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Kevin Sorbo discusses the film industry, family life, and more!
As you know, Kevin’s film, What If…, opened in theaters this weekend. You also know that he has many, many other projects, including those he is producing. But, you might not know how he picks scripts or what he looks for when casting or even that he is a poet and musician.
Kevin was gracious enough to grant me an interview during last month’s Shore Leave Convention in Baltimore, Maryland. He offered great insight into his approach to acting, directing, and producing, as well as spoke briefly about his personal life.
Since his meteoric rise to fame is legendary, I ask you to please peruse the following for a full biography, photos, and more information:
Kevin Sorbo Official Site at http://www.kevinsorbo.net/
The Official European Kevin Sorbo Fan Club site at http://www.kevin-sorbo.com/home.html
The Official International Kevin Sorbo Fan Club site at http://www.ozfans.com/Kevin_Sorbo.html
Here’s my interview with the indomitable Mr. Kevin Sorbo:
https://sorbowriter.wordpress.com/interview-with-kevin-sorbo/
Kevin Sorbo ala Salvador Dali
Here’s my art contribution to the Anniversary Party… Hello, Dali!
More Anniversary artwork
Mara, Evelyne, and Malena created more lovely art for our anniversary. Please see the First Anniversary Artwork page.
Obrigada, Mara! Merci, Evelyne! Gracias, Malena!
Review of Kevin Sorbo’s “What If…”
Lori from Ohio helped acquire a screening of What If… in her town. Here is her marvelous review:
Every adult goes through a period of time when he asks himself is this really my life? Is this really where my life is going? Is there an outside force at work? If given the chance, would I live my life the same? What should I do to make changes?
The movie What If… takes a look at one of those questions many people ask themselves over the years: What If… I had chosen a different life? This movie is a combination of romantic comedy and faith-based film filled with an all-star cast. Ben Walker, played by Kevin Sorbo, finds himself living the high life as a wealthy, successful investment banker: great job, beautiful fiancée, lots 
of material things, and, of course, lots of money. He has the perfect life, or so he thinks, until Mike the tow truck driver, played by John Ratzenberger, enters his life. Ben then finds himself in the “great What If” with a wife (Kristy Swanson), two children (Debby Ryan, Taylor Groothuis), and a career in ministry; it’s the life he turned away from 15 years ago.
Throughout the movie Ben slowly comes to understand what is truly important in life. Ultimately, God’s guidance and willingness to embrace him comes to fruition as Pastor Ben sits at the bedside of a dying man, counseling him that it’s never too late to accept God into his life. The lesson is understood by both men, and they both turn to embrace God’s will.
“It’s never easy,” the classic line many Sorbo fans anticipate hearing, easily sums up Ben’s predicament as he realizes (that) real happiness lies in making the tough choices and allowing for divine guidance. Sorbo fans have come to appreciate Kevin’s comedic timing, and won’t be disappointed here. Lots of laughter, tears of joy and sadness easily flow throughout this two-hour movie.
Christian Movies, the company behind marketing the movie, What If…, looked for volunteers to help bring it to local theaters. They asked f
or pastors or those involved in church ministry to offer a free screening of this movie to their community. Although neither a pastor nor a member of a church ministry, I had an interest in bringing this movie to my community, so I worked with one of the priests at my parish and made it happen. We had the screening on July 9, 2010, and had a packed house, probably 350 to 400 people.
Everyone loved it! People enjoyed the fact that it was a great story that didn’t need lots of special effects, swearing, or blood
and gore to entertain its viewers…something many would like to see more of. They also enjoyed that fact that there was a life message woven into the movie theme.
Personally, I’ve watched the movie about 10 times and still laugh and cry at the same points. What If… is scheduled to open at only one theater near here – I will be one of those purchasing a ticket for opening night!
