Jacob Laval has been cast as the titular character in the new Zachary Levi led inspirational drama, The Unbreakable Boy. Joining Laval and Levi are Meghann Fahy, Peter Facinelli, Drew Powell, Pilot Bunch, and Emmy winner Patricia Heaton. The Lionsgate movie is being written and directed by Jon Gunn. 

The film is based on Scott M. LeRette’s novel, The Unbreakable Boy: A Father’s Fear, A son’s Courage, and a Story of Unconditional Love. The story centers around Austin, a boy born with both a rare brittle-bone disease and autism. However, Austin also possesses a joyous, funny and life-affirming worldview that transforms and unites those around him – especially is dad, who comes to see his son not as a symbol of something broken, but a triumphant and indestructible spirit. 

Jon Erwin, Andrew Erwin, and Kevin Downes will produce through their Kingdom Story Company banner with Facinelli and Jerliyn Esquibel, who brought the book to Kingdom Story. Meredith Wieck and Chelsea Kujawa will oversee for Lionsgate. 

Lavel is most known for his roles in HBO’s The Plot Against America, and Netflix’s Jessica Jones. Fahy stars in Freeform’s hit series The Bold Type. She also starred opposite Jessica Chastain in Miss Sloane. Facinelli most recently wrote, directed and produced The Vanished, which he starred in alongside Thomas Jane.  

Heaton is best known for her Emmy-winning role in the hit CBS series, Everybody Loves Raymond, where she starred alongside Ray Romano and Doris Roberts.