RIO DE JANEIRO (BP) – In the original “Flywheel,” a young Alex Kendrick portrays a dishonest used car salesman who encounters Rutha Mae Harris, an African American straight-talking customer who encourages honesty after his come-to-Jesus moment.
Audiences were charmed as Jesus changed the heart of a business owner, husband and father who was so tainted he would place empty tithing envelopes in the church offering plate, within full view of his pregnant, scolding wife.
That was in 2003, when Kendrick brothers Alex and Stephen were new on the Christian filmmaking scene with Sherwood Pictures. Their debut prominently featured a cast of Black and white characters, which Stephen Kendrick later described to Baptist Press as indicative of their upbringing, their membership at the multiethnic Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, Ga., and their worship of Jesus.
More than two decades and several hit films later, and after launching their independent company Kendrick Brothers Productions with their brother Shannon, the Kendricks are expanding their cultural reach with a remake of Flywheel. The new film is set in Rio de Janeiro, features a predominantly Brazilian cast, and is presented in Portuguese with English subtitles.
“Flywheel: Ignition of the Soul,” debuts in Brazilian markets in September, followed by an Oct. 16 release in the U.S., Affirm Films announced April 22. The Brazilian remake was inspired by the Brazilian success of the Kendrick Brothers’ 2024 release “The Forge,” which opened in the top spot in Brazilian markets and grossed $9 million there.
Kendrick Brothers Productions further strengthened its Brazilian reach by hosting a filmmaking bootcamp in Rio in advance of the film’s production, which began in September 2025.
“The Brazilian filmmakers had all the talent and ingredients in the kitchen,” Alex Kendrick said upon the announcement of the film’s debut, “but wanted us to help them produce something inspirational in Brazil at the quality they saw in The Forge.”
The new Flywheel again features a used-car salesman, this time played by Mario Bregieira as Noah Silva, whose life is ripe for Gospel change and conviction.
“After a series of wake-up calls,” Affirm said in describing the film, “Noah is forced to confront the cost of his choices. He begins a difficult and deeply personal journey to restore his integrity while trying to win back the hearts of his wife and son.”
The film’s production took less time than anticipated, Stephen Kendrick said in a press release, describing the new production as “better shot, acted and scored than the original” Flywheel.
“It was amazing,” Stephen said. “We did not know the language, local resources or culture, but saw God help us do more in less time. We found out that Brazilian pastors had been praying for this for five years. … I’m truly excited to see how audiences will respond to this new version in theaters this fall.”
Alex Kendrick joins the cast of stars also including Pérola Faria, Gui Tavares, Felipe Folgosi, Adriano Canindé and Elizeu Rodrigues. Alessandro Barros directs the film Alex wrote, with five producers including Alex and Stephen.
Stephen has credited his father with teaching them to respect ethnic diversity.
“Our father launched a Christian school, and it had white, Black, Hispanic – all different races – in leadership in the school, and it was a loving, unified Christian school,” Stephen told Baptist Press in 2024. “We saw them modeling the way.”
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