Marvel actress Letitia Wright issued a statement distancing herself from The Daily Wire after learning the conservative media outlet had partnered with Angel Studios for their newly released film Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot.
The Daily Wire announced its partnership with Angel Studios and Peacetree Productions during a June town hall.
Wright, who starred in Marvel's Black Panther series and serves as Sound of Hope's executive producer, issued a statement to her Instagram over the weekend upon learning of the conservative media outlet's involvement in the film's release. "Producing this film alongside Peacetree Productions, to tell the incredible story of Bishop W.C. Martin, First Lady Donna Martin and all the incredible families of Possum Trot has been nothing less than inspiring," Wright wrote. "We have created a beautiful film that gives a voice to vulnerable children, with the hope that families across the country and world, no matter their faith, race or diversity, would join together to help children, to be moved to make a difference in any way they can." "This story isn't about politics, it's about children," she continued. "It's about sacrificial love for children who have experienced unthinkable horrors and how communities at a grassroots level--like the community of Possum Trot--can help provide the safe, loving homes they so desperately need."
The Marvel actress said it was a "shame to see small pockets of discourse online take a divisive political turn."
Letitia Wright has issued a statement distancing herself from @realDailyWire after learning the outlet had partnered with Angel Studios for her latest film, Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot.
"I do not condone using this beautiful film for divisive political purposes,"… pic.twitter.com/XBRet65Ghm
— Chris Bertman (@manofbert) July 10, 2024
Wright said that conversations that took away from the film's message were "unnecessary" and "harmful." "The potential for this film to positively change lives is far too important," she added. "To be clear, after we completed the production of this film, Angel Studios were brought on board to handle its distribution and they later partnered with The Daily Wire." "I am in no way aligned or affiliated with The Daily Wire," her Instagram post asserted. "I am thankful for all who want to positively champion this film and campaign to serve children. However, I do not condone using this beautiful film for divisive political purposes. That is not why I joined the project." "I encourage audiences everywhere to be inspired and witness the incredible true story of how a small church community changed the lives of 77 young children in Texas, and become part of the movement to change the lives of children across America & the World," she concluded. "If we don't fight for them, who will? Love and respect."
Wright noted she had no control over The Daily Wire's involvement and was not given updates or made aware of the outlet's partnership.
The actress said despite the conservative media outlet's involvement in Sound Of Hope, she firmly believed the film's message would withstand outside discourse and "speak for itself."
The Daily Wire's co-CEO Jeremy Boreing responded to Wright's Instagram post in a statement.
"The Daily Wire is truly honored to partner with Angel Studios on such an important project. 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," Boreing said. "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."
Boreing concluded by encouraging people to see the film and "join the fight for kids."
Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot depicts the true story of Reverend W. C. and Donna Martin, who took in 77 foster children along with 22 other families in the town of Possum Trot, Texas.
