Filmmaker Anthony Hemingway has signed on to direct a present-day remake of the 1996 film “The Preacher’s Wife” from Bassett Vance Productions and Anthony Hemingway Productions.
The film will be based on the 1996 movie of the same name, which was directed by Penny Marshall and starred Denzel Washington, Whitney Houston and Courtney B. Vance. Having previously acquired the film rights from Samuel Goldwyn, BVP closed the deal for Hemingway to direct and produce the film. Vance will also appear in this new version of the film.
“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,” Hemingway said in a statement. “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 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,” Vance said. “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.”
“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,” Lynnette Ramirez, head of development at Bassett Vance Production, said.
“We couldn’t be more pleased to be developing this project with Anthony,” BVP’s producing partner Dwayne Johnson-Cochran added. “We are looking to creatively evolve the story in a new direction, as well as boost the musicality of this modern version.”
The film 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.
Hemingway and AHP are represented by M88, WME and attorney Tom Hoberman. Bassett Vance Productions is repped by Darrell Miller, Fox Rothschild LLP.