Zondervan and Inspired By Media Group will release Inspired By … The Bible Experience, a dramatized audio recording of the Bible, featuring film and theater stars, this fall. More than 80 stars-such as Angela Bassett (Esther), Blair Underwood (Jesus), Denzel Washington (Solomon) and Cuba Gooding Jr. (Judas)-lend their voices to this project.

Inspired By … The Bible Experience is a re-enactment based on the entire text of the New Testament, and includes dramatic performances set to sound effects and an original musical underscore.

The Audio Bible was developed and produced by Inspired By Media Group, a company comprised of new media and entertainment industry veterans who produce products for the faith-based and family markets. The company also plans to launch Inspired By … Old and New Testaments in 2007, as well as branded products and an accompanying soundtrack.

“With the recent resurgence of faith-based entertainment, and its appeal to both urban and mainstream audiences, this project serves as a cultural bridge connecting people of all races and ethnicities,” said Ron Belk, president and CEO of Inspired By Media Group.

TV and film producer Kyle Bowser, GRAMMY-winning music producer Louis “Buster” Brown and Emmy-winning casting director Robi Reed serve with Belk as executive producers for Inspired By ….

Other stars that will be featured on Inspired By … include Tisha Campbell Martin, Loretta Devine, Charles Dutton, Robert Guillaume, Jasmine Guy, Boris Kodjoe, Iyanla Vanzant, Juanita Bynum, Shirley Caesar, rapper Common, Faith Evans, Heavy D, Kirk Franklin, MC Lyte and Angie Stone.

The audio Bible will be recorded using Zondervan's TNIV Bible translation.