Alan Ritchson, star of Amazon Prime’s “Reacher” and “The Hunger Games,” calls movie theaters the new “pulpit” and says that Christian films need to be supported by Hollywood. He also spoke briefly on the importance of his faith and what it feels like to be a Christian in the Hollywood acting scene.
When asked whether he would like to act in faith-based films, Ritchson said, “I want to be a part of stories like that.” Christian Headlines shared this, and more, as part of a larger story about Ritchson faith journey in Hollywood. Christian Headlines says the Ritchson will be staring in a new and exciting faith-based film, writing:
Ritchson has a lead role in the upcoming faith-based movie Ordinary Angels, which was made by the same company (Kingdom Story) that produced Jesus Revolution. It tells the true story of a family facing a medical crisis and a single mom who rallied a church to help. Kingdom Story also produced American Underdog, I Can Only Imagine and I Still Believe.
Ordinary Angels is scheduled to be released Oct. 13. Ritchson calls it a story of God using broken people to accomplish His will.
Ritchson says that his goal is to continue on the path that “Jesus Revolution” blazed. If more Christian films make massive box office debuts, studios will be more incentivized to support the growing brand of media. Ritchson said:
“God continually shows up in our world in a way that kind of boggles our mind. Because we, for whatever reason, I think we continue to buy into the idea that … God chooses heroes to do His work. And it’s just never been the case. It’s the broken and the dysfunctional that God proves His power and strength through. And this a story of that, too. It’s important that we remember that those who maybe struggle to follow the rules, who don’t look like the perfect Christians, who are the broken, are the people that God has a funny way of expressing Himself through. And that story is very much told in Ordinary Angels.”
Ritchson sees these films as more than just entertainment for Christians. He understands that this may be the first time that someone encounters the gospel. Ritchson understands that much of this Christian movie industry is resting on the shoulders of star actors like himself. he said:
“And if that’s where the pulpit is for people who wouldn’t normally step foot in a church, then that’s still a great way to have that conversation,” Ritchson said. “ … It matters that these films get supported.”
When Christians support faith-based movies, he added, “Other people in [Hollywood] watch this and a groundswell kind of takes place in Hollywood that changes things in a real meaningful way.”
Here’s to hoping that more movies like “Jesus Revolution” and “His Only Son” can be successful and launch a new interest in the Cristian faith. While it may be a long shot that Hollywood buys into religion, it is clear that they will do whatever they can to make a quick buck. If Christian films can turn a solid profit, then there is a chance to see many more on the way.
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