Letitia Wright says it was 'not my decision' to partner with Daily Wire on new film

Wright, who executive-produced "Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot," insists that she doesn't condone "using this beautiful film for divisive political purposes."

Letitia Wright is distancing herself from the Daily Wire after the right-wing media company partnered with Angel Studios to distribute her new faith-based film Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot.

Wright, who is best known for starring in Marvel's Black Panther films and who served as an executive producer on Sound of Hope, said in a statement posted to social media over the weekend that she had no say in working with the company co-founded by conservative pundit Ben Shapiro.

"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," Wright wrote. "That was not my decision, and I was not given an update or made aware of this decision. I am in no way aligned or affiliated with the The Daily Wire. 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."

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Released July 4, Sound of Hope tells the story of the East Texas town of Possum Trot and Bishop W. C. Martin and Donna Martin, who led an effort with families from their church to adopt 77 children stuck in the foster system. Wright stressed that it was this message that drew her to the project.

"We have created a beautiful film that gives a voice to vulnerable children, with the hope that families across the country & 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," she wrote. "Which is why it's a shame to see small pockets of discourse online take a divisive political turn. This story isn't about politics, it's about children. 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. Any conversation that detracts from that is unnecessary and harmful. The potential for this film to positively change lives is far too important."

Angel Studios, which previously produced the faith-based thriller Sound of Freedom, acquired Sound of Hope from Peacetree Productions, which had teamed with Wright to make the film. Angel then announced a partnership with the Daily Wire to release Sound of Hope in theaters.

Jordan Harmon, the president of Angel Studios, said in a statement provided to Entertainment Weekly, "This powerful film takes a stand for vulnerable kids, and we're pursuing partners who are passionate about this fight. Angel Studios is grateful for both Letitia and Daily Wire's partnership on getting this story out into the world, and we encourage everyone concerned about the foster care and adoption crisis to get involved and see Sound of Hope."

In a separate statement to EW, Daily Wire co-CEO Jeremy Boreing rebuffed Wright's disavowal of the company's involvement with the film and blasted "the intolerance of the modern left."

"Letitia and I probably don't share the same politics," he added, "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. Everyone should see this movie and join the fight for kids. It's too important not to."

Related: Sound of Freedom crowdfunder arrested on child kidnapping charges

This is not the first time Wright has found herself at the center of controversy. In 2020, she came under fire after sharing a video that questioned the safety of COVID-19 vaccines. Initially, in response to critics, Wright tweeted, "If you don't conform to popular opinions. but ask questions and think for yourself… you get cancelled."

She later deleted the social media post and issued a subsequent statement, saying, "My intention was not to hurt anyone, my ONLY intention of posting the video was it raised my concerns with what the vaccine contains and what we are putting in our bodies. Nothing else."

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In her statement promoting Sound of Hope in spite of its connections to the Daily Wire, Wright concluded, "Despite all this, I stand firm in the belief that this film will rise above the discourse to speak for itself, and I encourage audiences everywhere to be inspired & 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."

The film is benefitting at the box office from Angel Studios' "pay it forward" model, which encourages audiences to buy tickets that others can claim for free.

Read the original article on Entertainment Weekly.