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During a “Message: Delivered Live!” special, which features exclusive performances from Message artists, MercyMe stopped by the SiriusXM Nashville studios to celebrate the release of their new album, “Wonder & Awe.”

MercyMe Live in NashvilleCelebrate the release of their new album, “Wonder & Awe”Listen on the App

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In between performing new songs like “Why Not Now, Why Not Me” and classics like “I Can Only Imagine,” band members Bart Millard, Barry Graul, Nathan Cochran, Robby Shaffer, and Mike Scheuchzer answered questions about “Wonder & Awe” for a live studio audience of SiriusXM listeners and host Doug Hannah. Listen to the full special on the SiriusXM app now.

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By a show of hands in the comments section, who remembers the 1988 comedy Young Einstein, starring Yahoo Serious? If you’re nodding your head, give yourself a gold star, and prepare for another film focusing on an influential figure with the word “Young” in the title. According to Deadline, Ben Kingsley, Andy Serkis, and Joel David Smallbone are joining the cast of Young Washington, a presidential biopic focusing on George Washington, America’s first president.

The Young Washington biopic is from Wonder Project and Angel Studios. Jon Erwin is directing it. William Franklyn-Miller plays a young George Washington for the epic origin story, chronicling the political figure’s rise to power. “After making a tremendous mistake that triggers the French and Indian War, an ambitious 22-year-old Washington must face his failures and find the courage to become the leader that will forge a nation,” says Deadline’s description of the film.

Lionsgate and Universal have set “Michael,” Antoine Fuqua’s biopic about Michael Jackson, for release on April 24, 2026.

Lionsgate will handle domestic distribution for the film while Universal handles overseas with the exception of Japan, where it will be distributed by Kino Films. “Michael” will have global Imax support.

While the release date is technically a weekend before the usual start of the summer box office season on the first weekend of May, “Michael” will be the de facto kickoff tentpole release for theaters to start the critical theatrical period. Historically, a Marvel Studios film has been set for release on the first weekend of May, but that won’t be the case in 2026 and 2027 as Disney has moved “Avengers: Doomsday” and “Avengers: Secret Wars” out of that slot and into the holiday season.

During Lionsgate’s last earnings call in May, CEO Jon Feltheimer announced that “Michael” had been pulled...

Jon Erwin, the director of “I Can Only Imagine” and the creator of the hit Biblical series “House of David,” is launching a new subscription service that will be the exclusive home of Season 2 of “House of David.”

Erwin is launching the subscription streaming channel Wonder Project, which shares the name of his independent, faith-based studio, via Amazon Prime Video. At launch, the service will provide access to over 1,000 hours of curated movies and TV series that fit the brand of “courageous stories, inspiring hope and restoring faith in things worth believing in.” Erwin intends to release other originals through the service as well.

Erwin will also release “House of David” Season 2 exclusively through the subscription service, with it then launching on Prime Video in the U.S. and globally at a later date. The show, about the fight between David and Goliath, was one of the top new shows last year on Prime Video,...

Jason Constantine, co-president of the Lionsgate Motion Picture Group who has been with the film studio for the last 25 years, nearly since the company’s inception, has passed away following a long fight with cancer. He was 55.

In his time with Lionsgate Constantine has overseen some of the studio’s biggest franchises, including “John Wick” and “Saw,” having pushed for the latter after seeing just a brief concept short, and he’s been closely associated with “The Expendables” and award-winning films like “Crash,” “Precious,” “Knives Out,” “I Can Only Imagine,” and many more. Constantine was elevated to the co-president role in 2023.

“With his fearless spirit, creative energy, and enduring talent relationships, Jason embodied the very best of our studio and our industry. His influence will continue to be felt in many of our most successful franchises,” Lionsgate said in a statement. “His career was built around the principles that a...

Longtime Lionsgate Motion Picture Group co-president Jason Constantine died June 3 at his home after a long fight with cancer. He was 55.

Constantine has been an executive at Lionsgate nearly since its inception, starting his career more than 25 years ago as a director of acquisitions at Lionsgate’s predecessor Trimark Pictures.

His run at Lionsgate spanned its cornerstone $1 billion-grossing franchises John Wick and Saw. He was a huge proponent of the Saw franchise from the onset, leading the studio’s push to acquire it after watching a brief concept short.

