Dallas Jenkins' Tearful Farewell to 'David': When God Closes One Door, Faith Opens Another

By Beto Gudiño and Mili Gudiño

October 17, 2025

Christian Podcast Latino | christianpodcast.com

In a world where Hollywood often amplifies division, the faith-based film industry is reminding us that God's plans are bigger than any contract dispute. This week, the buzz around the upcoming animated musical David—the biblical epic about the shepherd boy who topples a giant—has hit an emotional peak. Dallas Jenkins, the visionary behind The Chosen, shared a raw, tear-streaked video on Instagram, quoting Job 1:21: "The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away." The project, once under his 5&2 Studios banner, has returned to Angel Studios for a blockbuster December release. But amid the heartbreak, there's profound peace—and a star-studded announcement from Phil Wickham that's got us all singing praises.On Christian Podcast Latino, we dove deep into this story, blending the drama of studio rivalries with the timeless truth that closed doors often lead to divine detours. If you've ever felt the sting of a dream deferred, this one's for you. Let's unpack it all.

The Backstory: From Goliath Dreams to Studio Drama

David isn't just another animated flick; it's a $61 million passion project from Slingshot Productions and South Africa's Sunrise Animation Studios. Co-directed by Phil Cunningham and Brent Dawes, the film reimagines King David's life as a high-stakes musical adventure—think The Prince of Egypt meets Moana, with heart-pounding faith, epic battles, and worship anthems that echo the Psalms.What started as a 20-year dream for Cunningham (a former farmer in Africa who built a world-class studio) exploded into crowdfunding history. Backed by over 6,000 investors, David raised a record-breaking $49.7 million—surpassing even The Chosen's Season 1 haul of $11 million—making it the most audience-funded media project ever. Angel Studios, fresh off hits like Sound of Freedom and The King of Kings, originally slated it for November 21, 2025.

Enter the plot twist: Legal wrangling ensued. Slingshot sued Angel in March 2025 over alleged contract breaches, terminating their deal by late 2024. In August, Jenkins' 5&2 Studios swooped in for global distribution, partnering with Slingshot to bring David to theaters in 2025. Jenkins was all in, raving about the script: "I didn’t expect to love this movie as much as I did, and when my wife read the script and had no notes, I knew we were onto something." He even envisioned it as the kickoff to more biblical collabs with Cunningham.

But on October 8, Angel reacquired full rights (film + a five-part Young David series) for $78 million alongside 2521 Entertainment, bumping it to December 19, 2025—and delaying their own Zero A.D. to 2026. No bad blood, though—Jenkins insists past beef with Angel (remember their 2023-2024 arbitration over The Chosen?) is settled.

Dallas' Heartbreak: "The Lord Gave, and the Lord Has Taken Away"

Jenkins' October 10 video is pure vulnerability—red eyes, shaky voice, 100% real. "There's nothing nefarious between Angel and us," he assures fans. "I really do have 100% peace about this. I believe that God dictates the steps in these situations." He admits his team would've taken more time for tweaks, while Angel's firepower (1.6M "Angel Guild" members) means a faster rollout. "It's not a Chosen project... and I'm okay with that. Genuinely."

On our podcast, we couldn't help but feel it: That mix of grief and grace. Beto pointed out Jenkins' weary eyes—like a man carrying The Chosen Season 5, spin-offs, and a Joseph of Egypt series on Prime Video. Mili nailed it: "God knows what He's doing. Maybe this plate was already too full." It's Job-level faith in action—blessing the Giver even when He takes.

Phil Wickham Steps In: The Voice (and Heart) of David

Just as the dust settled, October 17 brought joy: Grammy-nominated worship leader Phil Wickham revealed he's voicing adult David! Joined by Brandon Engman as young David, Wickham doesn't just narrate—he infuses the role with his signature artistry. "There are few men that have had a greater impact on my life than King David. His story, his songs, and his faith have shaped me deeply," Wickham shared. "What an honor to bring this character to life!"

Creator Cunningham agrees: "Phil embodies everything we hoped for—a warrior and worshiper with adventure, energy, strength, and vulnerability." Expect original tracks blending Wickham's hits like "This Is Amazing Grace" with fresh Psalms-inspired anthems. The trailer's new song, "Follow the Light," already has us hooked—perfect for families craving light in a dark media landscape.

Brandon Engman (a dancer and voice actor with credits in Belle) rounds out the youth arc, making David a full-circle tale of growth, from shepherd to king. It's no accident they chose Wickham—a Christian trailblazer—over a generic voice talent. As Beto said on the pod: "This shows faith-first casting. David's the original worship leader; Phil's the perfect echo."

A Biblical Renaissance: Why This Moment Matters

We're in a golden era for faith stories on screen. The Chosen has 200M+ views; Amazon's House of David topped charts; Angel's King of Kings shattered animated faith-box-office records. Two powerhouses—Angel and 5&2—"vying" for David? That's not rivalry; it's abundance. It signals Hollywood's hunger for unapologetic Bible tales. Next up: Sansón? Gideon? An updated Joseph? The Bible's got endless epics waiting.

But here's the real win: Unity amid competition. Jenkins cheers Cunningham on; Wickham honors his hero. As Mili reflected: "Creativity thrives when we divide the work well. Dallas knows his limits—God equips him with wisdom for what's next."

When God Closes a Door: Our Take and Yours

We wrapped our podcast with raw shares. Beto marveled at David's legacy as humanity's first "worship leader." Mili opened up about our own "closed doors"—two denied U.S. immigration attempts, now on round three. "It's out of our hands," she said. "God closes what He must, but Romans 8:28 turns it for good. He wants the best for us."

Jenkins models this beautifully: Disappointment, yes—but praise always. If David teaches anything, it's that true strength isn't in slinging stones, but trusting the Slinger.

What's your "closed door" story? A lost job? A shattered dream? Drop it in the comments—we read every one. And mark your calendars: David hits theaters December 19, 2025. Pre-order tickets via Angel Studios and let's make it a family outing that sparks faith talks.

Listen to the full episode on Christian Podcast Latino (Spotify, Apple, YouTube) for more laughs, tears, and theology. Subscribe to our newsletter at christianpodcast.com for weekly faith-pop culture drops. Share this post—beyond the algorithm, into hearts. God bless!