New film captures Jesus People movement of late ’60s
Evangelist Greg Laurie along with director Jon Erwin and team are working on a new film set to release in 2023 called, “Jesus Revolution.” The faith-based film about the great spiritual revival of the 1970s shares the story of the people and heart behind the movement and is based on Laurie’s book by the same name.
Kelsey Grammer is cast as Pastor Chuck Smith who founded the Calvary Chapel and Jonathan Roumie as Lonnie Frisbee along with Joel Courtney and Anna Grace Barlow to create an iconic cast. Pastor Greg Laurie today posted a behind-the-scene video update from the set and Grammer shared a quick story of how God led him to play the role of Chuck Smith in this revival story.
“I’ve been going through some stuff in my career lately about like is it important, does it mean something to me. I was sitting there sort of having a meditation late one evening pretty late into the morning and as I sat there I thought, “just send me something. The next day,” (pointing to Greg Laurie) this came.”
God’s timing for this film
Laurie responded, “Wow, I think that was God’s timing.”
Grammer agreed, “I do too.”
“I read it and I said, thank you, that’s it.”
Laurie expressed his appreciation, “Thank you for doing it, so happy to have you a part of it. Once we started shooting, everyone’s just the right person at the right timing.”
Jonathan Roumie who also plays Jesus in The Chosen is playing evangelist and Jesus Movement pioneer Lonnie Frisbee in the new film.
“It’s been awesome, I just feel grateful to try and bring him to life in this story and it’s an amazing story. It’s been an honor,” said Roumie.
Spring 2023 release
“Jesus Revolution” is set to release during Easter of 2023 and follows Laurie’s journey from Southern California hippie rebel to committed believer at the swell of the Jesus Movement. The film will star Joel Courtney (The Kissing Booth) as young Greg Laurie and Kelsey Grammer (Frasier) as Greg’s mentor, Pastor Chuck Smith. Jonathan Roumie (The Chosen) will portray hippie and Charismatic evangelist Lonnie Frisbee, and Anna Grace Barlow (Scream, The Never List) will co-star as Greg Laurie’s young wife, Cathe. Other notable castings include Kimberly Williams-Paisley, Ally Ioannides, Julia Campbell, Nic Bishop and Jolie Jenkins.
“This film is not primarily about Chuck Smith, Lonnie Frisbee, Cathe Laurie or myself. It’s about how Jesus moved and sent a spiritual awakening in our lives that is still being felt today,” said Pastor Greg Laurie. “I am honored to have such a talented, venerated cast and crew tell this story that is so near to my heart and changed my life and our country for eternity. The Jesus Movement was the last great American spiritual awakening. Some historians have said it was the greatest revival of all time. Now, I’m praying for another in our time.”
A Kingdom Story Company production
“Jesus Revolution,” is written by Jon Erwin and Jon Gunn with The Erwin Brothers and The Kingdom Story Company (Lionsgate). The film is based on the book of the same title from Laurie and Ellen Vaughn, telling personal stories of one of the largest spiritual revivals in the nation’s history.
Against the socially chaotic backdrop of the 1970s, an entire generation in the U.S. found new meaning in Christianity, sparking a revival that broke out on the West Coast and spread throughout the United States — an event that TIME Magazine called “The Jesus Revolution.”
“Jesus has been a profound influence in my life,” said Kelsey Grammer. “I am proud to be a part of this film.”
