"House of David": A Fresh Take on the Timeless Tale of David and Goliath
Amazon Prime’s new series, "House of David," aims to breathe fresh life into one of the most enduring stories in the Bible: the epic clash between David and Goliath. The first three episodes are now available for streaming, with subsequent episodes released weekly on Thursdays, the series promises to deliver a compelling origin story for King David, centered, of course, on the iconic underdog battle.
What sets this adaptation apart, according to creator Jon Erwin, is its focus on making the seemingly impossible feat of David slaying Goliath with a sling and stone both visually impressive and believable. This isn’t your grandmother’s Sunday school rendition.
The series presents Goliath as a truly formidable opponent, towering nearly ten feet tall on screen. This imposing presence is achieved through a combination of the casting of Martyn Ford, the 6-foot-8-inch "Mortal Kombat" star and MMA fighter, and digital enhancements that amplify his size to near-mythical proportions. Ford, already a massive presence, was even encouraged to gain additional weight for the role, further solidifying Goliath’s intimidating physique.
In stark contrast, David, portrayed by Michael Iskander, is presented as a focused and skilled, albeit young, shepherd. Iskander, with his curly hair and intense gaze, embodies the image of a straight-up, dead-eyed stone slinger, perfectly capturing the essence of David’s unexpected prowess.
Erwin emphasizes the enduring power of the David and Goliath narrative, calling it "the origin story of origin stories, a 3,000-year-old hero’s journey." He highlights the series’ commitment to portraying the stone-slinging aspect with realism and impact, something he felt was lacking in previous adaptations.
Beyond the famed battle, the eight-episode first season explores David’s journey to becoming King of Israel, succeeding King Saul, played by Ali Suliman. The narrative also delves into the crucial role of the prophet Samuel, portrayed by Stephen Lang, known for his villainous roles in films like "Avatar," in guiding David’s destiny.
"House of David" boasts impressive credentials in the realm of faith-based drama, with Dallas Jenkins, the creator of "The Chosen," serving as a financial stakeholder and special advisor, adding another layer of authenticity and commitment to the project.
Erwin himself is no stranger to the faith-based movie scene, having produced modern tales such as "The Jesus Revolution" and the inspirational biopic of NFL quarterback Kurt Warner, "American Underdog," demonstrating his ability to blend faith-based themes with compelling storytelling.
The casting of Michael Iskander proved to be a stroke of luck, as the 23-year-old actor, fresh off his supporting role in the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical "Kimberly Akimbo," possessed unexpected athletic abilities that perfectly aligned with the demands of the role.
Iskander sealed the deal during his auditions by revealing his background in shot put and discus throwing in high school. This discovery proved to be serendipitous, as the motion of discus throwing closely mirrors the action of slinging a stone, giving him a natural advantage in portraying David’s expertise.
"After a screen test, I was like, ‘Guys, I used to throw the discus. Do you want to see?’" Iskander recounts. "I showed them the motion. And they were like, ‘That’s the move!’ And it helped out, I guess. I got the job."
To further enhance the authenticity of the stone-slinging sequences, Erwin brought in Rene Charest, an expert in ancient weaponry who goes by the pseudonym "Dash Rendar" on his YouTube channel and Instagram page. Charest, described as "ripped with long hair like an Old Spice commercial," dedicated years to perfecting the art of stone-slinging.
Charest traveled to the Greece set to train Iskander daily, teaching him a variety of techniques coded with numbers. The elaborate spinning throw showcased at the end of the trailer is a testament to Iskander’s dedication and Charest’s expertise. Notably, the impressive feat was achieved shortly after Iskander recovered from a shoulder injury.
"That was my first day back slinging after I injured my shoulder," Iskander reveals. "Everyone was holding their breath, but we did it nine times, and I was completely fine."
Iskander embraced every aspect of the role, including the shepherding, recognizing that David’s time tending sheep was crucial to honing his stone-slinging skills. He even underwent sheep management training to authentically portray David’s relationship with his flock.
"I thought, ‘I’m playing David, the sheep are going to love me,’" he admits, adding that the bonding process was a "ewe-volution." "On day one, the sheep just hated me and wanted nothing to do with me."
Despite his initial struggles with the sheep, Iskander excelled in other areas. The Egyptian-born actor, who moved to the United States at the age of nine, had no trouble with singing. However, he went above and beyond by purchasing a 10-string lyre on Amazon and teaching himself to play the ancient instrument while simultaneously learning the Shema prayer of faith in Hebrew from YouTube.
"I thought that even if I don’t get the part, whoever is going to play David has to do justice to the songs," Iskander explains, highlighting his commitment to honoring the character’s heritage.
Erwin praises Iskander’s multifaceted talents, saying, "He has the voice of an angel, he’s athletic, and he did the work."
Despite his skills and training, "House of David" doesn’t shy away from portraying David’s fear in the face of Goliath. These feelings are palpable, particularly given the imposing presence of Martyn Ford.
"And they asked me to put on a few pounds for the role, which was nice," says Ford, further amplifying Goliath’s formidable nature.
Beyond Ford’s physical presence, Goliath receives a significant visual upgrade through special effects. Erwin’s team digitally extended Goliath’s height to a staggering 9-foot-9 inches, creating an even more awe-inspiring figure.
"We made Goliath as tall as we could possibly historically justify, and as broad," Erwin explains, drawing inspiration from the Marvel Comics Universe. "Thanos in ‘The Avengers’ movies was always our benchmark. Goliath was a character who taunted and terrified the entire army of Israel for 40 days."
Ford also worked with a voice coach to minimize his British accent and received post-production enhancements to create a terrifying echo effect for Goliath’s bellows. For an actor known for playing intimidating characters like the brutish enforcer in "F9: The Fast Saga" and the gladiator Flama in "Those About to Die," Goliath represents the pinnacle of villainy.
"Goliath caps it all, even for someone who always plays the bad guy," Ford acknowledges. "I’m playing the ultimate bad guy in the history of stories." "House of David" is thus poised to offer a compelling and visually striking retelling of a timeless story, blending historical accuracy with creative storytelling and impressive performances.