(Photos courtesy of Dallas Jenkins)
Kevin Sorbo’s “What If…” premieres August 9-10 in Chicago, IL, and Grand Rapids, MI
Actor/Producer Kevin Sorbo’s first major film release of the year occurs next week with exciting events, autograph signings, photograph opportunities, and cast commentaries. The faith-based movie, What If…, premieres Monday and Tuesday, August 9 and 10, in Chicago, Illinois, and Grand Rapids, Michigan, respectively.
The first night at Harvest Bible Chapel’s Elgin Campus in Chicago is free to the public on a first-come, first-served limited seating basis. Doors open at 6 p.m. The movie begins at 6:30. Director Dallas Jenkins introduces his film, and Harvest’s minister, Pastor James MacDonald, offers a special message and discusses his church’s media future. Cast members, including Sorbo, add to the evening’s festivities with an interesting discussion following the film, as well as a question and answer session complete with autographs and photos.
“I think it has a chance to be a huge event,” said Jenkins. “The venue seats 1900 and we may have overflow! I’m just excited to have the actors in town for it because it’s not often a Midwest city gets a premiere.
“(There will be an) introduction from myself and the pastor of the church where the eve
nt is being held, James MacDonald. Then the movie will play, and then we’ll do a Q&A with the actors and myself, followed by a time for signing posters and getting pictures taken.”
The Grand Rapids showing, open to the public, begins with a VIP reception with the cast beginning at 6 p.m. prior to the premiere at the Celebration! Cinema Wave Room. Jenkins and producer Russell Wolfe introduce the film that starts at 7:30 p.m. at Celebration! Cinema North. The affair is also a fundraiser for the Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital (HDCH) to which all proceeds will be donated. General admission tickets are $25.00 and the VIP reception costs $100.00. Purchase both at http://tinyurl.com/2g8g7dc.
Sorbo explained What If…’s plot.
“My first mov
ie coming out this year is called, What If…,” Sorbo elaborated. “We’re having a premiere in Chicago on August 9, and in Grand Rapids on August 10.
“It’s a wonderful, faith-based film I shot last summer in Michigan that also stars John Ratzenberger and Kristy Swanson. It has a great message that says you can always change your life if you are unhappy with it. It’s a reverse of It’s a Wonderful Life, in which John Ratzenberger is this curmudgeon angel who shows me how I screwed up my life by not following the road I was supposed to.”
The full-length feature, co-produced by 10 West Studios, Jenkins Entertainment, and Pureflix Entertainment, opens with Ben Walker (Sorbo) as a highly paid executive with a trophy fiancée and a new Mercedes Benz, who, 15 years prior, left his college sweetheart, Wendy (Swanson), and his ministerial calling to pursue a business career. He never considers having a family nor attends
church following his departure.
But, God decides otherwise. While driving outside of the city, Ben’s new Mercedes mysteriously malfunctions. A tow truck driver named Mike (Ratzenberger) finds him and offers to haul the disabled vehicle to the nearest town, which is coincidentally where Ben left everything and everyone behind 15 years earlier. Mike confesses that he is an angel sent to show Ben his life had he followed his true calling at which Ben scoffs.
Suddenly, after a rude awakening Ben finds himself in the middle of domestic chaos as his wife Wendy and two daughters (Debby Ryan and Taylor Groothuis) prepare for church at which Ben is the new pastor. His confusion continues, and he tries to convince his new family that he doesn’t belong there.
Ben struggles to make sense of his situation and finally consults Mike only to discover that before he can return to his old life, he must first embrace his new reality. He must discover the value of faith and family, and perhaps restore his love for those whose hearts he wounde
d 15 years ago: Wendy’s and God’s.
“It’s a tear-jerker, comedy, and romance. You will love it!!” continued Sorbo. “It opens in theaters August 20, so all of you get a chance to take a look at it.”
“Our website, http://whatif-movie.com, has all the info on the release,” Jenkins added, “including a link on how you can find out how to bring the movie to your area.”
See the following for updates and more information:
www.facebook.com/what.if.movie
(Photos and videos courtesy of Dallas Jenkins)
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