Constantine was also involved with The Expendables franchise; Paul Haggis’ Oscar Best Picture winner Crash; Lee Daniels’ Precious, nominated for five Academy Awards and winner of two Oscars; Rian Johnson’s Oscar-nominated $312 million global-grossing Knives Out; the Erwin Brothers’ faith-based smash I Can Only Imagine; worldwide action hits The Hitman’s Bodyguard, Kick Ass, Rambo: Last Blood, Angel Has Fallen and...

Jason Constantine, co-president of the Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, has passed away at the age of 55 following a long battle with cancer, the studio announced on Thursday.

A beloved figure whose skill and kindness extended beyond the executive suite to every corner of the studio and industry, Constantine has been a member of the Lionsgate family almost from the studio’s inception, beginning his career more than 25 years ago as a director of acquisitions at Lionsgate’s predecessor company, Trimark Pictures.

“With his fearless spirit, creative energy and enduring talent relationships, Jason embodied the very best of our studio and our industry,” Lionsgate said in a statement. “His influence will continue to be felt in many of our most successful franchises. His career was built around the principles that a great idea can come from anywhere, a box office triumph is meant to be shared by an entire team and...

Jason Constantine, co-president of the Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, has died after a battle with cancer. He was 55.

“With his fearless spirit, creative energy and enduring talent relationships, Jason embodied the very best of our studio and our industry,” said Lionsgate in a statement. “His influence will continue to be felt in many of our most successful franchises. His career was built around the principles that a great idea can come from anywhere, a box office triumph is meant to be shared by an entire team and our creative choices need to be bold and daring. We mourn the passing of a highly respected executive, a trusted partner and a cherished friend, and we extend our deepest condolences to his wife Kristin, his three children and his entire family.”

Constantine began working at Lionsgate more than 25 years ago, first as director of acquisitions at the company’s predecessor Trimark Pictures.

Lionsgate CEO Jon Feltheimer says that his company’s film studio will likely delay the release of Antoine Fuqua’s Michael Jackson biopic “Michael” to next year, though remained light on details during an earnings call on Thursday.

“We’re excited about the 3½ hours of amazing footage from producer Graham King and director Antoine Fuqua, and we will be announcing a definitive release strategy & timing in the next few weeks,” Feltheimer said. “I would note that it is likely we will move ‘Michael’ out of the fiscal year which will impact fiscal ’26 financial results but will bolster an already strong fiscal ’27 slate.”

Based on Feltheimer’s comments on the fiscal year schedule, “Michael” would move its release back to at least April 2026, if not later. Lionsgate is handling domestic distribution for the film with Universal handling overseas release.

“Michael” is currently set for a release this October, with Jackson played...

Hallelujah. Mel Gibson’s follow-up to “The Passion of the Christ,” titled “The Resurrection of the Christ,” has found a home at Lionsgate.

Gibson and producer Bruce Davey on behalf of their Icon Productions banner selected Lionsgate as its studio partner on “Resurrection,” which is filming now and reunites Gibson with the studio after he most recently directed the Mark Wahlberg thriller “Flight Risk” for the studio. Lionsgate also owns the Icon library, which includes the rights to the 2004 hit “Passion of the Christ.”

No release plans were announced for the film.

Jim Caviezel is returning to reprise his role as Jesus for the next chapter in the Biblical epic. And until last year, “The Passion of the Christ” remained the highest-grossing R-rated film of all time domestically. It opened to $83 million and made $370 million in North America, as well as $610 million globally, all off a $30 million production budget.

Lionsgate...

Mel Gibson and Bruce Davey, and their Icon Productions banner, have chosen Lionsgate as the studio partner on “The Resurrection of the Christ,” the follow-up to their landmark 2004 film “The Passion of the Christ.”

Until last year, “The Passion” was the highest-grossing R-rated film of all time domestically. It debuted to an opening weekend of $83 million before earning $370 million in North American theaters and more than $610 million globally off a $30 million production budget.

The deal continues Gibson’s long association with Lionsgate, where he made his two most recent films: the Oscar-nominated “Hacksaw Ridge” and the thriller “Flight Risk” starring Mark Wahlberg. The studio is also the distributor for the Icon library, including “The Passion of the Christ.” “Resurrection” underscores Lionsgate’s continued strength in the faith-based space, as the studio handles distribution for “The Chosen” and has released hits including “Jesus Revolution” and “I Can Only Imagine,” with a...

Lionsgate will be the home for Mel Gibson’s The Resurrection of the Christ, the follow-up to their landmark 2004 film The Passion of the Christ.

