“Black Panther” star Letitia Wright is distancing herself from conservative outlet The Daily Wire‘s ties to “Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot.” She serves as an executive producer on the Angel Studios film but only recently learned of the studio’s partnership with The Daily Wire.
Wright in a statement on Instagram from the weekend said it’s a “beautiful film that gives a voice to vulnerable children,” but she was disappointed to see the film become a lightning rod for political divisiveness.
“It’s a shame to see small pockets of discourse online take a divisive political turn. This story isn’t about politics, it’s about children,” Wright said in a statement in part. She continued to say that “any conversation that detracts from that is unnecessary and harmful.”
The inspirational film opened July 4 and has already grossed more than $8 million at the U.S. box office. “Sound of Hope” follows Donna and Reverend Martin, who, along with 22 families from their rural black church in the small East Texas town of Possum Trot, adopt 77 kids struggling to find placement in the foster system.
Wright said that after the film was completed, Angel Studios came aboard to handle its distribution and later partnered with The Daily Wire.
“That was not my decision, and I was not given an update or made aware of this decision,” she said. “I am in no way aligned with or affiliated with The Daily Wire. I am thankful for all those who want to positively champion this film and campaign to serve children. However, I do not condone using this film for divisive political purposes. That is not why I joined the project.”
In June, The Daily Wire announced its partnership with Angel Studios to release the film. The Daily Wire also promoted the film with a conversation between one of the film’s subjects and commentator Ben Shapiro.
Jordan Harmon, president of Angel Studios, said in a statement to press on Wednesday, “This powerful film takes a stand for vulnerable kids, and we’re pursuing partners who are passionate about this fight. Angel Studios is grateful for both Letitia and Daily Wire’s partnership on getting this story out into the world, and we encourage everyone concerned about the foster care and adoption crisis to get involved and see ‘Sound of Hope.’”
“On its opening day — July 4th – Sound of Hope was one of the highest grossing films nationwide, second only to Disney’s biggest release of the year. This movie is tracking to be huge and has the potential to launch a movement to end America’s foster crisis. The Daily Wire is truly honored to partner with Angel Studios on such an important project,” The Daily Wire’s co-CEO Jeremy Boreing said in a statement to IndieWire.
Boreing added, “But, such is the intolerance of the modern left that instead of celebrating this accomplishment and all it might mean, one of the film’s producers, Letitia Wright of Black Panther fame, used the occasion to condemn The Daily Wire’s involvement in sharing this message across the country. Letitia and I probably don’t share the same politics, but I believe we share a Christian faith and, more importantly, the same goal of shining a light on something we can all agree on – a community banding together to help kids in need. We hope people don’t allow this distraction to steal from the message from the film and the impact it can have. Everyone should see this movie and join the fight for kids. It’s too important not to.”
Though far from the scale last year’s “Sound of Freedom” reached, another politically divisive film that shared themes about abuses against children, “Sound of Hope” has also attracted attention from the right wing. Prior to the film’s release, Daily Wire contributor and conservative pundit Matt Walsh, in promotion of the film, said, “Leftists are trying to stop Christians from saving more children.”
Like “Sound of Freedom” before it, “Sound of Hope” launched on July 4 with a Pay It Forward release strategy to allow people who see the film to buy a ticket for a stranger to see it for free and spread the word.
