The director of "God's Not Dead" and its sequel "God's Not Dead 2" has already set plans in motion for his next faith-based film, which is inspired by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band song called "God Bless the Broken Road."
Director Harold Cronk says the film will be produced through his 10 West Productions along with Great Basin Entertainment and A Really Good Home Pictures, Deadline reports. Cronk wrote the script himself together with Jennifer Dornbush.
"God Bless the Broken Road" will focus on the life of a young mother who lost her husband in Afghanistan due to war. With him gone, the widow must raise their young daughter by herself and come to terms with her mistakes and loss once she stumbles upon true love.
"I felt it was important to show someone in a crisis of faith in the face of overwhelming loss," says Cronk.
There will be elements of faith, country music, and stock car racing in the film, says Cronk, who plans to film it in Manistee and Grand Rapids, Michigan. He will also shoot scenes at the Berlin Raceway.
Cronk knows West Michigan by heart because it is where he grew up. He began his filmmaking career in Los Angeles back in 2004. He started out as an art director and production designer. After four years, he moved back to his home state and started 10 West Studios with the intent of producing movies with family and faith-based content.
The Christian director acknowledges that his movies have drawn a lot of flak from non-believers. Despite this, he says he remains committed to making more inspiring films.
When "God's Not Dead" was first released, people criticised it for being "anti-atheist." But the movie did really well despite the criticisms, grossing $62.6 million on a budget of only $2 million.
"We're expecting it to get beat up a little bit by the secular community, but that's all right. Our God can take it," Cronk earlier told the Ludington Daily News. "As long as you are willing to acknowledge that God is in charge of your life and you're not, that you are willing to follow Him, that's kind of where I am right now."
