Zondervan
Via their Columbia Pictures banner, Sony Pictures has acquired the pitch HOPE HEALS from writers Bob Smiley and Justin Hensley, the Tracking Board has confirmed. The project is based on the memoir Hope Heals: A True Story of Overwhelming Loss and Overcoming Love by Katherine and Jay Wolf and adds to the growing list of faith-based films the studio has released over the past handful of years.
Based on the true story of Katherine’s experience with a near-fatal stroke, the book covers the couple’s dedication to their faith and each other to survive the ordeal. Following her recovery, the couple started their ministry, Hope Heals.
Affirm Films, a label of Sony dedicated to films mainly aimed at Christians, is handling the marketing of this film. Previously, Sony has released other faith-based films like Heaven is for Real, War Room, and Miracles from Heaven.
Ian Bryce will produce via his own banner, while Irene Yeung and Aimee LeMaire will oversee. Grant Nieporte will also executive produce for Humble Picture Company alongside Smiley. Hensley will also co-produce and Eric Fineman will oversee for Sony.
Smiley has previously served as a writer and story editor for CBS’ Yes, Dear and Nickelodeon’s The Haunted Hathaways. Currently, he’s in development on the Disney Channel pilot Forever Boys.
Hensley previously wrote Family Reunion for Bluegrass Films.
Both Smiley and Hensley are repped by Gersh.
—TO SEE ALL THE PROJECT DETAILS CLICK HERE—
Anya Crittenton | Associate Editor
