The Masked Saint, the movie is in theaters January 8, 2016. Faith & Fitness Magazine invites you to take a closer look into the lives of two key players in this movie: Brett Granstaff, the producer and main character and Pastor Chris Whaley, the person on whom the book and movie are based.
This 3-page article begins with an introduction to the movie, followed by (page 2) an interview with Granstaff and concluding (page 3) with the Whaley interview. See how both connect personal Christian faith with physical fitness and consider how each personally interprets the theme message of this issue, “PAUSE/PLAY”.
[This is page 1 in a three-page article. Be sure to read all three pages.]
The Movie:
Masked Saint revolves around the life of Chris Samuels (Brett Granstaff, “Set Up”, “Vice”), a professional wrestler and family man who realizes he needs something more. His calling to become a pastor prompts him to retire from wrestling and move with his wife (Lara Jean Chorostecki, “Hannibal”, and “Copper”) and daughter (T.J. McGibbon, “Lucky 7”) to a small town. Yet the battles he faced in the ring are minor compared to the challenges he must overcome at his new church. From an overbearing congregant (Patrick McKenna, “The Rick Mercer Report”, and “Red Green Show”) and failing attendance to mounting bills for church repairs, Samuels has his hands full.
Samuels finds an ally in Miss Edna (Diahann Carroll, “White Collar”, “Dynasty”), an elderly woman who gives him sage advice and shares her wisdom in a book of writings. Unbeknownst to him, she is also a wrestling fan and encourages him to use his talents to take action tricking him into reconnecting with his old colleagues including a shady wrestling promoter (Roddy Piper, “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia”, “WWE Smackdown”). Afterwards, when Samuels stumbles onto a fight on the seedy side of town, his wrestling skills take down the assailant and a masked vigilante is born.
In order to raise some funds, Samuels returns to the ring professionally, and things begin to seemingly improve for the church. His life as a pastor and wrestler soon take up most of his time though – not to mention Samuels’ shrouded crime fighter is now being sought by the police. His talent, as well as his violent secret identity, begins to overshadow his calling as a Pastor and it takes his faith, family and Miss Edna to remind him about grace, goodness and the truth.
[Continue to the next page for the Brett Granstaff interview.]
