The End of Times is coming to Baton Rouge. The feature-film reboot of the post-Rapture "Left Behind" book series -- starring Nicholas Cage in the role of repentant Ray Steele, the series' born-again protagonist -- will shoot in the Louisiana capital for five weeks starting Aug. 5.
The film will be based on the first book in the best-selling, 16-book series by novelists Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins. This is the second time Hollywood has turned to LaHaye and Jenkins' books for big-screen inspiration: Three previous films were made -- in 2000, 2002 and 2005 -- based on the first two books in the series, "Left Behind" and "Tribulation Force."
The IMDB synopsis of the reboot: "A group of people struggle to survive in the aftermath of the Rapture that has removed people of the Christian faith from Earth."
"Left Behind" will be directed by Vic Armstrong, the legendary stunt coordinator and second-unit director who boasts screen credits dating to the 1960s and including work on everything from "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" and the James Bond film "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" to "Raiders of the Lost Ark," "Superman" and "The Amazing Spider-Man." Stoney Lake Entertainment is producing the film, with Samuel Goldwyn Films signed on as distributor.
"Left Behind" is the latest in a string of Louisiana-shot films for former New Orleans resident Cage. Others include the 2012 New Orleans-shot film "Stolen"; 2011's "Seeking Justice" (also shot in New Orleans); 2011's "Drive Angry" (Shreveport); 2009's "The Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans"; and his 2002 directoral debut "Sonny" (New Orleans).