The company announced Thursday that it was teaming up with Gibson and his Icon Productions banner partner Bruce Davey on the production and will distribute the completed movie worldwide.

Passion of the Christ, which starred Jim Caviezel as Christ and Monica Bellucci as Mary Magdalen, was produced and self-financed by Gibson and his production company for a reported $30 million. The gamble on himself paid off when the film had an opening weekend of $83 million, took in $370 million in North American theaters and more than $610 million globally. It was, until last year, the highest-grossing R-rated film of all time domestically, and the highest-grossing indie of all time.

Resurrection has been in the works for close to a decade and Gibson has stated in interviews that the...

Lionsgate and Kingdom Story Company’s I Can Only Imagine 2 is moving from March 20, 2026 to Feb. 20, 2026. Currently, the faith-based sequel is the only wide release on its new weekend.

The faith-based film continues the inspirational true story of Bart Millard (John Finley), the lead singer of the Christian band MercyMe. The movie is being shot in Nashville.

Pic also stars Milo Ventimiglia, Arielle Kebbel, Joshua Bassett, Sophie Skelton, Sammy Dell and returning cast members Trace Adkins and Dennis Quaid.

The sequel is directed by Andrew Erwin and Brent McCorkle from a screenplay written by McCorkle. Producers include Kevin Downes, Andrew Erwin, Cindy Bond, Bart Millard, Daryl Lefever and Joshua Walsh.

Said Erwin back in March: “The first I Can Only Imagine film was such a rare magical moment, and with Brent’s script, this new film will complete Bart’s journey in such a satisfying way. It feels like it was always meant to be.

The Voice Season 27 advanced to the "Playoffs" stage of the competition on Monday. In this round, each coach brings their team of five to the stage for a single performance that will determine which two move on the live shows. By the end of the round's 20 performances, only eight artists will remain in the competition. Mega Mentors Sheryl Crow and LeAnn Rimes assisted Team Kelsea Ballerini and Team Adam Levine in the rehearsals leading up to the April 28 episode.

Michael Buble, Adam Levine, Kelsea Ballerini, John Legend, and Carson Daly on The Voice (Photo credit: Tyler Golden/NBC)

See 'The Voice' showrunner Audrey Morrissey wants Adele as a coach: 'She would slay'

Team Kelsea

The five performances for Team Kelsea were Iris Herrera with "White Horse" by Chris Stapleton, Jaelen Johnston singing "If You're Reading This" by Tim McGraw, Alanna Lynise singing "Nobody Gets Me" by Sza, Tinika Wyatt...

It was decision time for Kelsea Ballerini and Adam Levine in Monday’s episode of The Voice as Season 27’s Playoffs forced them to cut their five-member teams down to two contestants apiece. (John Legend and Michael Bublé land in the hot seat next Monday.) After hearing the performances, I thought that the coaches’ decisions would be pretty cut-and-dry. But no, as always, they surprised me. (It that a contractual obligation?) Read on, and we’ll discuss how it all went down.

Team Kelsea Ballerini

More from TVLineHacks Cast, EPs Name Their Dream Guest Stars - Who Do You Want to See Tango With Deborah?...

As Easter draws closer, The Chosen franchise is looking to capitalize on the holiday with a massive box office performance. The fifth season of the biblical television show is now being screened in its entirety in theaters, in three separate installments. The first two chapters — The Chosen: Last Supper - Part 1 and The Chosen: Last Supper - Part 2 — have grossed a combined total of almost $30 million, and have successfully pushed the franchise past an unprecedented milestone. This number will only increase by next week, when all three parts will be available to watch either separately or together.

Last Supper - Part 1 has grossed almost $19 million so far, while Last Supper - Part 2, which debuted a week later, has now hit the $10 million mark. Combined, the franchise’s domestic box office haul has now passed the $100 million mark. This is an incredible result for what is still, primarily, a TV show.

It's all building towards a mid-April event where audiences can binge on the entire fifth season of The Chosen in theaters. Two batches of episodes have already been released, with the third and final installment lined up for Friday. This week, The Chosen: Last Supper - Part 2 scored a top five debut on the domestic box office charts, following in the footsteps of The Chosen: Last Supper - Part 1, which has now emerged as the franchise's top-grossing installment. The Chosen series began debuting episodes theatrically in 2021, and has since proven that this is a viable release model that other television shows might want to consider.

