EXCLUSIVE: We have your first look at the trailer for #TheStarMovie https://t.co/AZpwL0bijE pic.twitter.com/WwglGgCqN7— USA TODAY Life (@usatodaylife) July 26, 2017

The first trailer for The Star promises an inventive take on the Biblical story of the first Christmas, as told by talking animals. Based on an original pitch developed by Tom Sheridan, the upcoming animated film is being directed by Timothy Reckart and written by Carlos Kotkin. Centering around the journey of a donkey named Bo - who is being voiced by The Walking Dead veteran Steven Yuen - the new film from Sony Pictures Animation and Columbia Pictures aims to upend said famous religious narrative to comedic, but heartfelt results.

With supporting turns from such well known Hollywood talents as Keegan Michael-Key (Key & Peele), Kristin Chenoweth (American Gods), Tracey Morgan (30 Rock), Zachary Levi (Chuck), Tyler Perry (Gone Girl), and Oprah Winfrey (A Wrinkle in Time), The Star aims to be a crowd-pleaser. Christian-themed productions are always weighted with a certain amount of built-in skepticism from secular audiences - but based on the trailer for The Star alone, there certainly appears to be enough reason for the animated film to generate some interest from younger viewers.

In the first trailer for The Star (see the video above, courtesy of USA Today), potential viewers can get their first look at all of the sophomoric shenanigans soon to unfold in the animated movie proper. Yuen and company certainly appear to have had a good time giving voice to their respective characters, and the official plot synopsis serves to pull back the curtain in regards to what viewers can expect from The Star itself:

 A small but brave donkey and his animal friends become the unsung heroes of the first Christmas.

The Star

Following in the same narrative tradition as related religion re-tellings such as the 2006 version of The Nativity Story - which likewise sought to recount the story of the first Christmas to audiences in the 21st century - The Star aims to offer modern filmgoers a novel entry point into the New Testament - though whether or not viewers will be especially eager to entertain a Biblically-influenced film, is another matter.

Either way, the collective talents of The Star's cast should further help to drum up some interest from viewers already familiar with the voices of the performers involved. The film will be hitting theaters in November though, so it is perhaps in danger of hitting the market a little too early to tap into the demand for Christian-themed entertainment around the winter holiday season.

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Source: USA Today

Key Release Dates

  • The Star movie poster
    The Star
    Release Date:
    2017-11-10