St. Joseph, the Earthly father of Jesus Christ, has been given a meatier role in the new film "The Young Messiah" by Director Cyrus Nowrasteh.

"I think in other films that have been done over the years, he's just kind of wallpaper, he's just kind of hanging around and frankly, not distinctive at all," Nowrasteh told the Catholic News Agency. "I thought to myself, 'That could not be the case.'"

There are but a few records of Joseph in the Gospel, but Nowrasteh believes that he "must have been strong and morally upright" given the "really heavy responsibility" God had given him in raising the Son of God.

Thus, Nowrasteh made it a point that Joseph is portrayed as a strong and firm decision-maker of the family.

"I was very motivated to make sure there was a very strong imprint of the Joseph character and his fatherly devotion to this child and his husbandly devotion to Mary and to protecting the family in chaotic times," the director said.

"We just know so little about Joseph that he certainly piqued my curiosity," he added.

Nowrasteh hopes that viewers would receive "powerful, living depictions" of the Holy Family and come out of the movie house "entertained, moved and transformed."

"Whether they're secular folks or faith-based audience, I hope they come out talking about Jesus, talking about what went on during those turbulent times when a messiah was born and emerged," he said.

"The Young Messiah" is based on the 2008 novel written by Ann Rice entitled "Christ the Lord." The story will start with the Holy Family returning to Nazareth after spending several years of refuge in Egypt.

Joseph is portrayed by Vincent Walsh in the film, while the seven-year-old Jesus is played by Adam Greaves-Neal. Mary is portrayed by Sara Lazzaro.