The creator of a popular Angel Studios animated series says the “follow your heart” theme of many modern children’s movies is not biblical and is also harmful to children.
J. Chris Wall, the creator and executive producer of The Wingfeather Saga, said his series reminds children that their purpose in life is found in God and their family. Season 1 of the series launched on Angel platforms last year and has been streamed more than 7 million times.
The fantasy-based series is based on the bestselling children’s books by Christian singer/author Andrew Peterson.
Wall said the series tells children not to “follow your heart.”
“Our culture right now tells us that kids can learn their identity and who they are in the world, in their own selves – and in fact, individually apart from their families. And we just don't believe that's true,” Wall told Christian Headlines. “And so in our story, these kids find their identity and their purpose in life through their family, through their community, and ultimately, the Creator that made them. What's the purpose that He has for them?
“And that's something they'll wrestle with the entire seven seasons of Wingfeather is: what I'm called to be, what I'm supposed to do, and what I may be told in my own heart [which is] something else, which may not lead to good conclusions.”
The series features the voices of Jodi Benson (The Little Mermaid), Henry Ian Cusick (Lost, The 100) and Kevin McNally (Pirates of the Caribbean).
Season 2 of The Wingfeather Saga, Wall said, will include more action.
“Season 1 set the foundation for characters, the world, the story, but it was all kind of contained within one little township on the edge of the sea,” Wall said. “[In] Season 2, we're on the run, trying to flee from pursuing enemies -- and so new characters, new lands, new spectacle, frankly. It starts with a bang. We take all the energy of the epic battle near the end of the first season and go right into it out of the gate. There is more peril. We think that's what makes the story mean a lot is that there is danger in the world and consequences for choices.”
Wall added, “Through the lens of our storytelling, we’re going to kind of enforce family values that you all are experiencing. And so we've heard a lot of families say, hey, that's like my family.”
Brock Starnes, another executive producer, says the series has helped bring families together.
“One of the things that we've loved seeing is when families get to watch it together and the experiences that are created when multi-generations come together and experience this. We've got young kids, middle-grade kids, old kids coming together with their parents and their extended family to experience Wingfeather Saga,” Starnes told Christian Headlines. “We see that with the books, and we now see that with the show, and that's been really exciting.”
Photo courtesy: ©Angel Studios, used with permission.
Michael Foust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His stories have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, The Christian Post, the Leaf-Chronicle, the Toronto Star and the Knoxville News-Sentinel.
