Just in time for Easter, audiences are already lining up to see Breakthrough, produced by DeVon Franklin. It’s based on the incredible true story of a mother who prays her son back to life.
This incredible film centers around Joyce Smith’s (Chrissy Metz) son John (Marcel Ruiz) who falls through an icy Missouri lake. According to the story, all hope seems lost. But as John lies lifeless, Joyce refuses to give up. Her steadfast belief produces a miracle that flies in the face of every medical case history and

Marcel Ruiz (John Smith) and Chrissy Metz (Joyce Smith) star in Twentieth Century Fox’s BREAKTHROUGH. Photo Credit: Allen Fraser.
scientific prediction. The film will be in theaters April 17, 2019 and also stars Mike Colter (Luke Cage), Dennis Haysbert (24) and Topher Grace (That 70s Show).
Right On! Digital went one on one with the film’s producer Devon Franklin, who has been on the fast track making such faith-based pictures as Heaven Is For Real and Miracles From Heaven.
INTERVIEW BY CYNTHIA HORNER
Q: When you left your position as an executive at a film studio several years ago to start your own company, was that a leap of faith or did you anticipate a lot of the success that you wound up achieving?
A: It was totally a leap of faith and I’m blessed that it is all working out; I’m just taking it one step at a time.
Q: How did you go about selecting this project?
A: I found the story. I had done Miracles From Heaven and I met the family. The moment that I heard their story, I knew that I had to make the film. It blew me away.I knew I had to make it for the big screen. The family is in medical records. When I found out about it, I was like, “Wow, did that really happen?” I had to do my part to bring in to the well.
Q: What aspect of the story tugged at your heartstrings?
A: The mother going into the emergency room and praying her son back to life. That moment stuck with me then and sticks with me now.
Q: How did the family feel about seeing the completed film?
A: They love it. They absolutely love it! I wanted to do right by them so whenever the family is happy, that’s a good thing. Now it’s my job to get it out to the world.
Q: This film is being released just in time for the Easter season. Was that your intention?
A: Yes, this is the third film that I have had come out at Easter. I love the Easter season. It’s the perfect time to release films like this and I’ve had so much success in the past that I knew this film needed to be released at Easter as well.
Q: What are some of the emotions that people have had when they attended a screening?
A: Laughter, clapped and excitement. Some people have cried throughout the film. It’s just great entertainment.
Q: Your trailer for the film is mesmerizing. I was so impressed with so many aspects of the story.
A: You’re right. At the time we conducted the interview, the trailer already had over 110 million views.
Q: It’s important that positive films get the box office dollars. If we like something, we can’t keep it to ourselves. If we want to see these films get made, we have to support them!
A: There you go; you’re speaking my language.
Q: Can you discuss a behind-the-scenes story about the film?
A: Yes. We shot the film on a frozen lake, which is very hard. Shooting on a frozen lake is one of the most difficult things we have ever done. It was amazing bringing it to life. The frozen along with some stage work and we put it all together.
Q: Are you starting a new project soon?
A: Believe it or not I am starting on a project on Richard Montanez, the creator of the Flaming Hot Cheetos. I’m really excited about that; it’s a totally different movie for me.
WATCH THE TRAILER HERE: