Young Washington (2026)

[BluBonnet]

You Can Now Buy Tickets for Angel Studios’ Founding Father Biopic ‘Young Washington’ Before It’s Even Shot

If you haven’t already, today is a great time to figure out what movie you want to see over the Fourth of July weekend and buy your tickets. And if you’ve already locked down your seats for “F1” or “40 Acres” this weekend, why not buy some movie tickets for July 4th, 2026?

Angel Studios has announced that its upcoming film “Young Washington,” a biopic about America’s first president from “House of David” creator and “Jesus Revolution” director Jon Erwin, will patriotically roll into theaters on America’s 250th birthday. The faith-based media company and “Sound of Freedom” distributor, which is co-producing the film with Wonder Project, already has tickets available for purchase through its ticketing platform on Angel.com.

The studio is so excited about the project that tickets went on sale before a single camera rolled on the film. Production on “Young Washington” is expected to begin later this summer, with no word yet on who will be cast as George Washington.

“Our shared commitment to inspirational, powerful storytelling made ‘Young Washington’ an easy project to partner on with Wonder,” Angel Studios president Jordan Harmon said in a statement. “George Washington helped shape our nation and so many of the American values we hold dear. I can’t imagine a more meaningful way to celebrate America’s 250th birthday than by watching this adaptation of such a pivotal period in his young life.”

“I’ve dreamed of telling the powerful origin story of George Washington for nearly a decade. It’s a story of a true pioneer, which makes it the perfect project to partner on with the pioneers at Angel and their world-class distribution network,” Erwin said. “’Young Washington’ isn’t just a film — it’s a celebration of the American spirit and the miracle of the forging of our nation.”

No showtimes or theater locations have been announced yet, so the tickets available to purchase today merely guarantee you a seat at a showing near you, with the promise of a refund if you end up being too far away from one. Purchasers will be able to select specific showtimes and seats closer to the release date.

The early ticket sales are being marketed as a way for diehard Angel fans to ensure that the film opens in as many theaters as possible. And as an added bonus for those still on the fence, purchasing tickets enters you in a contest to win a Ford F-250 pickup truck.

[Mr. Chaverria]

Heh. Faith based media.

Christian and Queer centered cinema. Two niches that care more about the message than the actual filmmaking involved.

[Hazel Motes]

Originally Posted by Mr. Chaverria

Heh. Faith based media.

Christian and Queer centered cinema. Two niches that care more about the message than the actual filmmaking involved.

I’m with you on faith based movies. What queer cinema don’t you like? Moonlight, Call Me By Your Name and Portrait of a Lady on Fire are some of the best films of the past decade.

[DKLou]

Originally Posted by Mr. Chaverria

Heh. Faith based media.

Christian and Queer centered cinema. Two niches that care more about the message than the actual filmmaking involved.

Well, maybe. But let’s not pretend that Hollywood in general hasn’t got sometimes "message heavy" over the last several years too. They often have the same problem with forgetting to make a good movie. Also, the two genres you called out will have a message in there by default. I think it’s fair to expect some messaging or strong narratives with certain genres.

As for George Washington, a film about him would be interesting to me. There aren’t a ton of such films about our founding fathers. Not sure if this is exactly the type of thing that will be good though.

[BluBonnet]

Ben Kingsley, Andy Serkis & Joel David Smallbone Join Presidential Biopic ‘Young Washington’ From Wonder Project And Angel Studios

Oscar winner Ben Kingsley (The Thursday Murder Club), BAFTA winner Andy Serkis (The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum) and Grammy winner Joel David Smallbone (Unsung Hero) are new additions to the cast of Young Washington, a recently announced presidential origin story from Wonder Project and Angel Studios.

Directed by Wonder Project’s Jon Erwin (Jesus Revolution, I Can Only Imagine), the film stars the previously announced William Franklyn-Miller as a young George Washington, chronicling the beginnings of America’s first president. After making a tremendous mistake that triggers the French and Indian War, an ambitious 22-year-old Washington must face his failures and find the courage to become the leader that will forge a nation.

Kingsley will play Robert Dinwiddie, the strong-willed Governor of Virginia who entrusts the young Washington with his first command. Serkis plays General Edward Braddock, an overconfident British officer who gives the defeated Washington another chance at military glory. Smallbone portrays the cunning William Fairfax, a friend and romantic rival to George, who moves effortlessly in the world of the British upper class to which Washington aspires.

