The Jesus Doppleganger

Robert Sigl, the controversial German director who helped bring the SF series “LEXX” to life, is preparing to helm a new film titled “The 13th Disciple” which will give the famous Jesus of Nazareth an evil twin. Movie is being shot in Northern India.

“It’s a fantasy-adventure film and takes place completely in present-day India,” stated producer Mario Stefan at this weekend’s 38th International Film Festival of India.

The story follows the adventures of two German archaeologists looking for evidence that Jesus visited India. It is an old story (dating back nearly 2000 years) – stating that in those absent years between ages 12 and 30 of Jesus’ life (not mentioned in the Christian New Testament) Jesus journeyed throughout the Middle and Far East gaining the wisdom of the ancient sages – with India being one of his primary stops. This theory was soundly rejected over the centuries when the Roman Catholic Church ruled most of theology and science. However, this story of Jesus’ possible travels has been gaining some closer scrutiny over the last 100 years from serious investigators. It should be understood, however, that this film is not a serious inquiry into those events, but purely a ficticious adventure tale.

For the film, the archaeologists, who are twins themselves, discover that Jesus had an evil twin brother who has reincarnated into our present age, becoming a strong, charismatic and evil leader of a religious sect.

Stefan said he didn’t expect any controversy over “The 13th Disciple” which will have Jesus “Christ” only in the background and not as a character, according to a news release.

“It will be made clear from the beginning of our film that it’s fiction,” he said. “Even the ‘Da Vinci Code’ was fiction but there was a lot based on real ideas…..If you deal with religious themes, you have to be prepared and also (careful) that you do not hurt any feelings,” commented Stefan. “Our film is not based on true events nor is it giving any religious message.”