The production company behind “Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot” has issued an apology to its executive producer, Letitia Wright, for not informing her about the involvement of the conservative outlet, The Daily Wire, in the film’s distribution and marketing. Wright, known for her role in “Black Panther,” had championed the project without accepting compensation, driven by her commitment to the cause.
Director Josh Weigel and producer Rebekah Weigel of Peacetime Productions expressed their regret in a statement, acknowledging that Wright was not informed about the partnership with The Daily Wire. “We are grateful for all she has done, and regret she wasn’t informed about the partnership with The Daily Wire. That was not handled well, and we apologize for putting her in this position,” they said.
The film, which tells the true story of a Christian church in Texas whose members adopted more than 70 hard-to-place foster children, became the center of controversy after Wright posted on Instagram that she was blindsided by The Daily Wire’s involvement. “After we completed production of the 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,” Wright wrote.
Her statement came shortly after The Daily Wire’s Matt Walsh claimed on social media that “leftists are trying to stop Christians from saving more children.” Wright made it clear that she does not condone using the film for divisive political purposes, stating, “I am in no way aligned or affiliated with The Daily Wire. I do not condone using this beautiful film for divisive political purposes. That is not why I joined the project.”
Despite the apology, the Weigels defended their relationship with The Daily Wire, expressing gratitude for the outlet’s support. “We are deeply grateful for the tireless support of The Daily Wire and its hosts,” they said. They emphasized that the film’s message is about helping children in the foster care system, not about political divisions. “It’s not about left and right, it’s about right and wrong. Like the community in this film, we want to see many more churches courageously step forward and adopt children, and we’re going to continue to stand with everyone who takes that position.”
The controversy has sparked a broader discussion about the intersection of politics and film distribution. Jeremy Boreing, co-CEO of The Daily Wire, did not respond to requests for comment but previously attributed Wright’s comments to “the intolerance of the modern left.” Conservatives on social media criticized Wright and Hollywood’s liberal tendencies, accusing them of insisting on conformity within the industry.
Angel Studios, which produced the film, also weighed in on the controversy. President Jordan Harmon stated, “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 we encourage everyone concerned about the foster care and adoption crisis to get involved and see ‘Sound of Hope.'”
The film, released on July 4, follows the true story of Bishop W.C. Martin and Donna Martin and their church in East Texas, and their efforts to help 22 families adopt 77 children from the local foster system. Angel Studios, which also produced the faith-based hit film “Sound of Freedom,” initially acquired “Sound of Hope” from Peacetree Productions and later partnered with The Daily Wire for its distribution.
The Weigels reiterated their commitment to the film’s mission, stating, “We created this film in the hope it would ignite a movement to end the foster crisis.” They acknowledged the backlash but stood by their decision to partner with The Daily Wire, emphasizing the importance of addressing the foster care crisis. “There are—in fact—real efforts to prevent families of faith from adopting, and this is a pivotal part of the conversation around helping kids who are suffering in a broken system.”
Wright’s distancing from the project highlights the complexities and challenges of navigating partnerships in the film industry, especially when political affiliations come into play. The apology from the film’s creators underscores the importance of transparency and communication in such collaborations.
“Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot” is currently in theaters, and the conversation around the film continues to evolve as audiences engage with its powerful message and the surrounding controversy.
Source: Newsweek, The Hollywood Reporter, Deadline
