If you were tasked to settle upon the biggest IP of all-time, then there are plenty of noteworthy candidates to consider. Star Wars, the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Pokémon, the Wizarding World, Walt Disney Animation, Call of Duty, Barbie, James Bond, and countless other titles across all forms of media are worthy of a mention, but the Bible probably wouldn’t be near the top of the list.
Sure, the good book has been the subject of countless interpretations and adaptations ever since the advent of the moving image, but turning a lot of people’s beliefs into a brand sounds more than a little sacrilegious on the surface. That being said, The CW’s president of entertainment Brad Schwartz didn’t seem to care when he explained to Variety why the network had opted to pick up the rights to religious-themed TV series The Chosen.
“The Chosen is based on the biggest IP of all-time and is truly a one-of-a-kind series that tells this historically significant story in a captivating, dramatic and premium way. This show has already connected deeply with viewers around the world, and The CW will expand its audience even further.”
Then again, with the Arrowverse looking as though it’s about to be dragged round the back and sent the way of Old Yeller, maybe The CW wants another shared universe to replace it. The crossover opportunities are endless, and there’s no way you couldn’t at least be curious about post-credits scenes teasing what’s coming next, especially when the Archangel Gabriel appears at the end of The New Testament: Origins to let John the Baptist know he’s putting together a team.