Phil Wickham Takes on a New Role in Animated Musical

Phil Wickham is well-known for his success in the music industry, with numerous awards and millions of albums sold. But even with that background, it’s not a given that he’d be the right fit for the lead in the animated musical david.

Growing up, Wickham was a fan of musicals like The Lion King and Aladdin. He often dreamed of having a chance to sing along and perhaps even voice some characters himself. “It was a dream I never pursued, and I never thought it would become a reality,” he shared.

When he heard about an upcoming musical featuring a king from the Old Testament, he couldn’t resist. He jumped at the opportunity and signed up for auditions, though he faced the challenge of several rounds, often hearing, “Don’t call us, we’ll call you.”

At one point, he candidly told a talent scout that if he wasn’t right for the part, he didn’t want to get hired. It was a strange feeling, contemplating whether he’d be the right choice. “What if they thought, ‘This guy wouldn’t do that’?” he recalled. “I didn’t want to ruin the movie either.”

Initially, the whole process felt intimidating, yet he began to grow comfortable as he attended auditions over Zoom and then in the studio. Each time, he sensed improvement, but uncertainty lingered about whether he would land the role.

Weeks passed without any news. Then, while he was at the airport, he received a call from a flight attendant—he got the role.

The film david, rated PG, is scheduled for release on December 19. It chronicles the life of the biblical David, showcasing his journey from a shepherd boy to the King of Israel. Wickham voices the adult David, while Brandon Engman plays the younger version.

According to Angel Studios, the creators of the film, it’s “absolutely gorgeous,” comparable to Tangled and The Prince of Egypt.

Reflecting on his experience in the studio, Wickham mentioned feeling the weight of playing such an iconic figure but trusted the coaching he received. As someone who loves musicals, he believes that this film can touch many families with its Biblical messages and he is genuinely excited about its release. The movie runs for about 1 hour and 45 minutes, featuring Wickham’s character midway through the story.

Wickham hopes that children and audiences will see admirable qualities in David, someone who “rose up when men and women refused to take God’s place.” He imagines families singing along to the songs, just like children do with tunes from the Frozen franchise.

“I hope they leave the theater wanting to play the soundtrack, which is filled with stories of God, psalms, and hope,” he said. “I believe this film will last for decades and will be something our grandchildren will enjoy,” he added.

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