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Angel Studios Unveils Revolutionary War Action-Musical Drummer Boy at CinemaCon

Angel Studios presented the film Drummer Boy at CinemaCon on Monday. The action-musical is set during the American Revolutionary War and follows two brothers on opposite sides of the conflict. Production is scheduled to begin in Ireland later this month.

variety.com
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2 sources·Apr 13, 8:15 PM(3 hrs ago)·1m read
Angel Studios Unveils Revolutionary War Action-Musical Drummer Boy at CinemaConvariety.com
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Unveiling at CinemaCon Angel Studios unveiled the action-musical film Drummer Boy at CinemaCon on Monday.

The presentation also included the Andy Serkis-directed animation Animal Farm, set for release on May 1. Drummer Boy is based on a screenplay by Richard L. Smallbone. Ben Smallbone and Joel David Smallbone are directing the film.

Joel David Smallbone leads the cast, with Lucas Leach and Beth Easdown also in the cast. The film will begin shooting in Ireland later this month.

Film Plot and Setting Drummer Boy is an action-musical set during the American Revolutionary War.

It follows two brothers on opposite sides of the American Revolutionary War. Ben Smallbone and Joel David Smallbone stated: "Eight years in the making. A nation built on 250 years of independence.

Directors' Backgrounds Ben Smallbone is an Australian filmmaker who directed Priceless and Homestead.

Joel David Smallbone is one half of the Christian pop duo For King and Country alongside Luke Smallbone. For King and Country is a four-time Grammy-winning Christian pop group. Joel David Smallbone stars in Priceless, Journey to Bethlehem, and 2024 American Christian drama Unsung Hero.

He directed Unsung Hero.

Production Details The project has been in development for eight years, as stated by the directors.

Shooting is set to start in Ireland later this month.

Story Timeline

4 events
  1. 2026-04-13

    Angel Studios unveils Drummer Boy at CinemaCon.

    1 sourceAngel Studios
  2. 2026-04 (later this month)

    Shooting begins in Ireland.

    1 sourceVariety
  3. 2018

    Development starts on Drummer Boy.

    1 sourceBen Smallbone and Joel David Smallbone
  4. 2024

    Joel David Smallbone directs and stars in Unsung Hero.

    1 sourceunattributed

Potential Impact

  1. 01

    Contribution to CinemaCon's focus on diverse film genres.

  2. 02

    Increased interest in historical action-musicals from Angel Studios' slate.

  3. 03

    Potential boost to For King and Country's visibility through Joel David Smallbone's involvement.

  4. 04

    Advancement of Australian filmmakers in U.S.-themed projects.

Transparency Panel

Sources cross-referenced2
Framing risk0/100 (low)
Confidence score74%
Synthesized bySubstrate AI (grok-4-fast-non-reasoning)
Word count217 words
PublishedApr 13, 2026, 8:15 PM
Bias signals removed2 across 2 outlets
Signal Breakdown
neutral 1emotional 1

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