Chris Pratt Boards Documentary ‘Fighting Spirit: A Combat Chaplain’s Journey’ As Executive Producer

Matt Grobar
·3-min read

EXCLUSIVE: Chris Pratt has boarded Fighting Spirit: A Combat Chaplain’s Journey, a feature documentary directed by Rich Hull and former combat chaplain Justin D. Roberts, as an executive producer.

Also new to the project is Falling Forward Films, the outfit led by distribution veteran Scott Kennedy, which will release the film in theaters for Veterans Day. Pic will unspool in over 20 major U.S. markets, including Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, and Dallas, on November 8. Check out a trailer above.

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Marking the first-ever co-production between Hollywood and the U.S. Army Chaplain Corps, Fighting Spirit‘s story begins when the remains of prisoner-of-war and Army combat chaplain Emil Kapaun are identified after 70 years, with much of our nation being captivated by their journey home. As a younger former chaplain unexpectedly embarks on his own journey to greet them, he becomes inspired by the untold stories of the 419 U.S. military chaplain heroes who’ve given their lives for this unique calling. As the paths of these combat chaplains from different eras finally collide, we’re reminded how the profound weight of history and the immense power of love can converge to produce a life-changing healing.

A Catholic priest and U.S. Army chaplain, Kapaun continued to minister to fellow soldiers while captured as a POW during the Korean war, offering hope and comfort despite his own suffering. He died in a prison camp in 1951 and was posthumously awarded the U.S. Armed Forces’ Medal of Honor.

Hull also wrote for the doc and produced alongside Daniel Schnider. Executive producers are Michael Sullivan and Tom Gibbons, CSP for Paulist Productions, and Pratt and Justin D. Roberts. Co-producers are Holly Stocking, David Moore, and Brandon R. Moore.

Said Pratt, “I’m so excited for audiences to see this film theatrically on Veterans Day. The work done by combat chaplains to support our soldiers through issues of life and death on the frontlines is truly extraordinary, and to be part of celebrating this story of a chaplain’s journey in such a cinematic way is an honor.”

Added Hull, “Chris Pratt is an icon of the big screen, and to see him spark to our film so genuinely is an incredible compliment. We’re so grateful to partner with him, along with Scott Kennedy, Bryce Campbell, and our friends at Falling Forward Films, to bring this unique story to theaters on November 8th.”

Last year completing his run in the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise, Pratt’s recently lent his voice to a pair of big animated hits: The Super Mario Bros. Movie and The Garfield Movie. Up next, he’ll be seen in Netflix’s Russo Brothers pic The Electric State, Amazon MGM’s sci-fi thriller Mercy, and Apple/Skydance’s Way of the Warrior Kid, among other projects.

Pratt is represented by Rise Management, UTA, and Sloane, Offer, Weber & Dern. UTA is repping Fighting Spirit for streaming and other distribution.

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