Exploring the Ownership of Sound of Freedom: A Disney Connection?
Sound of Freedom's phenomenal success has sparked speculation regarding its affiliation with Disney: were they the rightful owners of the film, and if so, did they choose to withhold its release?
Did Disney own Sound of Freedom and shelve the movie? Here's the scoop.
Sound of Freedom is an intriguing new thriller that shares the real-life tale of Tim Ballard (portrayed by Jim Caviezel), a federal agent who founded Operation Underground Railroad (OUR), a non-profit dedicated to saving children from sex trafficking networks.
The movie has generated a lot of buzz because of the controversy surrounding it and its record-breaking box office success, landing third place domestically behind Indiana Jones 5 and Barbie. Since its release on July 4, there has been a debate on social media regarding the distribution of Sound of Freedom and its connection to Disney - here's what you should be aware of.
Did Disney own the rights to Sound of Freedom?
Yes, Disney was the previous owner of the rights to Sound of Freedom after it completed its acquisition of 21st Century Fox in 2019.
The script for the film began development in 2015, three years before it hit theaters last week. During production, a distribution deal was made with 20th Century Fox, but the project was shelved when Disney took over the rights as part of the Disney-Fox merger. Filmmakers reportedly had to fight to set Sound of Freedom free.
Eduardo Verastegui, the movie's producer, expressed his determination to share Tim Ballard's story with the world. He revealed to the Washington Examiner that even though the film was completed in 2018, it faced numerous rejections from distributors for years. Netflix and Amazon were among the platforms that declined to take on the film, with every studio expressing concerns about potential financial losses.
In fall 2022, everything changed when Verastegui met with Angel Studios' CEO, Neal Harmon, who co-founded the company with his brothers Jeffrey and Jordan. Despite the Harmons being members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS) and the studio creating The Chosen, a TV series about Jesus' life, the company itself is not formally linked to any specific religion.
Angle Studios, the creator of its own streaming platform, utilizes equity crowdfunding as a means to fund its projects. This provides investors with the opportunity to purchase shares in the company and its productions. The excitement for their projects was evident when Angel Studios presented "Sound of Freedom" to its investors, resulting in an agreement for the company to distribute the film in March of this year.
Within less than 10 days, about 7,200 people invested $5 million to ensure the film's release. Jordan Harmon reported this to the outlet. It seems that they are on track to earn a return on their investment as Sound of Freedom has exceeded expectations at the box office.
Why did Disney shelve Sound of Freedom?
Regrettably, Disney has not issued a formal explanation for the decision to shelve Sound of Freedom. However, there is widespread online speculation, with some proposing that it may be connected to the film's controversy.
In our previous article, we discussed the doubts surrounding the legitimacy of OUR's rescue missions. A Vice World News investigation in 2020 exposed discrepancies between the group's claimed successes and their actual practices. The Attorney’s Office of Davis County, Utah, previously announced a criminal investigation into OUR and Tim Ballard regarding complaints of illegal fundraising, although the investigation was terminated this year.
Founded by Tim Ballard, Operation Underground Railroad has come under scrutiny for its association with QAnon. Both Ballard and the actor portraying him, Jim Caviezel, have previously expressed support for the conspiracy theories linked to the movement. These theories revolve around the belief that Satanic elitists are involved in a child sex trafficking ring and conspired against Donald Trump during his presidency.
Rolling Stone criticized the film, stating that the far right often turns to fantasies about godless monsters hurting children. They expressed disappointment that the film perpetuates the myth of stranger abductions, rather than acknowledging that most children are harmed by family members. The review also expressed concern about the impact of the film on viewers, suggesting that it may contribute to a misguided understanding of the reality of child sexual abuse.
Those supporting Ballard, OUR, and Sound of Freedom have accused Disney of refusing the distribution deal and the media of suppressing the truth from reaching American viewers. Some have even alleged that Disney is part of the so-called Satanic Hollywood elite. On Twitter, one person wrote: "Disney rejected Sound of Freedom but produced a movie about a teenage girl having a baby with a devil. Why is Disney against combating child trafficking but supportive of satanism?"
A different person posted a picture of Ghislaine Maxwell at Disney and commented that Disney had acquired the rights to The Sound of Freedom, a new movie about fighting child sex trafficking, after obtaining Fox Studios. Despite this, Disney chose not to release the movie. Instead, there was a back-and-forth struggle with José Eduardo Verástegui Córdoba, who eventually acquired the distribution rights and took the movie to Angel Studios for release. After sitting on a shelf for 5 years, the public would finally have the chance to see the movie.
A user named Lily on Twitter posted a question: “@Disney just wondering if you wanted to make a statement about the claims from the Sound of Freedom, people saying you stonewalled the release of their film. A lot of people would like to know your official position on this matter.”
This is all the information we have on Disney's previous ownership of Sound of Freedom. We will update this post if Disney makes a statement about it. Sound of Freedom is available for streaming on Prime Video, and you can sign up for it here. Be sure to explore our other coverage below.
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Editor's P/S
As a hard fan of Sound of Freedom, I am thrilled with its record-breaking box office success and the positive impact it has had on raising awareness about the issue of child sex trafficking. The film's powerful storytelling and Jim Caviezel's exceptional performance have resonated deeply with audiences, sparking important conversations about this critical societal problem.
However, I am disappointed by the controversy surrounding the film's distribution and the allegations against Operation Underground Railroad. The doubts raised about the legitimacy of OUR's rescue missions and the association with QAnon conspiracy theories are concerning and should be thoroughly investigated. It is crucial to ensure transparency and accountability in the fight against child sex trafficking, and any questionable practices should be addressed promptly.
