Aspen Kennedy made his first starring role as Isaiah Wright in the Kendrick Brothers’ new film, The Forge. Set in Charlotte, North Carolina, the movie is about 19-year-old Isaiah Wright, a year out of high school with no plans for his future. Isaiah’s mother, played by Priscilla Shirer, challenged him to chart a better course for his life in the film. Through that mentorship and relationship, God sends successful businessman Joshua Moore, played by Cameron Arnett, to pour into him and introduce him to himself as God sees him.
The movie is Kennedy’s first starring role. The Memphis native acting resume is impressive, including appearances in the OWN TV series, Queen Sugar, Tyler Perry’s Ruthless, BET’s Kingdom Business, and Keyshia Cole’s This Is My Story.
“The script was so beautifully written that it resonated with me on a personal level. I saw so much of myself in it, and I felt truly understood when I read the script,” Kennedy said.
After reading the script, Kennedy asked the Lord for guidance and direction on how to express himself through his heart in a way that would resonate with viewers when they watched the film.
Aspen Kennedy, featured role in Queen Sugar as the Supplier; Courtesy of Harpo Productions/OWN Network
For the 29-year-old actor, who grew up without his father and was raised by a single mother, the film also made sense. God revealed to him that he was always present, even during a period in his life years ago, when he yearned to forgive his father, only to encounter this scenario years later, as depicted in the life of Isaiah.
“I’m like God; you can’t make this stuff up,” he said, highlighting God’s sovereignty through his character portrayal and the film.
Kennedy remarked that working on set for his first significant role was an enjoyable experience due to the positive energy, camaraderie, harmony, and unity he felt. The cast were tired, yet they reached a juncture where they remained steadfast in the shared mission, making it a profound blessing for Kennedy to witness on the set.
L-R: Priscilla Shirer, Aspen Kennedy, and Moderator, Jawn Murray (Executive Producer of Sherri), at the National Association for Black Journalist (NABJ) panel discussion in Chicago; Courtesy of Front Page Firm
“I believe it was the second month of filming. We had some overnight shoots from 4:00 PM to 4:00 AM, but no one lost joy. Nobody lost the sense of it,” Kennedy said.
Aspen Kennedy
“Everybody is doing moving parts, but it’s just like we’re here for one reason, and at the same time, we’re not at the center of it. This is about God. The Lord came first, and the work came second, but they kept the Lord first, and you truly felt that experience,”
Kennedy wants viewers to take away the forgiveness element from the film. His character struggled with forgiveness, harboring resentment, anger, and bitterness. Kennedy elaborated further, stating that forgiveness becomes available when we let go and concentrate on Jesus, giving us freedom and full access to God. He also shared with the Exclusive Press (EP) the importance of prayer in overcoming life’s challenges and the significance of discipleship. In addition, he stressed unity in the community, sharing with the EP that no one is alone and can turn to others for support and guidance.
Overall, Kennedy praised the Kendrick Brothers for conveying a very powerful message about who God is if we step into His presence and transformative power. He also shared the film’s impact on his life.
“It took me to a deeper and higher relational way of understanding who God is,” he stated.
The film is entertaining but also conveys the message of God’s unwavering presence and promise to never leave or forsake us.
VISIT WWW.THEFORGEMOVIE.COM TO PURCHASE TICKETS, PLAYING AT A THEATER NEAR YOU.
