Bryan filmmaker brings Milton Hershey’s story to the big screen

BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) - After five years of writing, planning and production, Bryan resident Sharon Paul is ready to share a story she believes was made for the big screen.

“Hershey,” a new film written and produced by Paul, tells the story of chocolate maker Milton Hershey, who built a candy empire after multiple business failures. It opens in theaters nationwide Nov. 25.

“We couldn’t be more thrilled to see it come to life and to share it with the people we’ve always wanted to share it with,” Paul said. “It’s a dream.”

Paul said she was drawn to Hershey’s journey as an underdog and wondered why his story hadn’t already been made into a movie.

“It’s got everything you’d want in a movie,” she said. “It’s got that underdog kind of coming from everything being against you and rising above circumstances. It’s a love story. It’s just candy.”

The movie follows Hershey’s relationship with his wife, Catherine, known as Kitty. Paul said she wanted their love story to be at the heart of the film and to recognize Kitty’s role in the couple’s legacy, including their school for children in need.

Finn Wittrock plays Milton Hershey, and Alexandra Daddario plays Kitty. Paul praised the actors’ chemistry and the authenticity they brought to their roles.

Paul also worked with the Hershey Company’s archives team for about three years to balance creative choices with historical accuracy.

Paul wasn’t the only person from the Brazos Valley involved in the film. Executive producers Flip and Susan Flippin were the project’s first investors, she said.

“I just don’t think the movie would exist without their support and without their help,” Paul said.

The film was shot in Pennsylvania, but Paul said having roots in the Brazos Valley made the project special. She hopes the story of Hershey’s persistence inspires audiences when it reaches theaters this Thanksgiving.