William Franklyn-Miller will be cutting down the cherry tree.
In a potential breakthrough role, the 21 year old up-and-comer has nabbed the starring role of Young Washington, a feature origin story of sorts of America’s first president being made by faith-based powerhouses Wonder Project and Angel Studios.
The project will directed by Wonder Project founder and House of David creator Jon Erwin, who also co-wrote the script with Tom Provost and Diederik Hoogstraten.
Erwin will produce the film with Chip Diggins. Wonder is joined on the production side by 10 Ton Productions, led by Benton Crane, and 2521 Entertainment, led by Tyler Zacharia. Angel will distribute worldwide.
The chronicle of the future politician and general begins with his mistake attacking a patrol that triggers the French and Indian War, forcing the ambitious 22-year-old Washington to face his failures and find the courage to become the leader that will forge a nation.
“With Young Washington, I am honored to be able to show a modern audience what it felt like to be George Washington during such an early and pivotal time in his life: his ambition, his heartbreak, his failures and the events that drove him to become the revered figure we all know,” said Erwin in a statement. “William is absolutely the actor to bring this role to life. He’s an incredible talent, and I am ecstatic to have him playing the title character in our film.”
Production is to being later this summer with a theatrical release set for the July 4th weekend, 2026.
Earlier this month, in an industry first, tickets were made available for purchase via Angel’s proprietary ticketing platform one year in advance of the release and before the film has shot a single frame. Users can still purchase tickets and change the date and time of their ticket closer to premiere.
Franklyn-Miller appeared on an episode of Australian soap Neighbours and two episodes of CW series Arrow, plus did a short stint on Netflix drama Medici.
His new projects have a higher profile. Franklyn-Miller currently filming a recurring role in the Apple TV/Skydance sci-fi series Neuromancer alongside Callum Turner and Mark Strong. And he will next be seen starring in the big-budget Chinese production Dongji Rescue, a big-budget war drama that tells of the true-life rescue of hundreds of British servicemen by Chinese fisherman during World War Two.
Frankly-Miller is repped by United Agents, Entertainment360, and Goodman Genow.