Biblical thriller will star Joseph Fiennes and Tom Felton.

LD Entertainment is to shoot Biblical thriller Clavius in Malta over the coming months.

Set in the first century, Joseph Fiennes will play an agnostic Roman Centurion tasked by Pontius Pilate to locate the missing body of Jesus in order to suppress an uprising at a time when rumours of the second coming are gathering momentum.

The feature, from Waterworld director Kevin Reynolds, is earmarked for release Easter 2015. Patrick Aiello wrote the screenplay and is producing alongside LD Entertainment CEO Mickey Liddell and head of production Pete Shilaimon.

Reynolds shot The Count of Monte Cristo in Malta in 2002.

Clavius is one of several productions preparing to shoot in Malta in the coming weeks, in what is “an unprecedented level of filming activity in Malta and Gozo”, according to the government.

Minister Manuel Mallia, who is responsible for the film industry, said that the government remained committed to building a sustainable film industry to create more job opportunities and generate economic activity.

Film Commissioner Engelbert Grech attributed this high level of activity to a new strategy, with an upgraded set of financial incentives and focused marketing campaigns targeting major markets.