Dallas Jenkins, creator of ‘The Chosen,’ is breathing new life into one of his earlier projects.
In an interview with Charisma Media, Jenkins shared how his 2010 faith-based film “What If,” starring Kevin Sorbo, Christy Swanson and John Ratzenberger, will return to theaters for a special two-day engagement on August 5 and 7. For Jenkins, the message of the movie is “more timely today than it even was 15 years ago.”
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The film explores a timeless question: What if you had followed God’s calling instead of chasing worldly success? Jenkins explains, “It’s kind of a reverse ‘It’s a Wonderful Life.’ In that movie, George Bailey sees what the world would’ve looked like if he’d never been born. In ‘What If,’ Kevin Sorbo’s character sees what life would’ve looked like if he’d made the right decision.” In the movie, the character had traded love and ministry for money and status—only to discover that true fulfillment comes from faith, fatherhood and service.
In a time when people are increasingly overwhelmed by social media and comparison, Jenkins believes the movie strikes a deep chord. “My kids struggle with this—trying to focus on serving others rather than seeking social media success,” he said. “The message of ‘What If’ is about choosing ministry and Christ over everything else. It’s a reminder I even need myself.”
The re-release will also feature a brand-new retrospective segment with Jenkins and the original cast. “We got the cast together and did a retrospective—15 minutes at the end of the movie where you get to see Kevin Sorbo, Christy Swanson, John Ratzenberger and myself sharing never-before-heard stories about the film’s making,” Jenkins shared.
While “What If” is hitting theaters, Jenkins is also deep in production on season six of “The Chosen,” calling it the “hardest thing I’ve ever done.” The crew has been filming emotionally intense scenes—including the crucifixion—in grueling conditions, from overnight shoots in Texas heat to remote locations in Italy. “Even just saying out loud that we have 30 more days of filming is exhausting,” Jenkins admitted. “But the footage we’re getting… I think it’s going to change the world.”
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The first six episodes are expected to stream in late summer or early fall 2026, with the crucifixion finale releasing as a global theatrical event in early 2027. Jenkins hinted, “There are things in that movie that I know have never been portrayed before in a crucifixion story. People are going to understand and appreciate the crucifixion in a fresh way.”
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At the heart of both “What If” and “The Chosen” lies the same theme: surrender. “The theme is, ‘I’m going to put aside my preconceived notions… and give redemption to others because I’ve received redemption from Christ,’” Jenkins said. “That’s the story I want to keep telling.”
Abby Trivett is content development editor for Charisma Media.
