By Ron Wynn
NASHVILLE, TN — One of the more popular contemporary holiday films is “The Preacher’s Wife.” The 1996 version was an updated remake of the 1947 original. That version of “The Preacher’s Wife’ co-starred Cary Grant, Loretta Young and David Niven and was about an angel coming to earth to help a preacher and his wife save both the church and congregation. The 1996 rendition co-starred Denzel Washington, Whitney Houston and Courtney Vance. The soundtrack for the 1996 version is the best selling gospel album of all time.
Now the new version is coming from producers Angela Bassett and one of the film’s original stars, Vance. The husband and wife duo are producing it through their Bassett-Vance Productions and Anthony Hemingway is attached to direct. Penny Marshall directed the 1996 edition of “The Preacher’s Wife.”
The news was initially announced on the Shadow and Act Web site. BVP acquired the rights to the film from Samuel Goldwyn and closed the deal for Hemingway to direct and produce. Vance is also appearing in the new film. “Christmas has always been my favorite time of the year,” Hemingway said in a statement. “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. 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,” Bassett Vance Productions’ (BVP) Head of Development, Lynnette Ramirez, said.
“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.