Last Supper - Part 1 generated around $11 million in its first three days of release, and entered its second weekend with $15 million in the bank. Including the revenue that it generated in its sophomore frame, Last Supper - Part 1 has grossed a total of $18 million so far,...

While A Minecraft Movie will dominate all box office-related headlines this week, the surprise performer, for the second time in a row, is The Chosen. Following the remarkable performance of The Chosen: Last Supper - Part 1 last week, The Chosen: Last Supper - Part 2 also delivered a top five finish on the domestic box office charts. It didn’t quite replicate the performance of its immediate predecessor, but set the stage for what could be a massive Easter weekend for the franchise, with Part 3 lined up for release next week. Before the third installment is released in theaters, however, the franchise will have passed the coveted $100 million mark in combined revenue.

Created byDallas Jenkins, The Chosen series began rolling out episodes in theatrical installments in 2021, with Christmas with the Chosen: The Messengers grossing around $13 million domestically. The third season generated a combined total of around $30 million, while the fourth season made around $40 million in total.

Although Kendrick Lamar has been on top of the music world for a while now, fresh off headlining the Super Bowl Halftime Show and winning Record of the Year for "Not Like Us" at the Grammys, he'll have to wait a bit longer to take over the film industry. The hip-hop star's yet-untitled movie with South Park duo Trey Parker and Matt Stone, which was initially meant to go head-to-head with Jurassic World: Rebirth on July 4, has officially been pushed back to March 20, 2026. The news comes in advance of Paramount's CinemaCon presentation this week, where the film was teased last year and was likely in line for a preview this year. A reason for the delay has not been given.

First announced in early 2022 under Paramount, with Parker directing from a script written by frequent collaborator and The Shivering Truth creator Vernon Chatman, next to no information about the hotly anticipated project yet.

It’s CinemaCon week, so, studios get those release-date changes and announcements in. On Monday, Paramount said that its untitled Kendrick Lamar, Trey Parker and Matt Stone movie from filmmaker Dave Free, which was set for July 4 this year, will move to March 20, 2026.

How’s that? The Pulitzer Prize-winning, 22 Grammy trophies, and Black Panther Oscar nominated Lamar is kicking off his global tour April 19, while Parker and Stone have their South Park commitments. The plot is under wraps, but it’s billed as an original live-action comedy.

Producers are Stone and Parker for Park County, and Lamar and Free for pgLang.

The release-date move leaves Universal’s monolith Jurassic World Rebirth on July 2 and an Angel Studios untitled movie on July 4, with Warner Bros/DC Studios’ Superman from James Gunn opening July 11.

The Lamar-Parker-Stone project moves to a frame that for now includes Amazon MGM Studios’ Project Hail Mary directed by Lord & Miller,...

Kendrick Lamar’s untitled comedy won’t debut on America’s birthday after all. Paramount, the studio behind the closely guarded movie from Lamar and “South Park” creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker, has been delayed from July 4, 2025 to March 20, 2026.

Lamar will be away for much of the spring and summer on his Grand National stadium tour, which kicks off on April 19 in Minnesota and concludes on Aug. 19 in Sweden. On its new date, the yet-to-be-titled film will open on the same day as Liongate’s faith-based “I Can Only Imagine” sequel with Dennis Quaid.

The change in release plans was announced ahead of CinemaCon, the annual convention of movie theater owners that’s unfolding this week in Las Vegas. Paramount, as well as Disney, Universal, Sony, Warner Bros., Universal and Amazon MGM will unveil presentations that are designed to hype the upcoming year’s slate of films.

As for Lamar’s movie,...

Lionsgate has set the release for Kingdom Story Company’s “I Can Only Imagine 2” for March 20, 2026.

John Michael Finley, Milo Ventimiglia, Trace Adkins, and Dennis Quaid are among the stars of the film, which will be directed by Andrew Erwin alongside writer Brent McCorkle.

“I Can Only Imagine” starred Finley as Bart Millard, the singer-songwriter behind the Christian rock group MercyMe, and recounted the personal struggles and triumphs that inspired the band’s debut single from which the film bears its name.

The sequel will continue Millard’s story, as he faces a deeply personal battle as a father that he can’t fight alone. Millard is a producer on the film alongside Erwin, Kevin Downes, Cindy Bond, Daryl Lefever, and Joshua Walsh.

“I Can Only Imagine,” which was produced on a $7 million budget, grossed $83 million at the box office in 2018 and established Andrew Erwin and his brother Jon, as...

