Everything We Know About This JESUS REVOLUTION Star’s Next Movie

Published: July 16, 2025

By Mallory Mattingly

SOUL ON FIRE, a movie from SOUL SURFER director Sean McNamara and starring JESUS REVOLUTION’s Joel Courtney, will release in theaters Oct. 10, 2025.

Based on a true story recounted in John O’Leary’s memoir On Fire, “The story follows O’Leary’s journey after sustaining life-threatening burns as a child, eventually becoming an internationally recognized speaker,” Courtney’s website describes.

Courtney stars as O’Leary. Other cast members include John Corbett (MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING), Stephanie Szostak (A MILLION LITTLE THINGS), Masey McLain (THE BAXTERS), DeVon Franklin (JESUS REVOLUTION) and William H. Macy (FARGO).

“…this film is an emotional and faith-filled portrait of resilience as O’Leary not only battles to survive but ultimately discovers what it means to truly live. From frontline workers to family members, and the support of the wider community, this film is a celebration of heroes,” a synopsis added.

The movie was written by Gregory Poirier. J. Todd Harris, Margaret French Isaac, David Brookwell and McNamara serve as producers on the project. Executive producers include Linda B. Huntington, O’Leary, Terry Schnuck, Michael W. Riney, Quirsis V. Riney and Poirier.

Courntey just attended the movie’s press day, sharing moments from the event on Instagram.

“Press day for @soulonfiremovie!!! In theaters October 10th!!! Rocking @originusa head to toe. 100% Made in America 💪🏼 Thank you @macpowell for the perfect song,” he wrote as Third Day’s song “Soul On Fire” played in the background.

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A post shared by Joel Courtney (@joel_courtney)

In April, when Courtney announced the project, he said, “This story has changed my life and whole life perspective,” calling O’Leary “One of the most incredible, inspiring, and coolest people I’ve ever met.”

For actress Stephanie Szostak, being part of SOUL ON FIRE was years in the making.

“If you want a little behind the scenes…this is how this role came about for me,” she wrote on Instagram. “My husband heard John speak about 15 years ago at a work event. Came home that night holding a DVD of John speaking and said, ‘You’ve got to watch this.’ So we sat down as a family and watched John tell us his incredible story of being burned as a young boy (100% of his body) with almost no chance of making it.”

“A few years later, we read his memoir On Fire, then started listening to his podcast Living Inspired,” she added. “And then in 2018, I wrote him a letter telling him what an incredible impact he’s had on our family, and oh by the way, I have a new show called A MILLION THINGS coming out, and would he consider having me on his podcast. He said yes. This was my first ever podcast, and it was a conversation I will never forget. It was like having tea with a new friend. John and I stayed in touch and became friends. And five years later, in 2023, he texted asking if I knew of any cute brunettes who could play his Mom ;).”