The entertainment world received a notable announcement at CinemaCon when Angel Studios revealed its next major feature: Drummer Boy. The project pairs filmmaker Ben Smallbone with his brother Joel David Smallbone, who is widely known as one half of the Grammy-winning duo For King and Country. Presented as an action-musical, the film centers on two siblings who find themselves on opposing sides of the American Revolutionary War, blending dramatic conflict with musical storytelling.
Angel positioned Drummer Boy as a high-profile entry in its slate, highlighting the Smallbone brothers’ family connection and the film’s ambitious scope. The story’s musical roots stem from the brothers’ background in contemporary Christian pop, while the cinematic approach draws on Ben Smallbone’s directing experience. The company also indicated the film will be produced with a cinematic scale in mind, promising period sets and a score integral to narrative momentum.
Project details and casting
The screenplay for Drummer Boy was written by Richard L. Ramsey, and Joel David Smallbone not only co-directs but headlines the cast. Joining him are actors Lucas Leach and Beth Easdown, with the production noting that further casting announcements will follow. According to Angel, preparation is underway and the production will begin shooting in Ireland later this month, a choice that aims to capture authentic period landscapes and production-friendly locations.
Creative pedigree and prior work
Ben Smallbone arrives with a resume that includes titles such as Priceless and Homestead, films that established his approach to emotionally grounded stories. Joel David Smallbone brings a crossover profile from music to film—he’s appeared in and directed several faith-oriented productions, including Priceless, Journey to Bethlehem, and the 2026 American Christian drama Unsung Hero, which he also directed. Their combined experience merges stage-informed musical sensibility with a cinematic eye for intimate character drama.
How brotherhood shapes the film
The sibling creative team has emphasized that the film grew from a personal place: a long development process tied to family narratives and spiritual themes. The brothers described the project as years in the making, connecting national history—referencing a nation built on roughly 250 years of independence—with a storytelling lineage that reaches back to the foundations of the Christmas narrative more than two millennia ago. Their perspective frames Drummer Boy not only as a historical action piece but also as a film about familial bonds and moral divergence.
Angel Studios’ broader CinemaCon showcase
Alongside Drummer Boy, Angel used its CinemaCon presentation to spotlight other slated releases. Among them is the animated adaptation of Animal Farm, directed by Andy Serkis and scheduled for release on May 1. The animation features a prominent voice cast that includes Seth Rogen, Woody Harrelson, Glenn Close, Gaten Matarazzo, Jim Parsons, Kathleen Turner, Kieran Culkin, Steve Buscemi, Laverne Cox, and Iman Vellani, signaling the studio’s appetite for star-driven adaptations of classic material.
Historical epics and release plans
Also highlighted was the historical epic Young Washington, which recounts the life of George Washington before the Revolutionary War. Directed by Jon Erwin, the film is set for release on July 3 and features a cast that includes Kelsey Grammer, Mary-Louise Parker, Ben Kingsley, and William Franklyn-Miller as a young George Washington. These titles together illustrate Angel’s dual strategy of faith-forward storytelling and mainstream historical adaptation, with music-driven projects like Drummer Boy offering a distinctive tonal variation.
As production ramps up, observers will be watching how the Smallbone brothers translate musical experience into a period war drama and how Angel Studios balances niche audiences with broader theatrical ambitions. Drummer Boy positions itself at the intersection of musical narrative, historical drama, and family-centered themes, promising a unique entry in the studio’s growing catalog.
