Letitia Wright Tells Upset Fans She Had ‘No Control’ Over ‘Sound of Hope’ Movie Partnering With Right-Wing Daily Wire: ‘Not My Decision’
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.
“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.”
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Variety has reached out to The Daily Wire and Angel Studios 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.”
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 converts donations into free movie tickets available to claim. 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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