How THE FIRING SQUAD Reignited This Actor’s Faith

Published: August 5, 2024

How THE FIRING SQUAD Reignited This Actor’s Faith

By Movieguide® Contributor

Cuba Gooding Jr. says his role in his latest movie, THE FIRING SQUAD, helped him rediscover his faith in God.

“It uncloaked again a renowned faith I have in God and the walk I have with Him. And it announced to the world don’t forget who this kid is and where he is from,” Gooding Jr. told CBN of his role in the movie.

He continued, “It’s one thing to say that you believe in God and say that you walk in faith. But, it is another thing to remind people exactly where my joy comes from. My mom said to me in the darkest time, she said son never let them take your joy. And that is the one thing that I insist on, as crazy as things get, I just got to keep smiling, because this is who I am.”

THE FIRING SQUAD is “based on the true story of three Christian prisoners who face execution in a third world country and how their joy in Christ results in a stunning conclusion,” per IMDb.

A portion of the Movieguide® review for THE FIRING SQUAD reads:

Based on a true story, THE FIRING SQUAD stars Kevin Sorbo as an American prisoner on death row in an Indonesia prison who becomes a prison pastor and ministers to two new prisoners, played by James Barrington and Cuba Gooding, Jr., who are also sentenced to die. The low budget sometimes hurts THE FIRING SQUAD, but the movie’s terrific ending packs an emotional punch and shows the redemptive power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

“Tim Chey wrote, produced and directed this movie,” Gooding Jr. shared. “Tim Chey also produced a movie I did called FREEDOM. We shot that movie and at the end of it, Tim and I had a connection and he said I am doing this new movie and it’s going to be a bit, but when I get it, I am going to send it to you. I said, send me anything. Thirteen years later, he sends me this.”

The actor continued, “He said, it’s the true story of these three Americans who find each other in an Indonesian prison and they’ve been sentenced to death by firing squad. And I want you to play one of these prisoners. I read it, and I wept and wept at the end of it.”

Gooding Jr. also spoke about how his faith has strengthened over the years.

“It’s funny because you get to a certain age and you start to reflect. I hit 50 six years ago, so I am 56. You look back and you learn from all of the good and the bad,” he explained. “I wake up every morning and I say, ‘Thine will be done,’ along with several other prayers. But, I know that God put me here, with the instrument He gave me to show through emotion.”

He continued, “I have to know that I am here to express truth. You see headlines. You see things that aren’t truthful. It hurts. But I know that God has a plan for me. As long as I stay on His journey and I pray His will is done, then I am fine. I can’t worry about the other stuff.”

Speaking about THE FIRING SQUAD to Newswire, Gooding Jr. shared his hopes for the message viewers take away from the movie — “That He is not going anywhere. That He is there, and He’ll be there. Even in the darkest moment, even in the afterlife, He’s there for you…no matter what you’re going through…God is with you.”