National Geographic Channel has now announced the key cast for the upcoming film Killing Jesus, based on the book by Fox News host Bill O’Reilly and historian Martin Dugard. To play Christ, NatGeo chose UAE-born American actor Haaz Sleiman, who was raised in Lebanon as a Muslim and is known for taking on controversial and diverse roles, including gay Muslim nurse Mohammed "Mo-Mo" De La Cruz in the satirical comedy series Nurse Jackie (2009-), undocumented Syrian immigrant Tarek in indie film The Visitor (2008), and Palestinian activist Omar in the miniseries The Promise (2011).

While Sleiman was raised as Muslim, as Breitbart reports, he does not particularly emphasize his faith. His Facebook posts indicate that while he self-identifies as a Muslim, he stresses multiculturalism and embracing other religions:

On December 25, 2012, he wrote "A Muslim and a Jew celebrating Christmas, that's what happened last night when I spent Xmas eve with a very good friend. Merry Christmas! Giving you lots of love and wishing you tremendous happiness today and everyday of your lives."

Then, last Christmas Day, he posted, "Christians, Jews, Muslims, spiritual, buddhists, atheists or an other believers or non believers: Merry Christmas to you all! 'Love our neighbor as ourselves.' Jesus Christ. He said it best."

In 2011, he did share Muslim greetings on Nov. 6, posting, "EID MUBARAK! Muslim, Christian, Jewish, or any other believers or non believers...Much love!"

Haaz also told WGBH in an interview that he was raised Muslim. "I used to pray five times a day, then I decided to be a bad Muslim for a bit."

The role of Jesus has been played by actors of diverse backgrounds and worldviews. The Passion of the Christ’s Jim Caviezel is an outspoken orthodox Catholic American. Son of God’s Diogo Morgado is a Portuguese Catholic. The Last Temptation of Christ’s Willem Dafoe was born in Wisconsin and has said he is not particularly interested in religion. Jeremy Sisto, from the CBS miniseries Jesus, likewise expressed that he is “not actually a religious person."

While National Geographic Channel was clearly attempting to select a man of Middle Eastern descent for the role of Jesus, the rest of the cast includes a wide range of ethnic heritages, including Welsh, Irish, British, Moroccan, and American.

Killing Jesus will be National Geographic Channel’s third adaptation of an O’Reilly book, including Killing Lincoln and Killing Kennedy. The film is being shot in Morocco and is adapted to the screen by writer Walon Green. Christopher Menaul will direct the film. Ridley Scott and David Zucker are among the executive producers. It is expected to premiere on National Geographic Channel in 2015 in 171 countries and 45 languages.