Vanished: Left Behind the Next Generation is a 2016 Christian thriller film based loosely on Left Behind: The Kids. Unlike the series, the film involves a new story-line and new characters. It was directed by Larry A. McLean and theatrically released as a limited one-day on September 28, 2016 to select theaters. The film stars Amber Frank, Mason Dye, Dylan Sprayberry, and Tom Everett Scott. Instead of Cloud Ten Pictures or Stoney Lake Entertainment, this film is produced by Echolight Studios, Salt Entertainment Group, and Triple Horse Studios.
Premise[]
After a billion people vanish, Gabby, a 15-year-old girl, suddenly has to take care of her little sister. Gabby, her sister, and two teens vying for her attention try to figure out what happened as they survive in a new world.
Cast[]
Characters from the book series:
- Randy LaHaye as Nicolae Carpathia
- William Gabriel Greer as Bruce Barnes
- Dr. Tony Evans as Vernon Billings
New characters:
- Amber Montana as Gabby Harlow
- Dylan Sprayberry as Flynn
- Mason Dye as Josh Jackson
- Keely Wilson as Claire Harlow
- Tom Everett Scott as Damon
- Jackson Hurst as Eric Harlow
- Brigid Brannagh as Sarah
- Rachel Hendrix as Rachel
- Nick Caruso as Eugene
- William Mark McCullough as Dwayne
- Chip Lane as Rex Hargrove
Production[]
In the September 2016 issue of Faith Filled Family Magazine, Randy LaHaye gave an interview and said that he was actually inspired by the Twilight vampire movie series in saying: "While I was watching Twilight, God gave me the idea to use those kids books and take some points out of them. I would create a brand new, fresh, YA version of Left Behind so that it could really speak to today's kids."
His grandfather Tim LaHaye was able to see a screening of the film before his passing and Randy reflected by saying "One of the proudest moments of my life was when my grandfather saw the movie and told me afterwards, "Finally, there's a movie about Left Behind that captured what made the books so successful."
Echolight might have went out of business just after September 2016 as this is the last time they were active on their Twitter page with their last tweet promoting this film. Salt Entertainment Group is presumably defunct as well while Triple Horse appears to be still in business with their most recent film release in 2021.
Possible sequels[]
At least two sequels were discussed with the working titles Rise of the Deceiver and The Rebellion Awakens. Rise of the Deceiver was expected to start filming in 2017 but it has since been delayed indefinitely. Randy LaHaye would have reprised his role as Nicolae Carpathia. LaHaye envisioned seven films leading up to the second coming of Jesus. Their current progress is unknown and likely have been cancelled.
Trivia[]
- This is the first Left Behind film to not be connected to Cloud Ten Pictures
- With an estimated budget of $2,000,000, this is the cheapest film adaptation to be made when compared with the other four.
- This film was released two years after the 2014 reboot and though they not connected, they could be seen as parallel as to the events of the Rapture.
- On Gabby’s phone, the date 05/06 is shown meaning that in this adaptation, the rapture occurred on May 6th.
- This film was dedicated to Tim LaHaye after his passing on July 25th, 2016 at the age of 90.
- Bruce Barnes was the only member of the Tribulation Force that appeared in this movie.
- Instead of VHS tapes, the church gave out USB drives for computers which contained the video of Vernon Billings. For the copy the kids have, it was re-recorded from a laptop to play on a cellphone.
- For Nicolae’s speech, Randy LaHaye came up with his own dialogue inspired by speeches given by President Obama at the UN.
- In an interview he expressed a unique plot element for Nicolae explaining why his version of the character didn’t speak in a Romanian accent. The concept which would be explored in a sequel involves a supernatural ability for the listeners to hear him in their own native language and dialect.
- This is currently the only film in the Left Behind franchise to be inspired by the Left Behind: The Kids series.
Trailer[]