‘Reagan’s’ Long And Winding Road To Success

A new biopic of President Ronald Reagan has earned nearly $10 million since premiering and clocked a 98% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, exceeding expectations for the film’s success.

But this success was hardly a foregone conclusion. “Reagan,” directed by Sean McNamara and starring Dennis Quaid as the 40th president, hit several roadblocks on its way to the silver screen. First, the coronavirus pandemic, and then Hollywood strikes derailed production, and delayed the film’s premiere.

Looking back, McNamara sees these delays as “providential.”

“This film…was never intended to come out in an election year,” McNamara told The Daily Wire. “But now, in the wake of recent events, the film feels more urgent and relevant. Watching it today, especially with the backdrop of the recent assassination attempt and campus protests, it’s clear that history has a way of repeating itself. Reagan’s story, and his message, is one that we need to hear right now.”

“Reagan” follows the titular president from his childhood and Hollywood career through his time in politics. Told from the perspective of a fictional KGB agent, portrayed by Jon Voight, the film is based on Paul Kengor’s 2006 book, “The Crusader: Ronald Reagan and the Fall of Communism.”

There was another fortuitous result of “Reagan’s” delayed premiere. Sailors aboard the USS Ronald Reagan — who would have been deployed supporting operations including the withdrawal from Afghanistan at the time of the original premiere — were instead able to see the film and meet with McNamara and Voight at a special screening within their hangar bay.

“This was an incredible Reagan moment aboard USS Ronald Reagan,” Capt. Harry Evans III, Executive Officer of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, told The Daily Wire. “We pride ourselves in keeping President Reagan’s legacy alive by upholding the highest standards in everything we do.”

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Chief Operations Specialist (Select) Shaun Jacob echoed the significance of the moment, calling it a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity…to learn more about President Reagan’s history.”

The opportunity to share “Reagan” with the sailors was a personal highlight for McNamara.

“It was amazing,” he told The Daily Wire.

“I voted for Reagan in my first election, and to come full circle by creating this film and sharing it with those who serve on a ship bearing his name — it was a profound experience.”

Voight, a passionate defender of Reagan’s legacy, told The Daily Wire that the 40th president “believed in the strength of the American spirit” who “led by that example.”

“Every part of our history deserves and needs heroes,” Voight said. “John Paul II was a hero of that time. Reagan was a hero. Margaret Thatcher was a hero in my eyes. All lived and led and worked together during that dark time. And what is a hero? A hero stands up against lies and deceit and evil behavior.”

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Voight also commented on the fortuitous timing of the film’s delayed release coinciding with a period of heightened political tension.

“It’s remarkable how history seems to echo itself,” he said. “With the current political climate and recent events, including the attempted assassination of President Trump and the ongoing student protests, the film’s portrayal of Reagan’s leadership and resilience resonates deeply. It reminds us of the importance of courage and conviction in the face of adversity.”

Voight told The Daily Wire he hopes that “Reagan” will inspire a renewed sense of patriotism in a divided country.

“This movie isn’t just about looking back at Reagan’s presidency; it’s about inspiring us to look forward with hope and unity,” Voight said. “Reagan’s legacy is a testament to the power of leadership and the need for each of us to rise above our differences and work together for a better future.”

“Ronald Reagan’s story is not just about one man’s journey—it’s about the soul of America,” Voight added. “And right now, America needs to remember who we are and what we stand for.”