Chart-topping worship band Hillsong United will appear in a documentary film, "Hillsong- Let Hope Rise," next year.
Alcon Entertainment announced Tuesday that it had acquired the rights to the footage, and the movie will be released by Warner Bros. on April 3, 2015.
The documentary will show the progression of the young Australian group that grew from a megachurch youth ministry to a Billboard chart-topping, contemporary Christian sensation.
The band was formed in the Pentacostal Hillsong Church, which offers services in Australia, London, the Ukraine, South Africa, Sweden, Paris, New York, and many other locations across the world.
Hillsong United's first EP, "One," was released in 1999 and went Gold in Australia. Their first studio album, "All of the Above," was released in 2007 and topped Billboard's Christian/Gospel charts, iTunes Christian music albums, and Nielsen Christian SoundScan. The group has gone on to sell over 16 million albums, and sells out concerts worldwide.
Alcon founders and CEOs Andrew Kosove and Broderick Johnson described the broad appeal of the talented Christians.
"In terms of reach, Hillsong United is one of the biggest bands out there, Christian or otherwise," they said in a statement. "But at their core, they're just a group of unassuming individuals impacting the world with their music."
"We're thrilled to be part of bringing their extraordinary story to the big screen."
"Hillsong- Let Hope Rise" will show concert and behind-the-scenes footage of the band, and is directed by Michael John Warren. Warren has also directed documentaries on rappers Jay-Z, Nicki Minaj, and Drake.
Matt Weaver of MediaWeaver Entertainment and Jonathan Bock of Grace Hill Media are the producers of the project, and B. Wayne Hughes Jr. and Greg Campbell of Cantinas Entertainment are the executive producers. The newly formed Cantinas Entertainment is also financing the film.
Hillsong United tweeted that they are excited about the project, and also retweeted lyrics to their song, "No Other Name," from the Hillsong Worship Twitter account.
"You've given me life/You've opened my eyes," a captioned photo read. "'Thank You Jesus' #NoOtherName."
