A coming-of-age feature film set in 1990s South Texas is in development, according to the Rio Grande Guardian. The movie, titled Popcorn Prophets, is directed by Nate Boyer, a former U.S. Army Special Forces soldier and filmmaker. It was written by Reynaldo Leal, a Rio Grande Valley native and U.S. Marine Corps veteran, and draws on his upbringing in the Borderplex area.
The story follows 16-year-old Jonah, who lives with his mother after his father's death. Jonah begins skipping Sunday church services to watch matinee movies at a local theater, which leads his family to face grief, truth and faith, the report said. Boyer said the film aims to show the resilience of young people in communities that are often overlooked in mainstream media.
The production team includes co-producers Robert Longoria and Ivan Lizarde and coordinating producer Lee Perez-Gonzalez. The team is seeking tax-deductible donations and regional sponsorships through Film Independent to begin principal photography. Production timelines and casting updates are expected in the coming months.