“I Can Only Imagine 2,” the sequel to the 2018 breakout hit “I Can Only Imagine,” will open theatrically on March 20, 2026, in a wide release from Lionsgate.

John Michael Finley will again star as Millard, while Dennis Quaid and Trace Adkins will reprise their roles as Arthur and MercyMe manager Scott Brickell, respectively.

New cast members for the sequel include Milo Ventimiglia as singer/songwriter Tim Timmons, Sophie Skelton taking over the role of Bart’s wife Shannon, Arielle Kebbel as Hilary Timmons, Joshua Bassett as Bart’s brother-in-law Christopher and Sammy Dell as Bart’s son Sam.

The film from Lionsgate and Kingdom Story Company will continue the inspiring true story of MercyMe’s Bart Millard as he faces a deeply personal battle as a father that he can’t fight alone. The sequel will be directed by Brent McCorkle and Andrew Erwin from a screenplay written by McCorkle. Producers include Kevin Downes,...

The 2018 movie I Can Only Imagine is getting a sequel and the main cast has been revealed!

The first film, which follows the story of Christian music group MercyMe‘s lead singer Bart Millard, grossed $86 million worldwide after being made for just $7 million.

The sequel will be directed by Andrew Erwin and Brent McCorkle from a screenplay written by McCorkle.

Producer Kevin Downes said, “We couldn’t be more thrilled with the level of talent that has come together to continue this extraordinary story.”

Co-director Andrew Erwin added, “The first I Can Only Imagine film was such a rare magical moment, and with Brent’s script, this new film will complete Bart’s journey in such a satisfying way. It feels like it was always meant to be.”

So, who is returning? And who is joining the cast?

Browse through the slideshow for all of the details…...

Arielle Kebbel, Joshua Bassett, Sophie Skelton, and Sammy Dell have joined the cast of I Can Only Imagine 2, the sequel to the 2018 faith-based film from Lionsgate and Kingdom Story Company. They will star alongside Milo Ventimiglia and returning cast members John Finley, Trace Adkins, and Dennis Quaid. Production is set to begin in April in Nashville.

The film continues the story of Bart Millard, played by Finley, the lead singer of the Christian band MercyMe. Kebbel will portray Hilary Timmons, the wife of Ventimiglia’s Tim Timmons. Bassett has been cast as Bart’s brother-in-law Christopher, while Skelton will take over the role of Bart’s wife, Shannon. Dell, making his theatrical debut, will play Bart’s son, Sam.

Directors Andrew Erwin and Brent McCorkle will helm the film, with McCorkle also writing the screenplay. The producing team includes Kevin Downes, Andrew Erwin, Cindy Bond, Bart Millard, Daryl Lefever, and Joshua Walsh.

The gears are turning quickly on Lionsgate's I Can Only Imagine sequel after the announcement that Milo Ventimigliawould star in the long-awaited follow-up to the 2018 hit drama. Four new cast members have been brought in to join him for the Kingdom Story Company production, including current Rescue: Hi-Surf star and John Tucker Must Die alum Arielle Kebbel alongside Joshua Bassett (High School Musical: The Musical: The Series), Sophie Skelton (Outlander), and Sammy Dell (Law & Order: Svu). The quartet and Ventimiglia are also accompanied by three returning stars from the original in John Finley, Trace Adkins, and Dennis Quaid. With a reinforced call sheet, cameras are ready to begin rolling on the faith-based sequel in Nashville next month.

Lionsgate and Kingdom Story Company have set Arielle Kebbel, Joshua Bassett, Sophie Skelton, and Sammy Dell to star opposite Milo Ventimiglia and returning cast members John Finley, Trace Adkins, and Dennis Quaid in I Can Only Imagine 2.

The faith-based film continues the inspirational true story of Bart Millard. Cameras roll in April in Nashville.

Kebbel will be playing Hilary Timmons, wife of Ventimiglia’s Tim Timmons. Bassett will play Bart’s brother-in-law Christopher, with Skelton taking over the role of Bart’s wife, Shannon. The film will also introduce Dell in his first theatrical film role, playing Bart’s son, Sam Millard.

The sequel will be directed by Andrew Erwin and Brent McCorkle from a screenplay written by McCorkle.

Producers of the film include Kevin Downes, Andrew Erwin, Cindy Bond, Bart Millard, Daryl Lefever, and Joshua Walsh.

