OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
Christian actor Neal McDonough discussed his new end times film last week, as well as his faith and how difficult it has been to practice it while continuing to work in left, secular Hollywood.
According to CBN News, McDonough, who has a string of films to his credit and recent appearances in the smash hit series “Yellowstone,” talked about “Left Behind: Rise of the Antichrist,” his latest film project, as well as Tinsel Town’s efforts to ‘cancel’ him over his refusal to do certain scenes with women.
The film tells a version of what it might be like on earth after the biblical rapture. It is directed by Kevin Sorbo, who also has a starring role in the movie, and is scheduled to hit theaters on Jan. 26.
In an interview with “The Edifi Podcast,” McDonough noted that it was a “blessing” to be a part of the cast while talking about his character, Jonathan Stonagal, who is a rich and powerful man who is important to the “Left Behind” storyline.
“It’s nice to tap into people who are the big decision makers on this planet, and how these people get to power, and how they, at times, use their power for good,” he said. “And, at times, some of them use their power for obviously malicious intent and … their own betterment.”
He also said that putting characters like his front and center in films can demonstrate to people how they should be “wary” of anyone who says they want to lead but are really “just for themselves.”
“I think these kinds of tales are so well received by so many people because it talks about real life,” said McDonough. “You know, there’s the obvious massive scale that this film touches upon but, for me, it’s always the minutiae of the characters. And the characters in this piece are really well-crafted.”
CBN News added:
The actor openly discussed his Catholic faith and spoke about how God has blessed his life in incredible ways, including with a loving wife, wonderful kids, and a multifaceted career.
McDonough said he’s incredibly “humbled” when he considers all he’s been able to accomplish.
“God has given me so much and has blessed me with so much that it’s nice to play characters like this that take me out of me for a moment and [I] realize, ‘Holy cow. I’m so fortunate to be the person that I am,’” McDonough said. “And surrounded by the people that God has surrounded me with.”
Being in front of a camera is his “second happiest place on the planet,” he noted further, adding that he loves being with his wife, Ruve McDonough, more.
The actor has long refused to do sex scenes, which he says got him fired from the series “Scoundrels” in 2010. He also will not do kissing scenes on film.
“I have to play a lot of villains, because I won’t do certain scenes, and that’s fine,” he said. “I’ve loved my career getting to play Damien Darhk for all these years, getting to play all these other villainist characters ‘cuz it … makes me realize even more how much God has given me.”
McDonough, also known for recent parts in films like HBO’s “Band of Brothers,” a World War II drama, said the ostracizing he received for being a Christian led him to found his own film company. He said that he was essentially blacklisted in Hollywood in 2010, leading him to lose “basically everything” after being fired.
The actor went on to say that it was his faith that kept him going through that rough period in his life.
“I remember falling to my knees and saying, ‘God, why have you forgotten about me? Why am I being punished so much?’” He recalled. “And as soon as those words came out of my mouth, I realized what self-absorbed questions those were.”
“God has given me so much. We all experience challenges in our lives. I should be grateful – and thankful – for all the blessings I’m given,” he said, noting that he loves his “wife more than I love my profession” and saw doing love and sex scenes as insulting to her and his belief system.
