Posted on 12/22/2008 8:14:42 AM PST by Alex Murphy
Four years ago the cultish film “Napoleon Dynamite” invaded our vernacular with affected utterances of geek anti-wisdom punctuated with words like “gosh” and “talons.”
But beyond the ability to further dumb down our dialogue, the film also announced the arrival of Mormons in the entertainment industry. Or so the media told us.
You see, because the geek chic “Napoleon” was made by and starred practicing members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints we were supposed to anticipate a swell of Mormon artists in the mainstream arts world. After all, back then various studies concluded it was the fastest growing religion in the world.
It didn’t happen – at least not in 2004.
But four years later these overstated predictions appear to be true as Mormons might be replacing Scientology as the minority religion of choice in Hollywood.
Page through 2008’s entertainment calendar and you’ll find Mormons all over the place.
- The year’s biggest cultural phenomenon, the “Twilight” books and movie, was created by Stephenie Meyers, a Mormon with a monster fixation. The series about teen love and vampires was read by more people than the teachings of Brigham Young. It’s still causing teens to twitter uncontrollably.
- The biggest movie of the year, “The Dark Knight,” featured a Mormon trying to kill Batman. That would be Aaron Eckhart, who played the cosmetically-challenged and crazy Two-Face.
- The year’s cutest, and perhaps favorite, reality show star might have been channeling the Mormon Tabernacle Choir as David Archuleta cruised through “American Idol” to a second place finish – but first in the hearts of many.
- The year’s most bewildering actress could have been misinterpreting the teachings of Joseph Smith as Katherine Heigl, a Mormon, turned down an Emmy nomination while ripping into the writers of her hit show “Grey’s Anatomy.”
- Dustin Lance Black might be a lapsed, and gay, Mormon, but this writer has been praised for unlocking the script for the long-awaited movie about Gay rights activist Harvey Milk. In the back half of 2008, no screenwriter has been given as much buzz.
- The year’s breakout actress for her work in “Enchanted” and “Doubt,” Amy Adams is on pace to be the biggest Mormon star in Hollywood.
- “Dancing with the Stars” featured the deft footwork of Mormon Julianne Hough, who also released a country album this year.
- Even the political arena was charged with the Mormon spirit courtesy of Mitt Romney, who ran as a Republican presidential candidate.
There are many more including Brandon Flowers of the rock band The Killers and the fanboy dream girl Eliza Dushku – who will star in the upcoming Joss Whedon series “Dollhouse.” And this doesn’t even include the buzz created by the popular Mormon-based HBO series “Big Love,” which didn’t air any new episodes in 2008.
So is the Church of Latter-Day Saints staging a friendly takeover of Hollywood?
Probably not.
But years after “Napoleon Dynamite” showed us that Mormons are more than ill stereotypes about polygamy and magic underwear, 2008 was the Mormon Church’s coming out party for Hollywood. Let’s just hope this doesn’t mean Jon Heder will continue to find work.
bookmark
If Hollywood went “straight”...it would probably be its demise. Wow, just imagine — the National Inquirer going out of business, the paparazzi homeless and begging for food, more delicatessens at Hollywood and Vine than you could count...I doubt it...(/s)
“Vote For Pedro”
Whether or not they are practicing Mormons is another question. Hollywood generally frowns on being openly religious.
LOL
How many Hollywood Jews go to Temple? We need more religious people in Hollywood—Jews, Mormons, Catholics, protestants. etc... I hope Mormons will make the movies that need to be made—good stories, good acting and decent directing. Maybe something that talks about America as a great nation, or something that paints the American Soldier as a hero and not a crazed murder/war monger.
That would be nice. I’m just saying that in order to get ahead in Hollywood, at strict set of morals is considered a career killer. Donny Osmond was told that his name and his image were killing him and some suggested he change his name. His comeback song “Soldier of Love” was released anonymously so people wouldn’t automatically dismiss it and him. Presently, there are some Hollywood opponents of Prop 8 that are demanding that Mormons be black listed entirely. So, I too hope that we can overcome that but, if it happens it will be after a long, hard fought battle.
Maybe they need to make films in Salt Lake City.
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