Published: April 15, 2025 -- Sony Pictures Entertainment’s AFFIRM Films has dated their newest film, Soul on Fire, inspired by the miraculous life of John O’Leary, for theatres nationwide on October 10, 2025.

From director Sean McNamara (Reagan, Soul Surfer), the film is inspired by the true story and 2016 bestselling book On Fire by John O’Leary. O’Leary’s story begins with his miraculous recovery from a near-death accident when he was 9 years old.

Given no chance of survival, John endures an unbelievable road to recovery with the support of his family, faith, community, and the kindness of his all-time idol, Baseball Hall of Fame Announcer Jack Buck. Grateful for his miracle and shaped by life’s struggles, John’s mission to better the world inspires millions to do the extraordinary.

The film stars William H. Macy (Fargo, Marmaduke), John Corbett (My Big Fat Greek Wedding, All Saints), Joel Courtney (Jesus Revolution, Super 8), DeVon Franklin (Jesus Revolution, Woodlawn), Masey McLain (The Baxters), and Stephanie Szostak (A Million Little Things).

The film’s screenplay was adapted from the book by Gregory Poirier. The producers include J. Todd Harris, Margaret French Isaac, David Brookwell, and Sean McNamara. The executive producers are Linda Blum Huntington, John O’Leary, Michael Riney, Quirsis Riney, Terry Schnuck, and Gregory Poirier. Amy Powers and Toni Farina serve as co-producers.

“We’ve followed John’s developing story for years, and when the call came in from Sean McNamara about the opportunity to partner together again, we jumped in. The life-changing elements of this story are what we look for at AFFIRM and what our audiences connect to so enthusiastically,” said Rich Peluso, head of AFFIRM Films.

The book that inspired this film, On Fire: The 7 Choices to Ignite a Radically Inspired Life (https://amzn.to/4iindIT), became an instant #1 national bestseller in 2016. The book was translated into 12 languages for international readers.