CONTACT: Shanon Stowe
931-307-1988; shanon@iconmediagroup.com

Charlotte, NC (February 29, 2016) –Academy Award-winning actor Louis Gossett, Jr. (An Officer and a Gentleman) will star in the faith-based movie THE REASON, an adaptation of the bestselling novel by William Sirls. BroadStreet Publishing will re-release The Reason in July.

The Reason, Sirls’ first novel, was originally slated to release via Westbow Press, the self- publishing arm of Thomas Nelson, before it caught the attention of a Thomas Nelson executive. The publisher added it to its traditional catalogue and released it in 2012 to critical acclaim. Publishers Weekly wrote, “This is a skillfully-written first novel, with the narrative voice, knack for dialogue, and plot movement of a veteran author."

Sirls later purchased back the rights to the original manuscript and opted to re-release with BroadStreet this summer.

“The original ending for The Reason left me feeling unsettled for some time,” said Sirls. “After prayer and contemplation, I decided to re-write the story in a way I believe will resonate with readers in a deeply personal way. I hope existing fans of the book will dive into this story again, and discover a new truth waiting for them.”

On why he wrote The Reason, Sirls said, “As my faith grew during a very dark time in my own life, I became anxious to share the things I learned about grace and forgiveness. One way was to write and sprinkle them among the characters in a story.”

The screenplay was co-written by Aviv Rubinstein, William Sirls, and Richard Clark, Jr.

Ken Sirls will executive produce and finance the project. Richard Clark, Jr., Paige Collins, Alan Powell, Derrick J. Simcox and Jennifer Willingham are producing. Randall Stevens will direct.

THE REASON stars Gossett, Jr., Beverly Todd (The Bucket List) Tatyana Ali (“Fresh Prince of Bel-Air”), Kelly Carlson (“Nip/Tuck”), Alan Powell (The Song), Burgess Jenkins (“Nashville”, “The Young and The Restless”), Sara Antonio (“House of Cards”) and Jessejames Locorriere (Ant-Man).

Gossett, Jr. was the first African American male actor to win an Oscar in a supporting role; he was also recognized with a Golden Globe Award for The Josephine Baker Story and an Emmy Award for Roots. He presented at the 88th Academy Awards on Sunday evening, Feb 28th.

About the Author: Once a senior vice president in a large investment firm, William Sirls was incarcerated in 2007 for wire fraud and money laundering. Life lessons involving faith, grace, and forgiveness are evident in his writing. He is the author of the bestselling novel The Reason, soon to be a major motion picture, and also The Sinners' Garden. William makes his home in southern California and you can reach him at WilliamSirls.com.