Joel Smallbone of For KING & COUNTRY is expanding his acting repertoire with a lead role in Young Washington, a historical drama that casts him alongside a high-profile duo: Sir Ben Kingsley, known for Gandhi and Schindler’s List, and Andy Serkis of The Lord of the Rings fame. Production on the film, which chronicles the early years of George Washington, is set to begin later in August.
In the film, Smallbone portrays William Fairfax, described as a crafty aristocrat and a friend-turned-rival who moves comfortably through the British upper class. The casting signals a blend of contemporary faith-based filmmaking sensibilities with a big-screen historical narrative.
“Grateful beyond measure (and sort of mind blown) to be joining Ben Kingsley and Andy Serkis in Young Washington, which chronicles the early years of George Washington,” Smallbone wrote on Instagram. He added, “Bringing chapters of history to the screen is something that me and my brothers have always been moved by… we grew up on Lord of the Rings and Gladiator and The Patriot. It can be powerful to look back on earlier times… sometimes one has to know where you’ve been to where you’re going… even as a nation and world.”
The project is being steered by Jon Erwin, co-founder of Wonder Project, known for faith-infused hits like Jesus Revolution and I Can Only Imagine, who is directing the film. This follows Smallbone’s previous foray into cinema, where he portrayed his father in a family biopic about moving seven children from Australia to the United States, a story that highlighted the hardships the family endured before several siblings found success in Christian music.
This collaboration brings together a mix of historical drama, epic storytelling, and a faith-oriented production team, signaling a film that could appeal to both history enthusiasts and faith-fiction audiences. Kingsley and Serkis’ involvement adds heft to the cast, suggesting a watch-listworthy ensemble that could draw broad attention despite the project still being in early development.
What this means for audiences: Young Washington promises to offer a vivid look at the complexities of George Washington’s early years, seen through the perspective of a dramatic, aristocratic rival. For Smallbone fans, it marks a notable step into larger-scale film roles beyond music, while continuing a creative thread his family has pursued in bringing personal and national histories to the screen. If the production maintains momentum, the film could become a standout title in historical drama with cross-genre appeal.
Summary note: A high-profile cast, a notable director, and a story about America’s formative years position Young Washington as a potentially significant entry in upcoming historical cinema, with positive momentum for both the project and Joel Smallbone’s acting career.