A film on C.S. Lewis’ conversion to Christianity was originally in theaters for Nov. 3 only, but based on popular demand is now enjoying an extended release till Nov. 18.

The Most Reluctant Convert: The Untold Story of C.S. Lewis was available in only 400 theatres on Nov. 3. The film grossed $1.2 million, making it the second highest grossing film of the day. It finished first — by far — in per theater average. The big-budget epic Dune, which took the No. 1 place in sales at $1.8 million, was in ten times as many theaters (4,125).

Showings for The Most Reluctant Convert have since expanded to additional theaters in the U.S. The film also expanded to the U.K. and Canada in a special release event.

“When we began working on our distribution of the film, we had a handful of theatres, mostly in major markets, with one showing on one day on November 3,” Max McLean, who plays Lewis and is executive director, said in a press release. “I am grateful to the tens of thousands of people who came out to fill theaters in almost every major city throughout the country, which has allowed the run to extend for this very important film!”

McLean told Randy Robison on LIFE Today Live that he, like Lewis, is an adult convert to Christianity. Along with playing Lewis, McClean wrote the original stage play which was adapted for the film. He said in his role, he looks for “what material would be appropriate for reaching a diverse audience. And of course, if you do that, you’re always landing on Lewis.”

McClean said that Lewis, who had lost his mother at age 9 and had a poor relationship with his father, went to war and “saw the butchery of WWI. He says, ‘you know either there’s no god behind the universe, a god who’s indifferent to good and evil — or worse, an evil god.’ So that’s the position he came from. He wasn’t looking for God. But God was looking for him.”

Aliya Kuykendall is a staff writer and proofreader for The Stream. You can follow Aliya on Twitter @AliyaKuykendall and follow The Stream @Streamdotorg.