“We were fully aware that it was a difficult date, because we would be competing with the main productions, with investments of $300 million and with advertising budgets that exceed $100 million and more.”
“But we also knew that we had a powerful message and a production full of art and impact. So we decided to jump in. And now you see, [we took the risk and succeeded],” the producer said.
Despite having been screened in only 2,600 theaters, “Sound of Freedom” managed to outperform “Indiana Jones,” which was offered in 4,600 theaters on opening day. In addition, that same July 4, the film grossed $14 million, while the Disney film starring Harrison Ford took in $11 million.
In a July 7 tweet, Verástegui invited Ford to go see “Sound of Freedom”:
“Dear@HarrisonFordLA: I grew up watching your movies and dreaming of fighting bad guys like Indiana Jones. I want to invite you to watch @soundoffreedommovie, of which I am a producer. Do you think that prof. … Henry Walton Jones Jr. help us save children and fight trafficking? Together we are stronger and with that strength we can eradicate child trafficking.”
In May last year, Verástegui participated with Mel Gibson in the pro-life and pro-family IV Transatlantic Summit in Budapest, Hungary, where he screened “Sound of Freedom” in Spanish and drew five minutes of continuous applause from those present.
After the applause, Verástegui invited Gibson up to the stage and said that “this film has the mark of Mel.”
The Mexican actor has been very active and outspoken in the pro-life movement in Latin America. Among other efforts in Mexico, in late 2019, he toured all 31 Mexican states and Mexico City promoting the Spanish version of “Unplanned” in Mexico, the film portraying how Planned Parenthood director Abby Johnson became a strong pro-life advocate.
In 2020, in the midst of the COVID-19 lockdown in his country, the Catholic actor urged Mexicans to join him on social media platforms in praying the rosary on the feast of Our Lady of Fatima on May 13 and also on May 31 for the end of the pandemic.
This story was first published by ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA.
Walter Sánchez Silva is a senior writer for ACI Prensa (https://www.aciprensa.com). With more than 15 years of experience, he has reported from important ecclesial events in Europe, Asia and Latin America during the pontificates of Benedict XVI and Pope Francis.
E-mail: walter@aciprensa.com