Why This Actress Wanted to Star in the Kendrick Brothers’ Next Movie
By Movieguide® Contributor
Actress, author and evangelist Priscilla Shirer Shannon Bream’s “Livin’ the Bream” podcast to talk about her new movie, THE FORGE.
“Well, it really is a captivating story. It is a single mother — I’m a single mother of a young man who’s about 19, 20 years old,” Shirer said of why she was drawn to THE FORGE.
Shirer then told Bream that when the Kendrick brothers first called her to play the role of a mom to a 20-year-old, her first thought was, “That is terrible casting. What makes them think I would be able to play a woman who looks like she has a 20-year-old son?”
However, she quickly realized, “Oh, in real life, I actually do have a 20-year-old son, so I probably do look like that,” she added, laughing.
THE FORGE follows Isaiah Wright, a young man who “has some growing up to do.”
“A year out of high school with no plans for his future, Isaiah is challenged by his single mom and a successful businessman to start charting a better course for his life. Through the biblical discipleship from his new mentor, prayers of his mother and a prayer warrior named Miss Clara, Isaiah begins to discover God’s purpose for his life is so much more than he could hope for or imagine. From the Kendrick Brothers, the creators of the No. 1 hit WAR ROOM, comes THE FORGE, a faith-filled new movie with familiar friends and inspiring new twists,” a synopsis of the film reads.
Shirer’s own experience as a mom to sons further sparked her interest in taking on the role.
“The film is about a young man who is trying to come into manhood, but as a single mom, and you can do it successfully, but there are going to be little gaps in handing a boy his man card,” Shirer explained. “Another man has to fill in some of those spaces and just exemplifying for him what it looks like to be a man who is responsible, has character and integrity. And is loving towards his family and is responsible towards his work and work ethic.
“Really, all of those things and the example of another male doing it, and I’m saying this from the perspective of being a mother of three sons,” she continued. “And just realizing the impact their dad’s example or their grandfathers or uncles or coaches in my sons’ lives who have come along and have cared more about character and integrity than they did just about athleticism. That sort of impact in the life of a young man is huge.”
THE FORGE will hit theaters on Aug. 23.
Movieguide® previously reported:
“THE FORGE is a bold, inspirational drama about the power of mentorship that takes place in the same cinematic world as WAR ROOM, their 2015 hit film that claimed the #1 spot on the North American box office charts,” a press release announced…
“We made this film to inspire, challenge and motivate viewers to follow Jesus wholeheartedly,” says director Alex Kendrick. “Our hope is that audiences around the world will recognize the pivotal role that Godly mentorship plays in shaping the next generation.”
The movie stars several big-name actors, including Priscilla Shirer (WAR ROOM), Cameron Arnett (OVERCOMER) and Karen Abercrombie (WAR ROOM).
Newcomer Aspen Kennedy stars alongside T.C. Stallings (WAR ROOM), BJ Arnett, Ken Bevel (COURAGEOUS), Former NFL star Benjamin Watson, Jonathan Evans, Jerry Shirer and Tommy Woodard (FAMILY CAMP).
