Cast and crew of “The Hail Mary” reunited Jan. 9 for a homecoming-style press conference at the Bethlehem Catholic High School auditorium, greeted by the school’s marching band and varsity cheerleaders.

WAEB-790’s Bobby Gunther Walsh opened the event and introduced Bethlehem native and Becahi graduate Daniel Roebuck, who stars in and wrote and produced the film.

Roebuck announced red-carpet premieres Feb. 21 at 11 a.m. at Frank Banko Alehouse Cinemas, 3 p.m. at Bethlehem Catholic High School, and 7 p.m. at the Roxy Theatre in Northampton. Trans-Bridge Lines will transport the cast, with Yocco’s Hot Dogs and Markee Wealth Management serving as sponsors. A commemorative program will be available.

The film opens theatrically Feb. 27 at the Boyertown State Theatre, Frank Banko Alehouse Cinemas and the Roxy. Roebuck hinted at additional venues, saying the movie “will be going somewhere else that brings me joy,” though a Shankweiler’s Drive-In showing is not yet confirmed.

Roebuck also unveiled the movie poster featuring himself, Sister Kathy, football players and a stadium crowd. A veteran actor with 292 IMDb credits, Roebuck has appeared in films such as “The Fugitive,” “Final Destination” and “The Munsters,” and TV series including “Matlock,” “Lost” and “Glee.” More recently, he has focused on faith-based films through A Channel of Peace productions.

Visibly emotional, Roebuck thanked the cast and crew, recalling filming that began in summer 2021. “It’s like we’ve come back from war. They all grew up,” he said of the student actors. He also remembered Alice Freeh of Center Valley, a longtime Bethlehem Catholic theater director who died in November 2021.

“She did so much here at Beca,” he said.

Hawk Hill Pictures partnered with A Channel of Peace on the project. “We don’t just make movies. We teach people how to make movies,” Roebuck noted.

The title references the long-odds football play, a metaphor for the film’s story. In the movie, Jake (Roebuck) is persuaded by Sister Kathy (Marsha Dietlein) to organize troubled boys into a football team. Sister Kathy hopes not just to build a team, but to save Jake, a “lost soul who needs redemption.” As she says in the trailer, “I wanted to win a soul.”

The audience viewed the trailer, which showcases local bands, the Bethlehem Catholic football team and cheerleaders, and the Bethlehem Area School District Stadium. Cast members discussed filming challenges, including overnight football scenes. “The Liberty High School football team would leave the field about 9 p.m. and then we’d move on … until the sun came out,” Roebuck said.

Actor Joey Draper of Lower Macungie Township recalled having to pause filming when trains passed at 3 a.m. Roebuck also shared lighter moments, noting that a scene scripted for rain was filmed during an actual downpour. When told he must have “an ‘in’ with Jesus,” he joked, “I named the film after his Mother!”

Roebuck called the movie a tribute to religious sisters, recalling his own encouragement from Sister Kathleen.

“This movie is my love letter to religious sisters,” he said. “The heart of the church is the nuns.”

A montage highlighted Lehigh Valley locations used in filming, many of which have since changed or disappeared.

“Once films are made, they are forever,” Roebuck said.

Tickets for the premiere are available by texting T23134 to 49514 for a link or at runsignup.com/TicketEvent/TheHailMaryMoviePremiere.