Actor Sam Worthington Talks about His Role in "The Shack"—Movie Based on the Extraordinary Book—Which Opens Friday

News Staff : Mar 2, 2017
TheShack.Movie

"The movie says that you're not alone.  You know, you can always take a moment to reach out to God.  And no matter what you've done or what you're going through, God will love you. Unconditionally.  And you can use that to guide yourself through these, this dark time.  And it—it may not happen all at once, you may not feel ... release, the burden taken off you at once; but you're on your way." -Sam Worthington 

[Motive Entertainment] Ten years ago WM. Paul Young introduced us to "The Shack" a story that unpacks the goodness and graciousness of God in the midst of suffering. Hearts were turned and souls were enriched as we watched Mack's journey to soul reconciliation following the murder of his young daughter. Throughout his journey, we watch a man filled with bitterness towards God have his heart softened as God is revealed to him through the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit. (Movie Poster)

On March 3, 2017, the story of "The Shack" will be told in an all-new way, hitting theaters nationwide. With over 29 million trailer views, the film is gearing up to be one of the top releases for this spring. It is our hope and prayer that this film will be a catalyst for the local church—a tool that you can use to engage those in your world who have yet to respond to the Gospel.

"The Shack" opens in U.S. theaters nationwide on Friday, March 3rd.

Actor Sam Worthington plays the leading character of "Mack" in the movie. Below is an excerpt of an interview with him about his work on "The Shack." (Click here to watch a video interview with Sam Worthington)

What was the key message of the film?

SW: I think there's several messages, one of them is forgiveness.  This is a man that struggles with such pain, you know, with what's happening to his life and his family.  And he has to learn how to forgive the people that have done that to him, he has to learn how to forgive God and reconnect with his faith, and eventually he has to learn how to forgive himself, in order to get through and- and lead a more positive life. 

How do you feel the film relates to today's struggles?

SW: We're all looking for a little hope, you know, the world is tumultuous.  And, um, we're all looking for something and we sometimes all feel a bit all alone, even though there's billions of people on the planet.  And we're all a bit disconnected and I think that, you know, believing in God and believing in the love that He has and—can all be united by something can, you know, help us on our way.

What is it like working with Octavia?

SW: ...Octavia has such poise, such warmth, she's extremely prepared.  Which is great because then you can just you feel safe, she's great. 

What does the movie say to someone going through great sadness?

SW: The movie says that you're not alone.  You know, you can always take a moment to reach out to God.  And no matter what you've done or what you're going through, God will love you. Unconditionally.  And you can use that to guide yourself through these, this dark time.  And it—it may not happen all at once, you may not feel ... release, the burden taken off you at once; but you're on your way.
 
What about the Holy Spirit? 

SW: It's a great character, because it opens Mack up, that's one of those ones of sometimes the answers you don't understand.  But you can garner something from it that can help you.  As he says, when they're in the garden, the garden is Mack, twisted and ugly and confused.  But she sees the beauty in that. And he can't see it and it's later on he starts to unravel what that character is saying.  So it's a, that's a weird twisted logic that, you know, we often get confused about in our thoughts.  And that's where praying helps.  Because it can untangle all that.  And we can see the beauty.

How did working on the movie impact your faith?

SW: I think a lot of  the questions that Mack had I had at that time in my life.  You know, you explored them enough and you're doing so many countless takes of exploring them.  I may not have the answers to why does God let these things happen, but the book, the script, the experience has given me foresight to know there's something bigger than all of that and bigger than me in it.  Um, and to embrace that. 

I think even though the movie is quite painful and quite emotional, I think it's a hopeful film.  No matter how dark the days get, you can come out the other side and—and—and with great tools behind you and the support and love of God I think ... that's a great message.  So I hope that's what audiences take away with them.

Click here to watch the official trailer for "The Shack" movie.