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Mystery surrounds fake thriller The Gates linked to James Van Der Beek's legacy

A phantom film about a sinister pastor is trending—but no records, no IMDb entry, and no studio backs it. What's behind this eerie hoax?

The image shows a black and white photo of a man in a priest's robes, believed to be Pope John Paul...
The image shows a black and white photo of a man in a priest's robes, believed to be Pope John Paul II. He is wearing a white robe with a black collar and a black belt, and his hands are clasped in front of him. His face is stern and his eyes are looking directly at the viewer. His hair is slicked back and he has a serious expression on his face.

Trailer Reveals Van Der Beek in One of His Final Roles - Mystery surrounds fake thriller The Gates linked to James Van Der Beek's legacy

Reports of a new thriller titled The Gates have spread online, claiming a March 13 release in the U.S. The film supposedly stars James Van Der Beek in one of his final roles as a sinister pastor. However, no such project exists according to current records.

The false claims describe The Gates as a thriller about three friends who witness a murder and face off against a menacing pastor named Jacob. The rumors suggest the film would mark one of Van Der Beek's last performances before his death from cancer. Yet, as of February 2026, no official announcement or production details have been confirmed by Lionsgate or any other studio.

Van Der Beek's recent work includes appearances in CSI: Vegas (2021–2022) and the 2023 film Hauntland. No social media buzz, fan reactions, or credible media reports support the existence of The Gates. The actor's actual final projects remain his known TV and film roles.

The alleged release of The Gates has no verified basis. Van Der Beek's confirmed filmography does not include this title. Fans and media outlets have not acknowledged the film, leaving the claims unproven.

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