Producer Kevin Downes said, “We couldn’t be more thrilled with the level...

Exclusive: Scott Adkins and Trace Adkins are joining the Esx Entertainment western Day of Reckoning, which stars Billy Zane, Zach Roerig and Cara Jade Myers. Shaun Silva of TackleBox Films is directing.

The Ali Afshar production follows put-upon lawman John Dorsey (Roerig), who is on the verge of losing his wife and his job as sheriff and posses up with bullish U.S. Marshal Butch Hayden (Zane) to hold outlaw Emily Rouse (Myers) hostage. A battle of wills ensues as Emily turns the posse on themselves, but as her marauding husband and his gang approach, Emily and John realize they will need each other to survive.

Scott Adkins recently just wrapped Joe Carnahan’s Netflix feature film Rip opposite Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. He recently starred in Lionsgate’s Killer’s Game opposite Dave Bautista and Sofia Boutella. Scott Adkins can also be seen in Netflix’s action-comedy Day Shift opposite Jamie Foxx,...

Ever since “The Chosen,” faith-based properties are not to be trifled with. Amazon and other streamers are putting big money and production values behind the most epic of Biblical stories, and the fruits of that labor are finally paying off.

Amazon on Tuesday, January 28 released the first trailer for the series “House of David,” a sweeping Biblical saga about David vs. Goliath from director Jon Erwin, who made box office bank with faith-based hits “I Can Only Imagine” and “Jesus Revolution.” “House of David” is the first project as part of a partnership announced in Jan. 2024 between Amazon Prime Video and Erwin’s new company Wonder Project to produce projects for a faith-forward audience.

“House of David” has the scope and ambition of something like “Game of Thrones” or Prime Video’s own “Lord of the Rings” series “The Rings of Power.” It shows David, the future King of Israel,...

Lionsgate and Kingdom Story Company are in preparation for production on “I Can Only Imagine 2,” a sequel to the breakout hit “I Can Only Imagine.”

The 2018 film took in over $83 million at the domestic box office. The sequel will be directed by Brent McCorkle and Andrew Erwin from a screenplay written by McCorkle.

“I Can Only Imagine 2” will continue the inspirational true story of Bart Millard, once again played by John Michael Finley. Other returning cast members include Dennis Quaid, reprising his role as Arthur, and Trace Adkins, who returns as MercyMe manager Scott Brickell. Milo Ventimiglia joins the cast in a new role as singer/songwriter Tim Timmons.

Producers of the film include Kevin Downes, Erwin, Cindy Bond, Millard, Daryl Lefever and Joshua Walsh.

Lionsgate Motion Picture Group chair Adam Fogelson said, “We’re excited to be partnering once again with Kingdom on this continuation of Bart’s incredible...

Fresh off the successful opening weekend of “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” Lionsgate has renewed its first-look deal with the inspirational family comedy’s producers, Kingdom Story Company, through 2027.

In addition, Kingdom Story’s president/COO Brandon Gregory has been named as a partner at the production outlet.

“Over the past decade, Kingdom films have established a unique ability to connect with their audiences in the faith community and beyond through high quality storytelling and exceptional productions, like their holiday hit ‘The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,’” said Lionsgate Motion Picture Group chair Adam Fogelson. “We’re proud to continue to collaborate with Kevin, Andy, Brandon and the entire team and thrilled that we are their creative home.”

Kingdom Story Company was founded in 2019 by filmmakers Jon and Andrew Erwin with the profits from their hit Christian biopic “I Can Only Imagine,” which grossed $83 million domestically against a $7 million budget.

Established with CEO Kevin Downes,...

Fresh off success with their holiday family comedy The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, Lionsgate and the faith-based Kingdom Story Company have agreed to renew their three-year first-look deal, extending the studios’ total collaboration to 10 years.

The deal puts a capstone on Kingdom Story Company’s biggest slate yet, which comprised three films with Lionsgate in 2024: Ordinary Angels, starring Hilary Swank and Alan Ritchson; Unsung Hero, from Grammy-winning faith-based artist Joel Smallbone; and the aforementioned Best Christmas Pageant Ever, which exceeded tracking by opening with $11.1 million at the domestic box office this past weekend ($12.2 M/4-day) and is positioned to continue playing through the holiday period.

Dallas Jenkins (of The Chosen fame) directed the latter film, starring Judy Greer and Pete Holmes, which adapts the children’s book by Barbara Robinson. Each of the Kingdom-developed and produced films released this year is expected to turn a profit for the studio.

