Shadow and Act has learned that a reimagining of the 1996 holiday film The Preacher’s Wife is in the works from producers Angela Bassett and one of the film’s original stars, Courtney B. Vance. The husband and wife duo are producing the project through their Bassett-Vance Productions and Anthony Hemingway is attached to direct.
It will be based on the 1996 film of the same name, which was directed by Penny Marshall and starred Denzel Washington, Whitney Houston, and Vance. Over the years it has become a holiday favorite and the soundtrack for the movie is the best-selling gospel album of all time. BVP acquired the rights to the film from Samuel Goldwyn and closed the deal for Hemingway to direct and produce.
Vance is set to appear in this new film as well.
Of course, 1996 version of the film was itself a remake of The Bishop’s Wife, which starred Cary Grant, Loretta Young and David Niven in 1947. It is based on the book The Bishop’s Wife by Robert Nathan. In the 1996 version, an angel (Washington) comes to earth to help a preacher (Vance) and his wife (Houston) save the church and his family.
Hemingway and Vance worked together on 'American Crime Story: The People Vs. OJ Simpson' and they both won emmys.
“Christmas has always been my favorite time of the year. To be re-imagining this classic and beloved holiday story is a gift. When Whitney Davis brought this idea to me, I instinctively called Courtney and we knew instantly that we’d be working together to bring this uplifting story to new audiences,” said Hemingway in a statement received by S&A. “I couldn’t be more thrilled to be working with my friends Courtney and Angela, as well as our amazing teams at Bassett Vance Productions and Anthony Hemingway Productions.”
“Anthony will bring his distinctive, compelling cinematic style to create a fresh take on this beloved classic, while still maintaining the elements of the film that audiences have loved through the years,” stated Bassett Vance Productions’ (BVP) Head of Development, Lynnette Ramirez.
“We couldn’t be more pleased to be developing this project with Anthony,” added BVP’s producing partner Dwayne Johnson-Cochran explained. “We are looking to creatively evolve the story in a new direction, as well as boost the musicality of this modern version.”
“Anthony is one of the most gifted directors I have ever had the privilege to work with. I’ve often said wherever Anthony goes, I follow. That’s how much trust and confidence I have in him as a visionary and storyteller,” said Vance. “This is a film that I hold close to my heart, and I recognize that countless others feel the same way. That’s why I am thrilled that Anthony and I will be working together to share this uplifting story with a whole new generation.”
The project will be produced by Anthony Hemingway, along with Whitney Davis and Kyndra “Binkie” Reevey as executive producers for AHP. Courtney B. Vance and Angela Bassett will also serve as producers, along with Johnson-Cochran and Ramirez as executive producers for Bassett Vance Productions.
