Jeff Daniels Debuts as Ronald Reagan in ‘Brink of War’ Trailer at CinemaCon
Angel Studios used CinemaCon in Las Vegas to showcase its upcoming slate. The presentation underscored the studio’s continued focus on theatrical releases.
CinemaCon reveal and Brink of War details
At CinemaCon, the studio unveiled a ‘Brink of War’ trailer. The footage marks Jeff Daniels’ first appearance as Ronald Reagan on film.
The drama centers on the tense 1986 nuclear summit. Jared Harris plays Mikhail Gorbachev opposite Daniels. J.K. Simmons and Hope Davis also appear. Michael Russell Gunn directs the film, produced by SK Global and 2521 Entertainment. The feature opens August 14.
Historical projects and the studio’s strategy
Angel is balancing faith-based fare with historical dramas. The studio hopes these films will perform well on the big screen.
Three years ago Angel scored a breakout hit with Sound of Freedom. That film reached roughly $250 million at the box office. The studio also had a strong holiday season with the animated Biblical film David. David grossed $85.8 million worldwide.
Young Washington and other period pieces
Angel released a first look at Young Washington. The film is due July 3 and stars William Franklyn-Miller as a young George Washington. Jon Erwin directs, with Kelsey Grammer, Mary-Louise Parker and Ben Kingsley in supporting roles.
Contemporary stories and other titles
On the modern front, Angel premiered a trailer for Runner. The film stars Alan Ritchson and Owen Wilson. Its plot centers on a man transporting a liver for a dying child while evading criminals. The script notes the organ can fetch about $1 million on the black market.
Runner drew headlines last year after Ritchson parted ways with his longtime manager following a set dispute.
Remaining 2026 slate
- Andy Serkis’ Animal Farm — May 1
- Young Washington — July 3
- Brink of War — August 14
- Drummer Boy — November 6
- Hershey (starring Finn Wittrock and Alexandra Daddario) — Thanksgiving
- Angel and the Badman (starring Tommy Lee Jones) — October
- Zero A.D. (director Alejandro Monteverde; Jim Caviezel, Sam Worthington, Ben Mendelsohn) — date TBA
These eight wide releases complete Angel’s lineup for the year. The offerings range from biblical epics to contemporary thrillers.
Studio outlook
Brandon Purdie, executive vice president and head of theatrical at Angel, spoke at CinemaCon. He said the 2026 slate celebrates the communal power of moviegoing. Filmogaz.com attended the presentation and noted the studio’s push to keep films flowing to theaters.
