Exactly one week following the passing of James Van Der Beek, Lionsgate released a trailer for “The Gates,” the actor’s final film on the big screen.
The upcoming thriller stars Mason Gooding, Algee Smith and Keith Powers as college students, with Van Der Beek portraying the villainous pastor. The film is set to receive a limited theatrical release on March 13.
“The Gates” follows three college students on a road trip who take an ill-advised shortcut through a gated community where they happen upon a murder committed by Van Der Beek’s pastor character. The trio finds themselves trapped inside the community and being hunted after discovering the sinister pastor holds all the control.
This isn’t the only film the “Dawson’s Creek” star acted in during his battle with cancer. He also appeared in “Elle,” the Legally Blonde prequel series, “Overcompensating,” “The Masked Singer”, and “Sidelined 2: Intercepted.”
In a 2025 interview with TODAY, Van Der Beek reflected on continuing to work through his diagnosis, saying, “the greatest thing about work is cancer doesn’t exist between action and cut.”
Van Der Beek’s final film, “The Gates,” was directed by John Burr, who praised the late actor in a statement calling him a “legend.”
Despite playing the antagonist in the film, Burr said, “between scenes, he effortlessly morphed back into the grounded, charming conversationalist he was at his core. He never missed an opportunity to speak glowingly of his wife, brag about his kids, laugh about the lighter moments in his career, or to ask others what was going on in their lives. His energy was contagious.”
The news of Van Der Beek’s passing, shared by his wife Kimberly, shocked fans and friends alike.
“He met his final days with courage, faith, and grace. There is much to share regarding his wishes, love for humanity, and the sacredness of time,” Kimberly wrote in her Feb. 11 announcement. “Those days will come. For now, we ask for peaceful privacy as we grieve our loving husband, father, son, brother, and friend.”
James Van Der Beek’s friends surrounded him with love in his final days. Following the “Dawson’s Creek” star’s death from colorectal cancer on Feb. 11 at just 48 years old, those who knew him best are sharing how they bid farewell at his Texas home.
