Fifteen years ago, director Dallas Jenkins was searching for someone to play the lead role in his film “What If…” Knowing that he couldn’t afford him, Jenkins gave the script to Hercules actor Kevin Sorbo to read and provide feedback. Sorbo said he instantly “fell in love with it” and told Jenkins he was going to play the lead role, even if it meant getting paid the minimum amount, saying, “I got to do this movie.”
With the help of Fathom Entertainment, “What If...” will be in theaters Aug. 5 and 7 to celebrate a special two-night anniversary event.
“What If…” also stars Kristy Swanson (“Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” “Higher Learning,”), and John Ratzenberger (“Cheers,” “Toy Story,” “Cars”).
In the film, Sorbo plays businessman Ben Walker, who is visited by an angel (Ratzenberger) and shown the life he would have lived if he had followed his faith.
ChurchLeaders spoke with Sorbo regarding the film’s re-release.
“It’s such a great movie because everybody has ‘what if’ in their life, and they probably have more than just one,” Sorbo said
“When you’re driving there are many roads you can probably take, and maybe if you took that road, there would have been an accident. Maybe you take this road, you would have met somebody that inspired your life,” he continued. “You never, ever know.”
Sorbo explained that it takes his character a long time to realize that he’s been “given a gift from God,” which is a do-over in making the choice he should have made earlier in his life.
“It’s a wonderful story about redemption,” he added. “It’s a wonderful story about a second chance, showing that your life can be better.”
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The veteran actor encouraged people that “no matter where you are in your life, you can turn it around.” He said, “It’s up to you. Don’t blame God or your neighbors or your wife or your husband or whoever. Don’t blame the world for your problems. Look in the mirror and say, ‘You know what, I’m going to change this. I’m going to do something about [whatever needs changing].’”
ChurchLeaders asked Sorbo: If he could have a “do-over” in life, what would it be?
Sorbo, who received a double business major in college, said, “I wish that I would have not gone to college. I don’t think I needed college.” He explained that he wished he would have “dove into acting earlier in my life than I did, and I think that would have made a difference, just in, just in the path I wanted.”
Sorbo hopes that audiences who watch the movie take away that “there is redemption out there, that there is hope out there. I think a lot of people are looking for hope, they just don’t know how to look for it.” The actor then emphasized, “that’s through Jesus Christ.”
The film will feature brand-new bonus content from Jenkins, Sorbo, Swanson, Ratzenberger and Michael Scott that will only be available in theaters.