Wesley is based closely on the actual events of John Wesley's life, a story that already reads like a Hollywood screenplay.  Wesley is a compelling and controversial main character -- one that women found intensely attractive, even though his personal relationships were fraught with difficulty. There is adventure on the high seas, a terrible storm and near-shipwreck.  In Georgia, there is an incredibly romantic but star-crossed love affair that ends tragically.  Wesley is crushed, and on his return to England we experience his spiritual struggle and finally renewal.  We are then swept away with his preaching in the fields and his efforts to help the lowest classes of society.  His ministry is controversial, there is mob violence, confrontation, and tension followed by his victorious preaching to thousands in his home town.

In short, this true story has everything that Hollywood loves to put into movies!  The movie will have the seafaring adventure of Master & Commander, the bittersweet romance of Sense and Sensibility, but at the same time will have a compelling story of conversion, faith, dynamic social reform and ministry.

We believe that this true story contains the elements to make a truly compelling motion picture.  The story is one of grace, portraying clearly the spiritual transformation that changed Wesley from an outwardly religious man driven by his own need for salvation to one confident of grace, and compelled to share with others the love that he had received.

The story of Wesley is of course historical and public domain.  John Jackman has completed over a thousand hours of extensive research on the historical story, funded in part by Comenius Foundation and the Christian History Institute, and has consolidated a compelling three-act script storyline that is both historically accurate and dramatically compelling.   Several top Wesley scholars will be involved as consultants.

Dramatically effective portions of an earlier script, The Burning (by John Wells and Norman Stone) have been incorporated in the final script of Wesley. 

NOTE: Investment in the project is by private offering only.  The business plan is a confidential document available only to Foundery Pictures associates and qualified investors.  Contact us to request further information.

Progress To Date 

This project has been in development for over four years.  Executive Producer John Jackman has personally spent well over 1500 hours in historical research on the Wesley story, and has compiled a story concept that is both historically accurate and dramatically compelling.  Extensive consultation with industry experts has been incorporated into both the casting approach, budgeting level, and location filming techniques to create a project that is likely to both succeed in popular appeal and turn a financial profit.  Particular emphasis has been given to advice from experienced independent film producers that have successfully completed films in the $2 million production budget range.

Extensive location research and the rich assortment of authentic historical locations in North Carolina permitted the filming of this ambitious and visually rich project on a controlled budget.  Exhaustive casting calls were held to find the best actors to fill each of the many roles in the picture.

PRINCIPAL PHOTOGRAPHY is complete; production was wrapped on schedule and on budget on 7/15/07.  The project has now entered the post-production phase of editing, sound effects editing, and musical score composition.  The post process will involve state-of-the-art motion tracking, compositing effects, and 3d animation.

Composer Bruce Kiesling, resident conductor of the Greensboro Symphony, is composing the original score for the movie, using authentic 18th century tunes as inspiration for the themes.  

 Wesley is on track for planned release to theatres in early 2009!

• Controlled costs
• Distributor interest
• Grassroots promotion
• Broad audience appeal