Satan Cast Out of 'Son of God'

The character of Satan in the blockbuster mini-series The Bible caused a sensation because some say he looked like President Obama. But now, the Devil has been cast out.

The controversial Satan scenes have been cut from Son of God, the two-hour movie based on the mini-series that opens in theaters on February 28th.

Producer Roma Downey of Touched by an Angel fame told The Hollywood Reporter: "I cast Satan out."

Rebecca Ford of The Hollywood Reporter told INSIDE EDITION, "She told us that she didn't want the discussion to be about what Satan looked like on the big screen. They wanted the focus to really be on Jesus' story."

Christian leaders across America are doing their best to turn Son of God into box office gold. Mega-church Pastor Rick Warren is buying out movie theaters showing Son of God in 10 cities. Televangelist Joel Osteen is distributing 8,000 tickets to his congregation.

Ford said, "Producers Mark Burnett and Roma Downey have spent a lot of time reaching out to the religious communities. They told me they've been to more than 30 churches around the country."

But another Bible-based movie out next month, Noah, starring Russell Crowe finds itself is in the eye of a storm. Devout Christians who have been shown sneak previews are angry that Noah is portrayed in one scene as drunk.
 
"Russell Crowe's portrayal of Noah might be a little different than what people are expecting who follow the text literally," said Ford.

One Christian complained that Russell Crowe plays Noah as a "A crazy, irrational, religious nut."