After the faith-based film “Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot” opened in theaters, one of its executive producers, “Black Panther” star Letitia Wright, distanced herself from the film’s partner The Daily Wire, the right-wing media company co-founded by Ben Shapiro.
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“To be clear, after we completed the production of this film, Angel Studios were brought on board to handle its distribution and they later partnered with The Daily Wire,” Wright wrote in a statement posted to Instagram . “That was not my decision, and I was not given an update or made aware of this decision. I am in no way aligned or affiliated with the The Daily Wire. I am thankful for all who want to positively champion this film and campaign to serve children. However, I do not condone using this beautiful film for divisive political purposes.”
“The Daily Wire is truly honored to partner with Angel Studios on such an important project,” Daily Wire co-CEO Jeremy Boreing said in a statement to Variety . “But, such is the intolerance of the modern left that instead of celebrating this accomplishment and all it might mean, one of the film’s producers, Letitia Wright of ‘Black Panther’ fame, used the occasion to condemn The Daily Wire’s involvement in sharing this message across the country. Letitia and I probably don’t share the same politics, but I believe we share a Christian faith and, more importantly, the same goal of shining a light on something we can all agree on — a community banding together to help kids in need. We hope people don’t allow this distraction to steal from the message from the film and the impact it can have. Everyone should see this movie and join the fight for kids. It’s too important not to.”
Angel Studios also responded to Wright’s remarks in the following statement to Variety : “This powerful film takes a stand for vulnerable kids, and we’re pursuing partners who are passionate about this fight. Angel Studios is grateful for both Letitia and Daily Wire’s partnership on getting this story out into the world, and everyone concerned about the foster care and adoption crisis to get involved and see ‘Sound of Hope.'”
Variety has reached out to The Daily Wire for comment.
On June 13, 2024, The Daily Wire announced that its streaming service, DailyWire+ had struck a deal with distributor Angel Studios to release “Sound of Hope” in theaters. It was announced that the film, produced by Peacetree Productions, was acquired by Angel Studios — the distributor behind 2023’s smash hit Christian thriller “Sound of Freedom” — in February.
“Sound of Hope” tells the true story of Bishop W. C. Martin and Donna Martin, who led an effort with families from their church to adopt 77 children stuck in the foster system. “By doing the impossible … this East Texas community proved that, with real, determined love, the battle for America’s most vulnerable can be won,” reads the logline on Angel Studios’ website .
On the film’s July 4 release date, Daily Wire columnist and conservative pundit Matt Walsh posted a thread on X promoting “Sound of Hope.” In it, he wrote, “Today, leftists are trying to stop Christians from saving more children,” among other incendiary remarks about transgender foster kids.
The Daily Wire has promoted “Sound of Hope” in other ways, too, including a filmed conversation between Shapiro and the real-life Bishop Martin.
“It’s a shame to see pockets of discourse online take a divisive political turn. This story isn’t about politics, it’s about children. … Any conversation that detracts from that is unnecessary and harmful,” wrote Wright, who has been vocal about her devout Christianity.
Wright added that “despite all this, I stand firm in the belief that this film will rise above the discourse to speak for itself.”
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During the COVID-19 pandemic, Wright was criticized for sharing anti-vaccine sentiments on social media, causing the actor to temporarily delete her Instagram and Twitter accounts. She later denied a report that claimed she touted an anti-vaccine position while working on the set of the 2022 Marvel sequel “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.”
“Sound of Hope” has collected $7 million at the U.S. box office since its July 4 opening. As the distributor did with “Sound of Freedom,” Angel Studios has initiated a “Pay It Forward” system, which allows people to buy movie tickets for others to claim for free. A similar campaign helped drive 2023’s “Sound of Freedom” to $250 million worldwide.
Read Wright’s full statement below:
Producing this film alongside Peacetree Productions, to tell the incredible story of Bishop W.C. Martin, First Lady Donna Martin and all the incredible families of Possum Trot has been nothing less than inspiring. We have created a beautiful film that gives a voice to vulnerable children, with the hope that families across the country & world, no matter their faith, race or diversity, would join together to help children, to be moved to make a difference in any way they can.
Which is why it’s a shame to see small pockets of discourse online take a divisive political turn. This story isn’t about politics, it’s about children. It’s about sacrificial love for children who have experienced unthinkable horrors and how communities at a grassroots level – like the community of Possum Trot – can help provide the safe, loving homes they so desperately need. Any conversation that detracts from that is unnecessary and harmful. The potential for this film to positively change lives is far too important.
To be clear, after we completed the production of this film, Angel Studios were brought on board to handle its distribution and they later partnered with The Daily Wire. That was not my decision, and I was not given an update or made aware of this decision. I am in no way aligned or affiliated with the The Daily Wire. I am thankful for all who want to positively champion this film and campaign to serve children. However, I do not condone using this beautiful film for divisive political purposes. That is not why I joined the project.
Despite all this, I stand firm in the belief that this film will rise above the discourse to speak for itself, and I encourage audiences everywhere to be inspired & witness the incredible true story of how a small church community changed the lives of 77 young children in Texas, and become part of the movement to change the lives of children across America & the World.
If we don’t fight for them, who will?
Love & respect.
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