Billy: The Early Years

Billy The Early Years is a 2008 American biographical film, directed by Robby Benson. The film recounts the story of the worldrenowned evangelist, Billy Graham, played by Armie Hammer, creating a portrayal of Billys life from the mid1930s to the late 1940s when Billy Graham finds himself speaking in his famous Los Angeles crusade. World Wide Pictures, the film distribution and production company that was created by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association BGEA, did not in any way help with the production of this film. After almost a year and a half of a delayed DVD release, Billy The Early Years was released on DVD on March 16, 2010.

Screenwriterproducer McKay, and producer Larry Mortoff, had originally wanted Texas Televangelist and Preacher John Hagee to play the part of Mordecai Ham in the film however, director Robby Benson replaced him with another actor. Recent to the filming of Billy The Early Years, John Hagee had endorsed the 2008 Republican Presidential Candidate John McCain.In order to find the actor who would take the role of Billy Graham, the films producers held a national talent search in Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco. Armie Hammer convinced the films producers to give him the role with his audition, after another actor, who had originally been given the part, left the project due to a conflict in their schedule. ........

Source: Wikipedia