WWE Hall of Famer Mick Foley has joined the cast of the upcoming romantic holiday feature The Christmas Heartbeat, set for a worldwide release on September 29, 2026, following Vantage Media’s acquisition of distribution rights.
Fantasy & Market Impact
From the Ring to Tennessee: The Cast and Creative Team
Set against the backdrop of Tennessee, The Christmas Heartbeat—previously known as The Heart Brake—brings together a diverse ensemble cast. According to Vantage Media’s release details provided via Fightful, the film stars Brittany Curran (The Magicians), Hunter Sansone (Stargirl), Beverly D’Angelo (National Lampoon’s Vacation), Joey Lawrence (Melissa & Joey), Rachael Thompson (WandaVision), Courtney D’Angelo (Riverdance), and WWE Hall of Famer Mick Foley.
The narrative follows New York food critic Julia Winters, played by Curran. Following a sudden cardiac arrest, Winters is forced to return to her hometown where holiday traditions remain constant and unresolved personal history lingers. To progress, she must confront both her past and an unexpected future.
Behind the Lens: Personal Experience Driving the Production
Directing the project is Lance Smith, who also co-wrote and executive-produced the feature alongside Chuck Fusca. The Christmas Heartbeat draws directly from the personal journey of executive producers Carrie and Gus Romero. Carrie Romero’s lived experience as a sudden cardiac arrest survivor and advocate anchors the film’s portrayal of family recovery and resilience.
“The Christmas Heartbeat is equal parts a Christmas story, a family story, and a love story, but above all, it’s a reminder of the resiliency of the human heart,” Smith stated via the studio’s official announcement.
The production is a collaborative effort involving AbstrACct Creative, MarcoBox Studios, and Best Part Productions, with Trey McClarnon serving as producer alongside Delaney Blanton, Quinton Macari III, and Brian Yuran. The distribution agreement was finalized by Chuck Fusca of MarcoBox Studios and Jessica Russo, COO at VMI & Vantage Media.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Distributor | Vantage Media / VMI |
| Release Date | September 29, 2026 |
| Director | Lance Smith |
| Notable Cast | Mick Foley, Beverly D’Angelo, Joey Lawrence, Brittany Curran |
Strategic Expansion and Global Reach
For independent productions, securing wide-scale distribution remains a formidable hurdle. Smith highlighted the pivotal role Vantage Media played in clearing this obstacle, noting that the distributor grasped the core mission of the project immediately. On the distribution side, VMI COO Jessica Russo emphasized the broad commercial and emotional appeal of the holiday title.
“This is the kind of holiday film that reminds us why we fall in love with Christmas year after year—it’s filled with heart, warmth, hope, and the magic of coming home,” Russo remarked regarding the worldwide acquisition.
Mick Foley recently expanded his presence in professional wrestling by joining AEW in a non-wrestling capacity, debuting as the co-host of the Double Or Nothing Buy In preshow on May 24.
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