Hollywood star Neal McDonough opened up about his latest role in the apocalyptic movie “Homestead,” harkening back to his faith as the studio finally drops the release date in theaters this year.
The 58-year-old actor has landed the role of Ian Ross, an affluent homesteader in the thriller from Angel Studios, the same studio responsible for the popular faith-based television series “The Chosen” and brought last year’s sleeper hit “Sound Of Freedom” to the big screen.
“Good Guy” Role In Apocalyptic Thriller
McDonough famously plays villains on the big and small screen, most notably in the hit Paramount+ series “Yellowstone.” But in this thriller he takes on the “good guy” role of Ross who’s described as a “homesteader living in the Rockies who believes he’s prepared for every eventuality — that is until he comes face-to-face with the moral dilemmas presented by civil unrest at his own doorstop.”
“When Ian is torn between his wife’s faith and the brutal realities of survival, every decision comes with gut-wrenching consequences,” the description added.
“To me, Ian is all of us,” McDonough said in a recent post shared on Instagram from the studio and actor. “Just a man trying to do right by his conscience-the commitments he’s made to his wife and family, to his God, and to his fellow man.”
“He doesn’t always get it right,” he added. “And really none of us do, but for the grace of God.”
During a recent appearance, McDonough spoke briefly about his new movie and the role which is completely opposite of the parts he typically lands, noting this time he gets to play a “good guy.”
“It’s kind of Kevin Costner’s character from ‘Yellowstone’ but a much more family-friendly event,” the “Band of Brothers” star said. “It’s post-apocalyptic, what happens when the world falls apart. This guy I’m playing has lots of money and everyone wants into my homestead and my compound.”
“I hire these military guys and they’re saying no one can come in,” he added. “But my heart just breaks when I see these people and I start giving everything away.”
Hollywood And His Faith
The role seems to go along with the type of projects McDonough has said he wants to be a part of, noting in a recent Fox News interview that after he went through “a hard few years” in Hollywood not finding work, he always believed God had a plan for him.
The devout Catholic, who shares 5 kids with wife Ruve, said he was “blessed at a very young age to have a strong relationship with God. And it’s been paramount in my life as everyone kind of knows. Look, we all make mistakes. We’re all flawed, we’re all human. And that’s kind of what makes us beautiful at the same time.”
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“And you know, especially in the films that Ruvé [Robertson] and I have been doing and … producing in the last couple of years, they talk about these things,” he added. “[They] talk about what it’s like to have your faith challenged or how you can overcome certain difficulties in life knowing that God has your back…”
And news about another one of his projects is reportedly expected to be announced soon, with Angel Studios telling The Daily Wire they are also working on another project with McDonough, though the details have yet to be released.
“Homestead” Movie And Release Date
Angel Studios first broke the news that it had completed production on “Homestead,” which is based on the best-selling book series, “Black Autumn,” earlier this year. And now the studio has released that the film will hit theaters on December 20th, with Angel Studios posting that it will be out “just in time for Christmas.”
Showrunner Ben Kasica told The Daily Wire that their “goal was to create a gripping, realistic portrayal of survival that echoes the uncertainties present in today’s world. The ‘Homestead’ film and series has been a passion project for our team, aimed at sparking conversation about preparedness, community building, and resilient faith during challenging times.”
The movie, which will later transition into a TV series, is described as “a post-apocalyptic family survival drama. A string of attacks and collapses drives troubled Green Beret Jeff Kirkham to take a job as head of security for a wealthy doomsday prepper, Ross. Ross has built an elaborate permaculture compound for friends and family.”
“As the fabric of America goes to pieces, a few dozen families scramble to ‘The Homestead’ in a last-ditch effort to survive,” it added. “They quickly discover that Ross’ elaborate plans will not protect them. Outside the gates, desperate neighbors, criminals, and opportunistic rivals look to The Homestead’s resources as a treasure trove. Inside, the community divides into factions: military versus civilian, compassionate versus practical, spiritual versus rational.”
“Eventually, the gentle rhythms of the land permeate all, and a spirit of unity begins to overtake the community,” it continued. “As they cultivate the plants, animals, and the soil, and as they face looming destruction, their modern squabbles give way to ancient, forgotten truths.”