Courageous

, the widely anticipated follow-up from the makers of the hit movie Fireproof, will release in theaters nationwide Sept. 30, 2011.

The Sherwood Pictures film will debut on around 800 screens on the same opening weekend as 2008's Fireproof and its 2006 predecessor, Facing the Giants.

"It's a good weekend for the faith-based audience because churches have been back in session long enough to rally around the film opening, and it's good time of the year for the booksellers to be involved," Kris Fuhr, vice president at Provident Films, co-producers with Sony Pictures' Affirm Films division, told Christian Retailing.

While previous Sherwood films have been distributed to theaters by Samuel Goldwyn Films, Courageous will be handled by TriStar Pictures. "A decision was made that the brand of Sherwood Pictures is strong enough now that it has a place with the Sony releasing organization," Fuhr said.

The opening has been scheduled to avoid competition from summer blockbuster releases and ensure long theatrical runs. "We looked very closely at how previous movies did," said Fuhr. "Six weeks after opening, Fireproof was still showing in 85% of theaters."

As with Fireproof, communities in which a theater run is not planned will be able to bring the movie to the area by forming an action club and guaranteeing 1,000 ticket sales, she added.

A rough cut of Courageous, which addresses fatherhood through the lives of four police officers, has been completed and is being shown to groups of church leaders. Advance screenings are also planned for retail groups.

Click here for more information on Courageous.

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