Angel Studios, which released last year's surprise summer hit, Sound of Freedom, has acquired the rights to distribute Black Panther star Letitia Wright's new movie.
Possum Trot, which is executive produced by Wright through 3.16 Productions, is based on the true story of Bishop Martin and First Lady Donna Martin, and their small Bennett Chapel church in the town of Possum Trot, East Texas. The film tells the story of how 22 families adopted 77 of the most difficult to place children in the local foster care system, sparking a national movement for vulnerable children that continues today.
"The Martin family and this community have shown us a solution to the foster crisis. They're fighters and we believe this film will catalyze others to courageously follow their lead," director Joshua Weigel said in a statement shared with Newsweek. "I'm honored they asked us to tell their story, and that Angel Studios is bringing Possum Trot to the world."
Starring Nika King, Demetrius Grosse, Elizabeth Mitchell and Diaana Babnicova, the film is slated for a July 4 release, mirroring Sound of Freedom's debut.
Sound of Freedom is based on the life of former Homeland Security special agent Tim Ballard, played by Jim Caviezel. It follows Ballard as he sets up Operation Underground Railroad (O.U.R.), an anti-child-trafficking organization. He also embarks on a mission to rescue two Honduran children sold into sex slavery in Colombia.
A promotional featurette for Possum Trot marries the movie's plot with that of Sound of Freedom via opening text that reads: "Last July 4th, Sound of Freedom shined a light on the horrors of child trafficking. This July 4th, Possum Trot shines a light on the solution."
Appearing in the trailer, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever star Wright said the film raises the question of "how do we as a community, not only the church, but how do we rally everyone to step in for kids, because they are the future."
King, executive producer of Possum Trot alongside Wright and Joe Knittig, expressed her hopes that the movie will inspire others into action.
"I just pray that something in this movie makes your heart jump and [makes] you want to go out and be involved in the foster care crisis, because people like you are people who change the world," she said. "And if you feel that tugging at your heart, don't ignore it. Go after it and do something."
Jared Geesey, chief distribution officer of Angel Studios, said in a statement: "Possum Trot is a rare film that merges an incredible true story with the power to transform a critical issue facing our communities. Our Angel Guild was deeply moved by the story.
"Last July 4, Sound of Freedom brought issues of trafficking to the attention of millions, and we know that a staggering percentage of children from foster care become targets for trafficking. We hope to continue to build on that awareness and shine light on the next step this Independence Day."
With Possum Trot following Sound of Freedom's release schedule, it would be a boon for Angel Studios if the movie also mirrors the thriller's box office success. According to Box Office Mojo, the film's domestic earnings stand at $184,178,046 to date. Coupled with an international haul of $66,392,350, its worldwide total is now over $250 million.
On its first day of release, Sound of Freedom enjoyed a strong showing, beating Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny at the U.S. box office. The movie earned $14,242,063 on its first day in theaters, while the Indiana Jones flick made $11,698,989 domestically. Sound of Freedom's subsequent opening total amounted to a $19.6 million across 2,852 theaters—quite a feat, given its status as an independent film.
Sound of Freedom was also the first post-pandemic independent movie to pass the $100 million milestone domestically. It achieved that against a relatively modest budget of $14.5 million.
David A. Gross, who runs movie consulting firm Franchise Entertainment Research, previously told Newsweek that Sound of Freedom director Alejandro Monteverde and lead producer Eduardo Verástegui being natives of Mexico may have had some influence on large Hispanic audiences, as well as the setting.
"The story of a man fighting child trafficking in Latin America, and the Christian point of view, resonate with Hispanic values," Gross said of the film, which has been endorsed by prominent Republicans Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis, among others.
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