By Kayla DeKraker
Most people know Dallas Jenkins for the hit Bible series THE CHOSEN, but did you know that earlier in his career, he created a movie starring actor Kevin Sorbo?
Titled WHAT IF…, the 2010 movie, inspired by IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE, follows “Ben Walker (Kevin Sorbo), a businessman who abandoned his faith. One day, Ben wakes up living the life he was destined for — married to his college sweetheart (Kristy Swanson) and serving as a small-town pastor.”
Sorbo jumped on the project.
“I read the script he [Jenkins] gave it to me. I read it an airplane, and I was like, ‘I gotta be in this movie,’” Sorbo told Movieguide®’s Kaelii Williams. “I called him up and I said, ‘Who’s playing Pastor Ben?’ because he initially just wanted my opinion on the movie, the script. He said, ‘Well, I got this guy and that guy.’ I said, ‘No, it’s me.’ He says, ‘Man, I can’t afford you. It’s a really low budget movie.’ I said, ‘I don’t care. Pay me whatever.’ I said, ‘I got to do this movie. And I just love the story behind it. You know, it is a reverse IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE.”
Sorbo loves the film so much that he believes it’s better than almost any other project he’s worked on.
“It’s a great story,” he emphasized. “Look, I’ve done over 90 movies. This is in my top three. Easily. It’s better, in my book, it’s better than GOD’S NOT DEAD. It’s the same writers — Chuck and Cary, awesome writers. They’re not offended by me saying that because they believe it’s better as well.”
Sorbo also commented on the need for more wholesome movies as a way to witness to others.
“We have a spiritual battle in this country, and we need to fight back to the evil, horrible movies Hollywood keeps doing,” he said. “So people need to wake up and fight back and not be afraid to go to a movie theater.”
He believes that movie theaters can reach those who wouldn’t go to church otherwise.
“I understand the agnostics and the atheists in the world, if they got religious friends, those people say, ‘Hey, want to come my church?’ ‘No, I don’t want to go.’ …but ask[ing] them to come to movie is a whole different story.”
Along with Sorbo, the movie stars John Ratzenberger, Debby Ryan and Kristy Swanson.
Movieguide® rated WHAT IF… highly, saying, “Kevin Sorbo does a terrific job as Ben. Another bright light in the movie is John Ratzenberger. He is the funniest angel to come along in a long time. The dialogue is terrific and funny.”
Movieguide® also commented on Jenkins’ skill: “What makes the movie work is the direction. Dallas Jenkins exercises his considerable talent to bring out the best in each actor and tell the story in a heartwarming, hilarious, evangelistic manner.”
WHAT IF… will be return to theaters for a limited time, thanks to Fathom Entertainment, next month on Aug. 5 and 7 to celebrate the movie’s 15th anniversary.
Read Next: Kevin Sorbo Calls Out Hollywood Experience
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