Dallas Jenkins Reflects on His Early Work

Dallas Jenkins, widely recognized as the director of I Was Chosen, also has a different piece of his career that lingers in the minds of certain film enthusiasts — a cult classic from 15 years ago. That film, What If?, is returning to theaters for a limited re-release on August 5th and 7th, showcasing a story about a businessman who strayed from his faith in pursuit of success in the corporate world.

Originally released in 2010, the movie didn’t quite make a splash at the box office, failing to enter the top 20, but it garnered a loyal audience through home video sales.

“Interestingly enough, this is my kids’ favorite movie that I’ve ever done — perhaps I Was Chosen and maybe even Best Christmas Pageant Ever come close,” Jenkins shared with fans in a recent video. “It didn’t do much in theaters, but it definitely resonated with a lot of people, having a big impact on many lives. Following God’s calling can really change how you view your life.”

The film features Kevin Sorbo, known for God Is Not Dead, as the lead character, Ben Walker, along with John Ratzenberger from Cheers, who plays the angel Mike. Kristy Swanson and Debbie Ryan also star in the film.

“For those who may have, in the past, made choices that I imagine God didn’t want us to make — well, this movie addresses that,” Jenkins stated. “We infused a lot of humor into it. It’s very family-friendly, emphasizing themes like marriage, family, faith, ministry, and service. It’s, in essence, a gospel film.”

Sorbo commented that he considers What If? among the top three films of his career.

“I’m still talking about it 15 years later,” Sorbo remarked.