Vatican disputes pope film claim, says pontiff not an actor

VATICAN CITY -- The Vatican is disputing a U.S. film studio's claim the pope is making his movie debut, saying no scenes were shot for the venture, and the pope isn't an actor.

Los Angeles-based AMBI Pictures headlined its news release: "Film Will Mark First Ever Big Screen Participation Role for the Leader of the Worldwide Catholic Church."

Monsignor Dario Vigano, head of the Vatican's communications operation, acknowledged he couldn't exclude that filmmakers got hold of some clips of the pope. But in comments broadcast Tuesday on Vatican Radio, Vigano disputed the news release claiming Francis would "play himself" in the film "Beyond the Sun."

He said: "The pope is not an actor."

AMBI described the film as "a family adventure story where children from different cultures emulate the apostles while searching for Jesus in the world around them."

AMBI Pictures has produced a handful of releases, including Barry Levinson's "The Humbling," with Al Pacino, and an upcoming John Steinbeck adaptation by James Franco. In November, it drew headlines when it said it would remake Christopher Nolan's "Memento."

The company said "Beyond the Sun" initiated with Francis asking the filmmakers to make a movie for children that communicates Jesus's message. The news release was accompanied by photos of the pope with the filmmakers.

The Vatican works hard to control the pope's image, enforcing tough copyright restrictions on visual media, and Vigano's reaction to the announcement was a clear sign the Vatican didn't appreciate the hype.

But Francis has been known to go his own way, allowing friends to shoot video of him to convey messages to private gatherings: He delivered such a message to the Argentine Jewish community and to a gathering of American Pentecostals.

Vigano's comment he couldn't exclude that the filmmakers had some footage of the pope suggested they might have secured some video of him in the privacy of his hotel reception rooms.

The organizers said all profits from the film will go to two Argentina-based charities that help at-risk children and young adults.

A spokesman for AMBI declined to comment Tuesday.