Hillsong Movie Pulled by Warner Bros., Future for 'Let Hope Rise' Uncertain
Warner Bros. recently pulled the documentary "Hillsong – Let Hope Rise" on the most famous Christian worship band in the world, Hillsong UNITED.
Alcon Entertainment and Warner Bros. first announced "Let Hope Rise" in July, and the film was originally expected to release worldwide on April 3. However, Warner Bros. removed the film from that slot earlier this month. While details are scarce, Alcon said that the company was unable to close the rights deal for the movie, according to Variety.
Back in July, Warner Bros. and Alcon Entertainment announced the release of the music documentary, which will narrate Hillsong's extraordinary journey from a youth group band at Hillsong Church to a worldwide phenomenon. Today, it is uncertain when "Let Hope Rise" will see a release.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
Meanwhile, Hillsong UNITED is comprised of 11 members including Joel Houston, son of Brian and Bobbie Houston who founded Hillsong Church in Australia in 1983. It is estimated that over 30 million churchgoers around the world sing Hillsong worship songs on any given Sunday.
"Let Hope Rise" was filmed on five different continents, documenting the band's performances at sold-out stadium concerts. Michael John Warren, who helmed Jay-Z's "Fade to Black," directed the Australia-based band, while Michael Weaver of MediaWeaver Entertainment and Jonathan Bock of Grace Hill Media produced the film.
When "Let Hope Rise" was first announced, Joel Houston remarked on the pleasant surprise of having a film based on the group.
"It's a little weird and a lot humbling to have a movie made about us," he said. "But we didn't say 'yes' to this to draw attention to ourselves. It's our hope that by sharing an up-close and unvarnished look inside our music and lives, we can shatter pre-conceived notions of what it means to follow Jesus in today's modern world."
Grace Hill Media did not respond by deadline due to a time difference.
