Kendrick Brothers Reveal Next Film: Brazilian Remake of their Debut Classic

Michael Foust

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By Michael Foust, Crosswalk.com

The faith-based filmmaking tandem behind such hits as War Room and Overcomer announced their next project on Wednesday, and it’s one that longtime fans of the genre will recognize.

Alex and Stephen Kendrick revealed a reimagined remake of their very first film, Flywheel, which was released in 2003 and set the stage for Facing the Giants (2006) and other popular films that followed.

But the newest film, titled Flywheel: Ignition of the Soul, will look far different from the original, featuring a larger budget, a more seasoned cast and crew, stronger overall production values – and a different culture.

Set in Rio de Janeiro, it follows Noah Silva, a slick used-car salesman whose win-at-all-costs approach to business and family life begins to collapse. Forced to reckon with the consequences of his choices, Noah sets out on a difficult personal journey to rebuild his integrity and win back the love of his wife and son, according to a plot summary.

The film was shot in Brazil and stars Mario Bregieira, Pérola Faria, Gui Tavares, Felipe Folgosi, Adriano Canindé, Elizeu Rodrigues, and Alex Kendrick. It was written by Alex Kendrick and directed by Alessandro Barros.

It will be released in the United States on Oct. 16 with English dubbing and subtitles, one month after its debut in Brazil and Latin American theaters. It was filmed in Portuguese.

The Kendrick Brothers say the unusual approach – especially since nearly all U.S. faith-based films are produced in English – has one central aim: to spread God’s Word throughout the Portuguese-speaking world through a film created in its own language.

The idea for the project grew from the Kendrick Brothers’ expanding influence in Brazil. Their 2024 film The Forge debuted at No. 1 there and performed well beyond box-office projections. During promotional events for the movie, Alex Kendrick and Stephen Kendrick met with leaders who spoke of a strong desire for faith-centered stories created within Brazil’s own culture, according to a news release.

Affirm Films is releasing it.

“The initiative quickly attracted filmmakers from across Brazil and rallied them around a shared creative vision to raise the bar of faith-infused Brazilian cinema,” Affirm said in a news release.

Alex and Stephen Kendrick said the production came together with remarkable speed as local filmmakers embraced the vision and joined the effort.

“The Brazilian filmmakers had all the talent and ingredients in the kitchen but wanted us to help them produce something inspirational in Brazil at the quality they saw in The Forge,” said Alex Kendrick.

Stephen Kendrick agreed.

“What usually takes months of preparation happened in days. It was amazing,” Stephen Kendrick said. “We did not know the language, local resources, or culture, but saw God help us do more in less time. We found out that Brazilian pastors had been praying for this for five years. The movie is better shot, acted, and scored than the original, and the storyline is just as powerful. I’m truly excited to see how audiences will respond to this new version in theaters this fall.”

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Michael Foust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His stories have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, The Christian Post, the Leaf-Chronicle, the Toronto Star and the Knoxville News-Sentinel.

Listen to Michael's Podcast! He is the host of Crosswalk Talk, a podcast where he talks with Christian movie stars, musicians, directors, and more. Hear how famous Christian figures keep their faith a priority in Hollywood and discover the best Christian movies, books, television, and other entertainment. You can find Crosswalk Talk on LifeAudio.com, or subscribe on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an interview that will be sure to encourage your faith.