Sean McNamara to Write and Direct Faith-Based Drama “Blank Canvas,” Adapted From Marcy Gregg Memoir

Sean McNamara, the filmmaker behind the faith-adjacent projects “Reagan” and “Soul Surfer,” is attached to write and direct the faith-based drama “Blank Canvas,” according to an exclusive report from Deadline published Monday. The project is described as a screen adaptation of a memoir authored by Marcy Gregg.

Deadline reports that “Blank Canvas” is based on the 2022 memoir “Blank Canvas,” also credited to Gregg. The article states that the film’s synopsis begins with Gregg at age 30, though additional storyline specifics beyond that opening framing were not included in the excerpted description.

McNamara is developing the film as part of his company Brookwell McNamara Entertainment, which is listed by Deadline as the current development home for the project. The announcement does not provide production start dates, casting timelines, or distribution plans.

The news continues a pattern in McNamara’s filmography that blends mainstream cinematic storytelling with themes often associated with faith communities. Deadline identifies him as the filmmaker behind “Reagan” and “Soul Surfer,” both of which are cited as relevant qualifications for the new development role.

“Blank Canvas” is positioned by Deadline as a faith-based drama, a category that can affect how studios and networks evaluate audience reach, content standards, and promotional strategy. The announcement does not name a specific studio partner or streaming outlet, nor does it outline whether the film will follow a traditional theatrical release, cable, or streaming rollout.

The report also does not indicate whether the memoir’s author, Marcy Gregg, will have a creative role beyond the underlying source material, or whether the production will involve faith organizations, publishers, or advocacy groups in development. Those details, if confirmed later, would determine how the adaptation handles spiritual themes and how it markets to both church audiences and general viewers.

For now, the project remains in development, with McNamara attached to the key creative positions of writer and director. As the production advances, questions likely to be addressed in future updates include whether Brookwell McNamara Entertainment will bring on additional producers, whether rights holders tied to the memoir will be credited in an adaptation agreement, and what level of production backing the project receives.

Deadline’s announcement adds to the ongoing stream of book-to-screen development, where memoirs are used as source material to target niche and faith-centered audiences while maintaining broader entertainment appeal. Additional casting and budget information were not included in the report, leaving the project’s scope and schedule as open items.