Bassett Vance Productions, the production company from Angela Bassett and Courtney B. Vance, announced today that they will be producing a reimagining of the classic film The Preacher’s Wife. Also announced, is that acclaimed filmmaker Anthony Hemingway.
The announcement was made by Bassett Vance Productions‘ (BVP) Head of Development, Lynnette Ramirez and Whitney Davis, VP of Development & Production for Anthony Hemingway Productions (AHP). The film will be based on the 1996 film of the same name, which was directed by Penny Marshall and starred Denzel Washington, Whitney Houston, and Courtney B. Vance. The film, which is a perennial favorite around the holidays, also boasts the best-selling gospel album of all time. Having previously acquired the film rights from Samuel Goldwyn, BVP then 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,” said Hemingway. “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.”
Hemingway previously worked with Vance as director and producer of episodes of the award-winning anthology series American Crime Story: The People Vs. OJ Simpson, which earned them both Primetime Emmy Awards. He more recently directed Vance in National Geographic’s Genius: Aretha. His long list of director credits includes episodes of Power, Shameless, Treme, Underground, and The Wire, among others, and he also directed the blockbuster film, Red Tails.
“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,” stated Ramirez. “We couldn’t be more pleased to be developing this project with Anthony,” BVP’s producing partner Dwayne Johnson-Cochran explained. “We are looking to creatively evolve the story in a new direction, as well as boost the musicality of this modern version.”
“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,” said Vance. “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.”
The 1996 version of, The Preacher’s Wife, was itself a remake of The Bishop’s Wife, which starred Cary Grant, Loretta Young and David Niven in 1947, based on the book The Bishop’s Wife by Robert Nathan. In the ‘90s version, an angel (Washington) comes to earth to help a preacher (Vance) and his wife (Houston) save the church and his family.
The Preacher’s Wife 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.
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