3 of 3

Will the churches essentially act as "theaters," selling tickets? Selling popcorn, candy and sodas? Does a church need a big screen and fancy projection system to make this work?

Lalonde: We have left every detail of the program to the local church. Since some are in secondary buildings [locations other than the sanctuary], there will be popcorn and pop, while others will be in sanctuaries. Most churches have pretty sophisticated video projection facilities and big audio now, so it should be an awesome experience.

The first two films weren't very well received by critics. How did that criticism affect you? Did it motivate you to do better, or did it discourage you, or what?

Lalonde: Well, we pretty much knew that mainstream critics were going to hammer us just because of the message.

Its Christian message?

Lalonde: Yes, there is this Hollywood mindset that was well coined by Samuel Goldwyn: "If you want to send a message, call Western Union." Of course, Hollywood sends messages every day, but they have always had this mindset toward Christian films, and frankly I think they still do. We may be the flavor of the month in Hollywood, but I see no real interest there in making truly Christian films. However, I do see a great interest in selling their films to Christians.

It's funny, because our biggest critics were other filmmakers within the faith-based community, who all said how they would have done it bigger. And yet the rights to the film were shopped for two and a half years—to major studios, Christian investors, Christian film companies in Hollywood—and no one bought them. It's like, "Dude, if you are going to do all these great things, the first thing you have to do is buy the rights." But no one would put a dime on the table. That is when Cloud Ten was approached.

I am also a little defensive of the original movie because the response from the Christian audience was overwhelmingly positive. But Paul and I believe God called us to do what we do. We have put our hand to the plow and done the best we can, and have remained committed to the message. And I think Left Behind: World at War is the quantum leap we have been looking for.

Why?

Lalonde: Many reasons. We are becoming more experienced filmmakers. Sony helped us raise the level with some good advice. We had much more time to hone the script. The acting was raised to a whole new level by Lou and Kirk, and that drove everyone to reach further. I mean Kirk set the tone in his first scene, and everyone went, "Wow!" I think he now has an increased ownership of the Buck Williams character and he's got this flow going. I can't wait until the next movie.

The Left Behind books have sold incredibly well. Were you hoping for the same kind of success with the LB movies? Or is that realistic?

Lalonde: We have had enormous success as well. Wait till we get to the twelfth movie! Our first movie was named "Best-Selling Title of the Year by an Independent Studio" and this new film is opening on almost 3,000 screens.

Louis Gossett Jr. plays the role of the President

For a while there, the Left Behind brand name was omnipresent—on top of the best-seller lists, discussed in the mainstream media, embraced by evangelicals everywhere. But more recently, the LB frenzy has died down. Are you concerned that the diminished interest could hurt this film's chances to succeed?

Lalonde: Sure we are. But a film is different animal and we have to build up loyalty the same way the books did. I still think it is the biggest brand in the Christian world.

Some might say the LB movies—and books, for that matter—are "preaching to the choir," with a message that only Christians would understand, that it's not necessarily something that "outsiders" would "get." What's your take on that?

Lalonde: There was debate once where it was argued that the books had crossed over because 50 percent were selling in the general market. But no one could answer the question of who was buying them at Wal-Mart. Was it the guy who just came from the local pub? Or was it Christians? I thought the answer was pretty clear. There are 200 million people who identify with the Christian faith in this country, and they shop at Wal-Mart just like I do. Anyway, if that argument were valid, we are totally crossed over because our movie sales are now 95% in the general market. In the end, I think it usually takes a believer to put one of the books or even movies into the hands of most unbelievers. That is just the way evangelism has always worked. It is what the church film night is all about: "I saw an ad and went." So it can work a hundred ways.

How did you get Louis Gossett Jr. to play a role? Should we assume he's a Christian?

Lalonde: Lou is a Christian and I am great at begging—oh wait, that is what a producer does!

© 2005 Christianity Today International. All rights reserved. Click for reprint information.

first page |  3 of 3

Related Elsewhere:

Left Behind: World at War	Printer view