Phil Wickham has launched 14 Christian worship albums, has been Platinum licensed and nominated for American Music Awards, Dove Awards, Billboard Music Awards and Grammys — however all of his vocal coaching and performances couldn’t put together him to step into the footwear of one among his Biblical heroes with the upcoming animated musical movie “David.”
Directed by Phil Cunningham and Brent Dawes, “David” marks the second animated movie this 12 months for Angel Studios. April’s “The King of Kings” made $60 million and is the second-highest-grossing movie from the studio following “Sound of Freedom,” which made $184 million. The movie hits theaters on Friday. If the discharge date sounds acquainted, it could possibly be as a result of the third installment within the multibillion-dollar “Avatar” franchise, “Avatar: Hearth and Ash,” is launched on the identical day. Presale numbers for “David” are at $15 million on 3,100 screens, however with “Avatar” monitoring to open between $135 million and $165 million, and “The SpongeBob Film: Seek for SquarePants” additionally monitoring between $13 million and $20 million, it could appear to be a real David vs. Goliaths for ticket gross sales.
That in itself could possibly be daunting, however for Wickham, the largest obstacles got here lengthy earlier than launch dates had been determined. Regardless of enjoying in arenas with 1000’s of followers, he had a “secret dream” of voicing a personality in an animated movie. A personality “that carried braveness and religion and had some grand journey.” However as a result of he’d by no means chased that dream, he realistically put a restrict on that specific objective. Even when the chance arose, he was hesitant when going right into a casting assembly.
“I’m unoffendable. [I said to producers], if I suck, then simply inform me as a result of I don’t need to waste anyone’s time. And likewise, I don’t need to be unhealthy in a film as a lot as you don’t need to make a foul film,” says Wickham.
The up to date Christian artist, who not too long ago completed sold-out concert events at Downey Calvary Chapel and the Wiltern, had by no means tried his hand at voice performing. Not solely did he get the function, however he additionally had to assist convey to (animated) life one of the vital well-known tales within the Bible. The story of David — the boy who was anointed to turn into the king and alongside the way in which felled the large Philistine warrior Goliath with a rock and a slingshot — has turn into synonymous as probably the most well-known of underdog representations and checks of religion within the Bible. The character and story can also be one among Wickham’s favorites.
Phil Wickham all the time wished to voice an animated character, particularly after seeing “The Lion King.”
(Colton Dall)
“When this got here throughout my desk, so to talk, I used to be similar to, man, I may inform you that story, however I didn’t know if I had it in me. I didn’t know if I used to be a very good actor. I didn’t know if I may voice a personality, however I knew I wished a shot,” mentioned Wickham.
A curious revelation for Wickham was discovering that the singing that he’d been doing most of his life wouldn’t work on-screen, at the very least not for this challenge. He was requested to tone down issues, to generally “discuss via” lyrics and to typically make the music extra dramatic for the display.
“I believed, OK, I bought this. Because of this they employed me, as a result of I’m a singer. However that ended up being the toughest half as a result of they didn’t need me to sound like me,” Wickham mentioned.
“Singing turned a background to only being the character, which truthfully, in some methods, was the toughest factor. Possibly even for my ego as as an artist.”
It was positively a course of that required numerous fine-tuning and taking a look at David as not simply the king and hero that Wickham had grown up studying about at house and in Southern California church buildings. Sitting within the pews in Downey, the singer mirrored on why he bought into music and why Christian leisure is on the rise.
“I discovered actually fast that I beloved being part of moments the place folks had been encountering the identical hope and religion that I encountered in my room alone,” Wickham mentioned of songwriting and performing. He grew up with Christianity throughout him, however has seen a spike in recognition for music and flicks coping with faith-based fandom.
“For this film ‘David’ to come back out presently … I believe that the world is on the lookout for stuff to hope in. I believe individuals are simply looking out and discovering out an increasing number of the reality that if we glance round us on the world of man, we’re not going to search out actual options. In order that possibly if we glance up, we are going to.”
