lake Entertainment and written by Paul Lalonde and John Patus. In addition to Cage, other stars in the film include: Chad Michael Murray (Cameron “Buck” Williams), Lea Thompson (Irene Steele), Nicky Whelan (Hattie Durham) and Cassi Thomson (Chloe Steele). Jordin Sparks, Quinton Aaron and Lolo Jones make appearances.

Here is a scene posted to YouTube: