ESCAPES TO PREVIEW NEW NICK JONAS AND PAUL RUDD FILM POWER BALLAD AT 100+ UK CINEMAS FOR FREE POWER BALLAD follows Rick Power (Paul Rudd), a wedding singer who meets washed up former boy band singer Danny Wilson (Nick Jonas) at a wedding one night and bonds with him over a jam session. Danny steals one of Rick’s songs and it becomes a number one hit that brings Danny back into popularity, leading to Rick seeking out revenge and recognition.
POWER BALLAD stars Nick Jonas, the global pop icon who first broke into acting as a Broadway star when he was just seven years old. Jonas went on to form The Jonas Brothers with his older brothers Joe and Kevin. A star of the CAMP ROCK and JUMANJI films, Nick Jonas has also had a successful solo music career in recent years with hit singles including Jealous.
Paul Rudd plays wedding singer Rick Power in the film. Rudd is best known for three decades of iconic film and TV roles including CLUELESS, ANCHORMAN, THE 40-YEAR-OLD VIRGIN, ANT-MAN, FRIENDS and I LOVE YOU, MAN.
POWER BALLAD is directed by beloved Irish filmmaker John Carney. Carney directed his breakthrough film ONCE for just £110,000 in 2007 which went on to become a breakout global hit grossing more than $23m worldwide. Steven Spielberg said: “ONCE gave me enough inspiration to last the rest of the year.”
John Carney has since gone on to direct MODERN LOVE, BEGIN AGAIN, and SING STREET. Now, POWER BALLAD has been hailed by Variety as “John Carney’s most winning pop-music drama since ONCE.”
Rounding out the cast are Havana Rose Liu, who is best known for her lead role in the comedy film BOTTOMS and Jack Reyner who reunites with director John Carney after his award-winning performance in Carney's SING STREET (2016).
These screenings will be some of the first previews for UK audiences before the film's UK-wide cinema release on 29 May 2026
ENDS
About Escapes:
Escapes is a nationwide initiative supported by the BFI, awarding National Lottery funding, aimed at making cinema more accessible for everyone. Through free screenings at over 150 independent cinemas across the UK, Escapes provides an opportunity for new and returning audiences to discover the magic of cinema. Whether it's a blockbuster, an indie gem, or a cult classic like Point Break, Escapes is committed to engaging local communities and breaking down barriers to cinema-going.
About the BFI:
The BFI is a cultural charity, a National Lottery distributor, and the UK’s lead organisation for
film and the moving image.
Our mission is:
To support creativity and actively seek out the next generation of UK storytellers.
To grow and care for the BFI National Archive, the world’s largest film and television archive.
To offer the widest range of UK and international moving image culture through our programmes and festivals - delivered online and in venue.
To use our knowledge to educate and deepen public appreciation and understanding.
To work with Government and industry to ensure the continued growth of the UK’s screen industries.
Founded in 1933, the BFI is a registered charity governed by Royal Charter.
The BFI Board of Governors is chaired by Jay Hunt OBE.
