Actor Dean Cain Discusses New Faith-Based Role In Upcoming Movie, NO VACANCY
By Movieguide® Staff
Actor Dean Cain, best known for his iconic role as Superman in LOIS & CLARK, recently discussed his new faith-based movie, NO VACANCY.
The powerful true story intertwines the individual accounts of Cecil Johnson (T.C. Stallings), journalist Brandi Michaels (Sean Young), and Pastor Cliff Lea (Cain) and their efforts to show Christ to the homeless population in Leesburg, Florida.
A portion of Movieguide®’s review reads:
NO VACANCY tells the true story of a reporter named Brandi Michaels, who’s demoted to the rural town of Leesburg, Florida. Brandi must pursue a story about Pastor Cliff Lea and First Baptist Church of Leesburg’s efforts to support the homeless through the purchase of a motel. However, the church needs $600,000 before the deadline or they won’t be able to buy the building. As Brandi covers the incredible story of faith and provision, she begins not only to rethink the purpose of her career, but her spiritual faith as well.
NO VACANCY portrays this true story in a lively, compelling way that keeps viewers engaged from start to finish. The performances by Sean Young, TC Stallings and Dean Cain bring their characters to life. NO VACANCY has a strong Christian, biblical, moral worldview. It stresses prayer, trusting God over man, redemption, the power of the Gospel, helping other people, and unity. It also supports the church and the gospel call to care for the needy. MOVIEGUIDE® advises caution for older children because of references to drug addiction and some intense scenes featuring violence.
“Well, the story is tremendous, Cecil Johnson’s real story and the fact that it’s a true story. It’s so inspiring and so wonderful and it’s the kind of project that I want to be associated with,” Cain told Movieguide® in a recent interview. “Pastor Cliff Lea, who I play in the film, is maybe the nicest man on the planet, he’s such a great guy. I don’t know if I did him justice by playing him or not, but he is such a great, great guy, and I loved to be a part of a film that has such a great, wonderful, inspiring message.”
Cain said that he hopes the movie offers inspiration to Christians today, who are called to show the love of Christ to everyone in their community.
“Cliff wanted to buy the Good Samaritan Inn and turn it into a homeless shelter,” he explained. “He was doing that right thing as a Christian that you should do, and he met with that opposition, because a lot of people don’t want to get their hands dirty. They felt like you know, some people said, you take in one stray cat and all sudden, there’s 12 stray cats, and there’s some validity to their arguments. And in that sense, and I could see why people would say that. At the same time, if you’re gonna call yourself a Christian, and you really want to do good for people, that’s what you do. And Cliff’s faith, it gets tested in the film quite a bit. But his faith was very strong, and he knew what he was doing was right.”
Although Cecil Johnson died in 2019, Cain said that he and his co-stars worked closely with the real-life people they portray in NO VACANCY.
“We don’t have to pretend you know, we’re here. So that’s one less thing we have to pretend about and it was great. I’d see Cliff. We’d meet other members of the church community that we’re playing. It really felt like a big family together making the film. It was wonderful,” he said.
Cain, who lives in California, encouraged Christians and non-Christians alike to take up the task of helping the homeless, not with “handouts, but with hand ups.”
“We have half the nation’s homeless here in California, and we’re not doing the right things to help them, Christian or not Christian,” he explained.” Hopefully, if it doesn’t change other Christians and call them into action, it gets people who aren’t Christian to do the right thing.”
“Give people a hand up, you don’t have to always give them a handout, but give them a hand up, give them a path,” he added. “We have the funds and the ability to do it here in California, we’re just doing the right thing.”
While Cain tackles roles that are not strictly faith-based projects, he said that the atmosphere on the set of a movie where people are of one mind is unbeatable.
“I started making some faith based films, with my son coming out to set and I wanted him to be able to be on set, and be around these types of people and hear these kinds of messages and see these kinds of stories,” he said. “So that he understood, what people can go through and how they can come out the other side. We all make mistakes, we all get down, and if you get that hand up, whether it’s God’s hand lifting you or through someone else, it’s wonderful to be a part of those. I like to be around those types of people who are doing that kind of positive thing.”
Despite his long resume of movies and TV, Cain said that his favorite role is as a father to his son, Christopher.
“It’s the greatest thing I’ve ever been a part of,” he said. “I look at my life in little sections, and the best part of my life has been since he’s been on this planet. It opens everything in your mind. You’re not the most important person in your own world anymore. You know, someone else’s happiness and comfort is more important. There’s a saying someone said, that you’re only as happy as your least happy child. Which I get. I believe it 100%.”
“Since I only have one, I got a lot resting on that kid’s head,” he joked.
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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.
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