(Fayetteville, AR) Favorable response from exhibitors, preview audiences and cross-promotional partners has encouraged indie distributor Hannover House, Inc. (OTC: HHSE) to significantly expand the theatrical release for its first fully-facilitated feature production, “WILDFIRE: The Legend of the Cherokee Ghost Horse.” The family-appeal movie was inspired by the # 1 worldwide hit song by Michael Martin Murphey, and features the final big-screen performance for the late Anne Heche.
The film was originally slated for a key market theatrical release on Jan. 26, 2024. However, competitive factors and positive audience response have created the opportunity for a wider theatrical break. The release date of April 19 will provide Hannover House with another three-months of pre-release marketing, as well as place the title in a rare calendar window in which no other family appeal releases are scheduled as competition. There are two other wide release films set for April 19: the Guy Ritchie World War II action film, “The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare” from Lionsgate and “Abigail” a horror-thriller from Universal. There are no live-action family features in the weeks leading up to and following April 19, with only two animated releases set as potential competition for family viewers: Disney’s “Luca” on March 22, and Viva’s “Dragonkeeper” on April 5.
In addition to traditional in-theatre promotions, Hannover House will also be working with a large assortment of local, regional and national cross-promotional sponsors, ranging from rodeo and horse-riding groups to a major, national retail clothing chain.
“Murphey’s ‘WILDFIRE’ song is so iconic and beloved,” said Eric Parkinson. “We have seen how cross-generations react to this movie and to the story of a young girl who befriends a mysterious, wild horse. It’s got a great message and is a wholesome, family-appeal movie that leaves you with a smile. The opportunity to fit the movie’s release into a window in which there are no competitive family titles was a blessing for the movie and for families that love inspirational films,” he continued.
Chevel Shepherd, winner of NBC’s “The Voice” competition portrays Samantha Nichols, a young girl who is struggling to deal with the sudden loss of her parents. Michael Martin Murphey portrays Pastor Micah, and Mo Brings Plenty (“Yellowstone”) plays Udeli, a Cherokee Spiritual Advisor. The parents are played by Adrian Paul (“Highlander”) and Cara Jade Myers (“Killers of the Flower Moon”). Other notable cast members include Olivia Slatton-Fite as Joyce, Thesa Loving as Grandma Bette, Major Dodge Senior as Fred and the late, screen legend Anne Heche as the rodeo trainer.
The film was produced by Snowy Morning, Inc., and shot primarily in eastern Oklahoma, with creative guidance and advisors from the United Keetowah Band of Cherokee Indians. Financing was provided through private investors and through facilitation loans made by Hannover House, in consideration for sales representation rights.
In addition to the film’s national theatrical release on April 19, 2024 – Hannover House is working with Cinemark Theatres for a series of “sneak-peek” / word-of-mouth events to occur on February 28 in selected markets.
TITLE LISTING INFORMATION
Release Date: April 19, 2024
Title: WILDFIRE: The Legend of the Cherokee
Ghost Horse
Genre: Family / Horses / Live-Action
Writers: Written by ERIC PARKINSON and MIKE SNYDER, based on the hit song by MICHAEL MARTIN MURPHEY
Director: ERIC
PARKINSON
Producers: CHRIS
LARGE, KYLE MARTENS, ERIC PARKINSON
Stars: CHEVEL
SHEPHERD, ANNE HECHE, ADRIAN PAUL,
MICHAEL MARTIN MURPHEY, MO BRINGS PLENTY,
OLIVIA SLATTON-FITE, THESA LOVING, MAJOR DODGE, SNR., CASSIE SELF and CARA JADE MYERS.
Director of Photography: ANDREW
PARKE
Editor: ANDREW BOWCOCK
Running Time: 111
Minutes
MPAA Rating : Pending (anticipate PG)
Format: 1:185
/ Dolby Stereo
Trailers
& Feature Content Distribution by DELUXE LABS, dlxindies@bydeluxe.com
Posters
& Standee Distribution by HANNOVER HOUSE, Eric@HannoverHouse.com
For More Information Contact: ERIC PARKINSON, Eric@HannoverHouse.com / 818-481-5277
SHORT SYNOPSIS:
Inspired by the legend of the Cherokee Ghost
Horse and the #1 hit song by Michael Martin Murphey - WILDFIRE tells a story of redemption and
forgiveness as a young girl deals with her guilt following the sudden and tragic
death of her parents.
LONG SYNOPSIS:
Inspired
by the legend of the Cherokee Ghost Horse and the #1 hit song by Michael Martin
Murphey - WILDFIRE tells a story of
redemption and forgiveness as a young girl deals with her guilt following the
sudden and tragic death of her parents (Adrian Paul and Cara Jade Myers).
Samantha Nichols (Chevel Shepherd) and her brother,
Austin, move to Oklahoma to live on Grandma’s horse farm. Emotionally lost and
distraught, Samantha finds peace from the attentions she receives from a
mysterious wild horse that befriends her. With training from a champion rider (Anne
Heche), Samantha enters the barrel racing competition and begins to accept
her new situation and friends. But her guilt remains, as Samantha hides the
dark secret that she feels responsible for her parent’s death. She cannot
forgive herself. But, with the help of a local Cherokee Spiritual Advisor (Mo
Brings Plenty) and her pastor (Michael Martin Murphey), Samantha
comes to realize a greater truth and a solace to her life.