Premiere Entertainment Group has picked up international sales rights and begun talks at AFM on Faith Of Angels starring John Michael Finley from I Can Only Imagine and Cameron Arnett from The Forge.

Faith Of Angels is based on the true story of a stranger (Finley) who receives mysterious callings compelling him to search for a boy (newcomer Michael Bradford) lost in an abandoned mine. Kirby Heyborne, Charlotte Hemmings, Jasen Wade and Tanner Gillman round out the key cast.

Garrett Batty (The Saratov Approach) directed the film from his screenplay, and produced alongside Daren Smith. Purdie Distribution released the film...

There is a reason certain Christmas movies stand the test of time and return year after year, and also a reason the Hallmark-style factory-made product is easily forgotten. It’s a Wonderful Life, White Christmas, A Charlie Brown Christmas and A Christmas Story are pure examples of the former. They are perennials, classics.

In fact, that sweetly nostalgic 1983 A Christmas Story is what I thought of most when watching the latest entry in the genre, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, which may not be the best Christmas movie ever, but it grabs your heart and makes you smile. It also is that increasingly rare so-called “faith based” film that doesn’t try to hit you on the head with a sermon. Instead, it manages to be thoroughly entertaining family fare that also uncovers the true, not commercial, meaning of the holiday. I wouldn’t be surprised if this Lionsgate release becomes a perennial itself.

Every now and then, a low-budget film emerges from outside the studio system and catches fire with the largely ignored right-leaning demographic, leaving mouths agape in Hollywood’s executive suites.

The Daily Wire hopes to add to the list of films that includes “The Passion of the Christ,” “I Can Only Imagine” and last year’s “Sound of Freedom” with the satire “Am I Racist?” — which marks the conservative media company’s first wide theatrical release. Starring comedian Matt Walsh, the “Borat”-style mockumentary takes aim at the Dei movement and is set to open in 1,510 theaters today, representing the most ambitious swing for the 9-year-old company founded by Ben Shapiro and Jeremy Boreing.

“They’re leaving plenty of money on the table, and we’re happy to come in and take some of it. Because, at a minimum, you are explicitly refusing to serve 50% of the audience,” Walsh says...

First-look images for the upcoming E.B. Hughes‘ Wrong Way Out (formerly known as 24 Hours of Mayhem) have been revealed by EBFilms. The first look images reveal most of the lead cast of the film.

Written and directed by Nicholl Fellowships finalist E.B. Hughes, Wrong Way Out stars Stelio Savante (What Remains) in the lead role with Deborah Twiss (Kick-Ass), Corin Nemec (Dead Man’s Hand), Hannah Fierman (V/H/S), Randy McDowell (I Can Only Imagine), and Bradford Haynes (Paradise City) starring in supporting roles.

“Set in a sleepy seashore town, following a gruesome murder, the film follows Max Crane (Stelio Savante), a tightly wound, grizzled detective, as he attempts to solve a crime with no leads, within 24 Hours.”

Wrong Way Out was shot in New Jersey and is executive produced by Clementine Bentley and Michael Pagnotta, and produced by E.B. Hughes.

Check out the rest of the...

Titans of the faith-based filmmaking industrial complex they helped to create, Kingdom Story Company founders Andrew and Jon Erwin built their brand on the Christian rock biopics “I Still Believe” and “I Can Only Imagine,” ultra-benign stories of faith, loss, and profit that rely on powerful songwriting to compensate for sermon-like storytelling, and frame their subject’s artistic success as both a testament to their faith and a megaphone for the word of Jesus Christ. Absent the rigor or artistry of secular comps like “Love & Mercy” and “Coal Miner’s Daughter” (but also absent the Wikipedia-driven ghoulishness of more recent examples like “Bohemian Rhapsody” and “I Wanna Dance with Somebody”), these movies are happy to function as feature-length commercials for the musicians they were made to honor, just as they’re happy to offer halos to the people who inspired them.

That’s a key feature of cinematic evangelism,...

This weekend marks the last quiet at the box office before summer movie season kicks off with The Fall Guy. As such, it’s expected to be a relatively quiet weekend, with nothing expected to make a debut over the mid-to-high teens. Luca Guadagnino’s Challengers is expected to notch an easy win, thanks to the solid reviews (including our own) and the fact that it features one of the biggest stars of the moment, Zendaya. I’m expecting a debut in the $17 million-ish range, which would be a decent start for distributors Amazon-MGM, who will put the film out on Prime Video before too long.