Written by Jon Erwin and Tom Provost & Diederik Hoogstraten, the film is slated to enter production later this summer. Erwin will produce alongside Chip Diggins. Wonder is joined on the production side by 10 Ton Productions, led by Benton Crane, and 2521 Entertainment, led by Tyler Zacharia, with Angel set to distribute the film nationwide over Independence Day weekend 2026.

In an unorthodox move, Angel Studios made tickets available last month on its own platform — a year out from release — without a single frame of the film yet shot.

Known for turns in films like Gandhi and Schindler’s List, Kingsley has recently been seen starring in titles like The Killer’s Game and Wes Anderson’s The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar and Three More. Upcoming, he has the Magenta Light Studios thriller Deep Water, Netflix’s anticipated film The Thursday Murder Club, and more. He is repped by CAA, Independent Talent Group, and Goodman, Genow, Schenkman.

Previously seen starring in the Lord of the Rings and Planet of the Apes franchises, Serkis is set to direct and reprise as Gollum in The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum, which Warner Bros releases on December 17, 2027. He is repped by CAA, Principal Entertainment LA, and Johnson Shapiro Slewett & Kole.

[Bubbles-11]

What a bummer that Serkis is starring in a film from this company

[BluBonnet]

Mary-Louise Parker, Mia Rodgers and ‘Better Man’ Monkey Jonno Davis Join ‘Young Washington’ Biopic as First Look Revealed

“Young Washington,” the feature biopic of George Washington from Wonder Project and Angel Studios, has started production in Ireland, with a first look of William Franklyn-Miller in the title role revealed

Further cast members have also been announced for the film with Mary-Louise Parker (“The Institute,” “Weeds”), Mia Rodgers (“Sex Lives of College Girls,” “Trauma”) and Jonno Davis (“Better Man,” “Lucca Mortis”) joining the project the cast.

Directed by Jon Irwin (“House of David”), the film follows the early life of America’s first president and is set for nationwide release over Independence Day Weekend 2026, marking the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Principal photography will take place in Ireland and Virginia.

Parker will play Mary Washington, George’s strong willed mother, while Rodgers will play Sally Cary, the charming beauty of the Virginia gentry who first sees his potential. Davies — recently seen playing Robbie Williams as a CGI monkey in the acclaimed “Better Man” — portrays condescending British officer James Mackay.

The previously announced cast of “Young Washington” includes Sir Ben Kingsley (as Robert Dinwiddie), Andy Serkis (as General Edward Braddock), Joel David Smallbone (as William Fairfax) and Kelsey Grammer (as Lord Fairfax). Rounding out the cast will be Leo Hanna as George’s best friend Christopher Gist; Angus Castle-Doughty and Fearghal Geraghty as the brothers David and Henry Frisk; Nicholas Antoniou as Tucker Bowman; Ryan Begay as Tanacharison, the Half King, John Foss as Lawrence Washington, Michael Benz as Thomas Gage, Martijn Lakemeier as Jacob Van Braam and Clement Toyon as Joseph Coulon de Jumonville.

“George Washington’s early years is a story I’ve wanted to tell for a very long time,” said Erwin, director and founder of Wonder Project. “The trials he faced shaped the man who would lead a nation, and so much of that journey remains largely untold. Bringing this powerful story to life with such an extraordinary cast is a dream come true.”

Erwin will produce the film with Chip Diggins. Wonder Project is joined on the production side by 10 Ton Productions, led by Benton Crane, and 2521 Entertainment, led by Tyler Zacharia. Angel will distribute worldwide. The film was written by Erwin and Tom Provost and Diederik Hoogstraten.

“When we launched pre-sale tickets a year before opening day, thousands were purchased immediately, and sales have continued steadily since,” said Brandon Purdie, head of theatrical distribution and brand development at Angel Studios. “Opening in theaters during the Independence Day holiday and the 250th anniversary of America, the film will bring an untold chapter of our founding to audiences nationwide.”

Parker is represented by CAA. Rodgers is represented by Alex Cambell at United Agents, Stephen Simbari at Anonymous Content and Caroline Fergusson at Pinnacle PR, and Felker Toczek Suddleson McGinnis Ryan LLP. Davis is represented by Denton Brierley, Gersh, ColorCreative and Lucy Popkin.