If you haven’t already been anxiously awaiting this year’s newest big-screen holiday film, this behind-the-scenes interview with For King and Country’s Joel Smallbone, who plays Antipater in Journey to Bethlehem, will definitely get you there!
Joel Smallbone is one half of the Australian-American Christian pop duo For King and Country; his brother, Luke Smallbone, is the other. Here, Joel discusses his role as Antipater in the upcoming movie Journey to Bethlehem.
Most folks, including believers, are familiar with For King and Country, but we may not recognize the name Antipater. Journey to Bethlehem introduces a new character to the eternally true Bible story of the birth of Jesus. There’s Mary, Joseph, Herod, and Joel’s Antipater. The actor speculates that his character, the eldest son of King Herod, may have also been the first convert of Jesus. That’s definitely intriguing!
Alex Anders, the music supervisor for the film, says that Joel was selected for his “amazing vocal chops,” and he shares that the first concert he took his kids to was one of For King and Country’s. He’s been a fan for a long time!
We see snippets of two of Joel’s songs. Of those, Joel states that “In My Blood” is a very emotional song, and the other is quite funny. The second is sung alongside the amazing Antonio Banderas, who plays the hateful King Herod.
Moriah Peters Smallbone talks about her absolute admiration for her husband’s skill, ability, heart, and work ethic. She is often on the set watching him portray Antipater, and she plays the part of Deborah in the movie. Moriah mentions Joel’s experience with NSYNC choreography and moves, but her husband was never a member of that group. One commenter helps clear up the mystery by writing that there are videos of Joel practicing NSYNC’s dances as a teen. It appears that practice has come in handy!
With gifted actors and musicians, epic scenes and costumes, and a story better than any other, this movie is sure to be one wonderfully special addition to Christmas 2023!
“Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men.” Matthew 2:16