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FATHER STU: REBORN’s Mel Gibson On The ‘Thirst For More Profound, Faith-Based Content’

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FATHER STU: REBORN’s Mel Gibson On The ‘Thirst For More Profound, Faith-Based Content’

By Movieguide® Staff

Mark Wahlberg and Mel Gibson revisit the true story of Stuart Long in the new movie, FATHER STU:REBORN. FATHER STU was initially released in April of this year, but the filmmakers re-edited the movie to make it more family friendly.

Gibson recently spoke with Movieguide® about their vision for the movie and how they promoted faith in an industry that is hostile to Christianity.

“I think he [Wahlberg] realized that there was a thirst out there for sort of more profound, faith based content,” Gibson said. “Also the model with which we did it, which was to just kind of get it up and running yourself, and self-finance and see how it went. He took the gamble, and I think it’s paid off.”

“I can’t tell Mark anything about business,” he added. “But I recognize that he was correct. And his assumption that there was supply and demand, there was a real demand for this kind of thing. When I saw the screenplay, finally, I realized that it really sort of hit the mark. It was very, not sugar-coated, not preaching to the choir, it was solid, about real people.”

Gibson added that their approach to making the movie mirrored Stuart Long’s conversion, from self-fulfilling career choices to time as a priest in the Catholic church.

“This is what this man does, he finds a purpose by acknowledging there’s something greater than him,” he said of Father Long. “Then finding humility, he travels from ego to humility. Then he’s able to sort of weather the next batch of storms that come along. Because he didn’t get dealt a great hand

“He had some suffering,” he added. “But he was predisposed to understand that suffering in a way that gave him purpose, and that there was a reason for it. He triumphed over that, and he gave it to a lot of other people. He took what he gained and learned and handed it to people, and people closest to him, his parents, you know, that’s great.”

Gibson and Wahlberg are not shy about their connection to church and faith. The PASSION OF THE CHRIST director said that truth, told compellingly, connects with audiences.

“I think people laugh when they recognize the truth,” he said. “So there were laughs from truth and character, and then of course, they cry for the same reasons because they laugh with you. It’s a pretty well balanced screenplay.”

According to the Movieguide® review: 

FATHER STU: REBORN stars Mark Wahlberg as a rough man with a hard life. Stu has been so beaten up in the boxing ring that his doctor tells him he must stop boxing or die. So, he moves to Hollywood and gets a job as a butcher while pursuing acting. At his grocery store, Stu meets Carmen, a beautiful woman. Carmen tells Stu she will only see him if he comes to church and helps her teach Sunday School. One night, after drinking too much, Stu gets on a motorcycle and is hit by a car. Will Stu change his ways and follow God?

FATHER STU: REBORN has a powerful Christian worldview about everyone being able to change and be transformed by Jesus Christ. FATHER STU: REBORN is also a very entertaining, well-made and well-acted movie that’s been modified from the original R-rated version, FATHER STU. This version has less foul language, though it still has some light sexual commentary and some cursing. FATHER STU: REBORN has some witty humor but also several touching moments that will melt your heart.

Movieguide® previously reported on Wahlgberg’s motivation for making FATHER STU:

Wahlberg said that people need movies that champion faith and hope in today’s era of uncertainty.

“It’s just about finding the right story to tell at the right time. You know, these movies are not easy to get made,” he said.

“God has continued to bless me and put me in this situation not to continue to grow and work on Mark Wahlberg the person, but to do His work and finally, giving me the skills and tools to go out and articulate the message He wants me to articulate,” he added.

Wahlberg said that Father Stu reminds people that with faith in God, there is always hope.

“It’s about not giving up,” Wahlberg said of a pivotal scene where Father Stu speaks to prisoners. “Stu speaks their language. ‘God is not going to give up on you. Don’t you dare go and give up on yourselves.’ He’s challenging them to turn their lives around. It’s never too late. As long as you’re breathing you have an opportunity to redeem yourself.”

The LONE SURVIVOR actor hopes that the movie will encourage young men to trust God and pursue what He calls them to do in their life.

“People need to have faith and hope. Young men need to know what it’s like to be a real man. And you could list a million reasons – just turn on the news, anywhere you look there are reasons for encouraging people to have faith and to have hope,” Wahlberg said. “I didn’t know we’d be releasing this movie in a pandemic; I just knew that I needed to make this movie, that this was my calling, this was my mission and now it’s needed more than ever. Hopefully it will help a lot of people.”

Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.

What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.

You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.

Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.


Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.

What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.

You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.

Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.