Samuel L Jackson plays the Big Kahuna

Jackson is God and Blair Underwood is Jesus in a new audio adaptation of The Bible.

Nov 20 2006

Even without his bulging eyes and loaded gun, Samuel L Jackson had international audiences riveted during his biblical soliloquy in 'Pulp Fiction'. The actor's jerry-curled alter ego was so intimidating that it has virtually overshadowed every one of the actor's subsequent film roles. But Jackson's latest turn might be powerful enough to set a new precedent. On 'Inspired By…The Bible Experience: New Testament', an audio Bible that has been dominating Wal-Mart's best-seller list since it hit shelves in October, Jackson plays the Big Kahuna himself: God.

The 21-hour set of spoken word CDs with an all-black cast (featuring 'LA Law' alumnus Blair Underwood as Jesus), also features Hollywood heavyweights like Angela Bassett, Denzel Washington and Cuba Gooding Jr. Rarely do audio books, let alone religious ones, make it to the best-seller list but the star power of 'Inspired By…' has secured its position at the top of the list since its release.

The audio Bible was produced by Kyle Browser, a former TV executive who has worked on shows like 'In Living Colour'. The black businessman wanted to reinvigorate the Bible so that it would be inspirational once again, especially for the black community.

The next instalment of the religious audio collection, 'The Old Testament', is due out in 2007. But Jackson fans beware; the actor will not be reprising the role of God.