A startling discovery has unfolded in the world of audio storytelling: Kristen Bell’s voice is featured in a new podcast series about the life of Jesus, a project she reportedly knew nothing about until very recently.
The podcast, launched under Fox News Media’s new “Fox Faith” banner, aims to chronicle the life and teachings of Jesus Christ across 52 episodes. It boasts a cast of over 100 actors, with Bell listed as the voice of Mary Magdalene.
However, Bell’s representatives have stated she was completely blindsided by the announcement. They revealed she only learned of her involvement when Fox News contacted her for a potential appearance on “Fox & Friends” just the day before the public unveiling.
The core of the issue lies in a fifteen-year-old recording. Back in 2010, Bell lent her voice to Mary Magdalene in “The Truth and Life Dramatized Audio Bible,” a full New Testament audiobook featuring a remarkable ensemble of actors.
Fox News claims the podcast is produced from this original audio bible, licensed through Gulfstream Studios, and that all actors gave their full cooperation. But this assertion is being challenged by many of those involved.
John Rhys-Davies, who voiced the Apostle Peter in the original recording, confirmed he was also unaware of the podcast’s creation until this week. The revelation has sparked a wave of confusion and concern among the cast.
Adding another layer of complexity, Brian Cox, voicing God in the series, has publicly criticized Fox News in the past, famously calling it “the devil.” His representatives have now confirmed he was also unaware of Fox’s involvement in the project.
Malcolm McDowell’s manager echoed these sentiments, stating the project was initially recorded as an audiobook fifteen years ago and that no one was consulted about its repurposing as a podcast. They emphasized that they would not have approved the use of the original recordings without renegotiation.
The unexpected controversy casts a shadow over Fox Faith’s ambitious launch into religious media, raising questions about transparency and the rights of performers regarding the reuse of their work.
The situation highlights a complex issue within the entertainment industry: the potential for older recordings to be repurposed without the knowledge or consent of the original talent, even when licensing agreements exist.
