Throughout the 1950s, John Farrow began developing a proposed film project based on the life of Jesus, tentatively titled "Son of Man". In November 1958, actual development began when Farrow partnered with Samuel Bronston following their collaboration on "John Paul Jones" (1959). However, by the next year, Farrow left the project due to creative differences, and Nicholas Ray was shortly after hired as director. Ray then hired screenwriter Philip Yordan to write a new script. Prominent actors were considered to portray multiple roles. Filming commenced in April 1960, and wrapped in October 1960. Financing of the film was initially provided by Pierre S. du Pont III, but Bronston appealed for more funding from Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer who was interested in the film following their success with "Ben-Hur" (1959). With MGM involved, mandatory rewrites and additional scenes were added to the film. Reshoots were shot in December 1960 and again in May 1961.