Originally, Challengers was set for a fall 2023 start, but it was delayed because of the SAG-AFTRA strike. One could understand why, as Zendaya wouldn’t have been available to promote a movie which is earning her rave reviews. While the delay may...

Game, set… but there’s not much of a match. “Challengers,” a steamy tennis drama starring Zendaya and directed by Luca Guadagnino, is poised to lead the domestic box office without much in the way of competition.

The film, from Amazon MGM, is projected to collect $12 million to $15 million from 3,400 North American theaters in its opening weekend. Although those are modest projections for any nationwide release, it’s this weekend’s only major new movie and shouldn’t have trouble claiming first place from A24’s “Civil War,” the reigning champion. Last weekend, “Civil War” topped the box office for the second consecutive frame with $11.1 million and has grossed $70 million globally to date. Overall, the domestic box office is 20% behind the same point in 2023, according to Comscore.

The steamy, R-rated “Challengers” was originally slated to premiere at 2023’s Venice Film Festival and hit the big screen last fall. But the...

The month of April seemingly sailed by with far too many moderate releases, and the month ends this weekend with more of the same. Read on for Gold Derby’s box office preview.

Italian filmmaker Luca Guadagnino returns with the sexy tennis drama “Challengers,” starring the powerhouse trio of Zendaya (“Euphoria”), Josh O’Connor (“The Crown”) and Mike Faist (“West Side Story”) as superstar tennis players who fall into a competitive love triangle. This is Zendaya’s first movie after “Dune: Part Two,” and it will be a real test for her as a box office star, since sports dramas can be hit or miss. “Challengers” really is riding on her popularity to avoid the pitfalls of the genre.

Tennis has had an especially tough time at the box office, as seen by Will Smith‘s Oscar-winning turn in the 2021 release “King Richard,” about the father of Venus and Serena Williams,...

Until recently, filmmaker Jon Erwin was the reigning box-office champ for faith-based films with “I Can Only Imagine” and “Jesus Revolution.” Shortly after “Sound of Freedom” opened to $14.2 million, he offered advice to Angel Studios on how it might capitalize that success.

By November, when the child-trafficking drama grossed $250 million worldwide, Erwin lost his bragging rights. He remembers joking with the producers, “It wasn’t supposed to work this much!”

Ego aside, he welcomed the success. As “Sound of Freedom” inspired box-office think pieces and conspiracy-theory controversy, Erwin and partner Kelly Merryman Hoogstraten were in talks with Amazon Studios. Today, their company The Wonder Project is producing a slate of faith-based series and films; Erwin said he’d “be lying” if he believed “Sound of Freedom” didn’t help him get a better deal.

“I had not felt that hunger from the studios in a long time to reach the audience,...

Dennis Quaid is an icon, according to CinemaCon.

The annual convention of the National Association of Theatre Owners has zeroed in on the veteran star to receive this year’s Cinema Icon Award. Quaid will be honored during the Big Screen Achievement Awards, hosted by official presenting sponsor the Coca-Cola Company inside the Colosseum at Caesars Palace on April 11. The ceremony will also see trophies handed out to Amy Poehler (vanguard award), Lupita Nyong’o (star of the year), Shawn Levy (director of the year), Joseph Quinn (breakthrough performer of the year award) and Dan Stevens (excellence in acting award).

“From compelling dramas to exhilarating thrillers, Dennis Quaid’s remarkable career is a testament to his talent and versatility as an actor,” said Mitch Neuhauser, managing director of CinemaCon. “His ability to embody diverse characters has captivated audiences for decades with his dedication to crafting authentic portrayals. He is truly a Hollywood icon.

Driven by their devout Christianity, the Erwin brothers — Andrew and Jon — have never been shy about the agenda behind their work. “Our mission,” it says on their website, “is simply to spread the Gospel further than it’s ever been using film as the medium,” and that mission has seen their Kingdom Story Company evolve into one of the biggest forces in America’s burgeoning “faith-based” sub-genre.

In light of the brothers’ stated purpose, however, it’s strange that they’ve responded to their success by making increasingly secular movies. Perhaps that’s just part of the Erwins’ plan to widen the tent and share Jesus’ light with people who haven’t necessarily sought it out for themselves, but it’s hard to overstate the difference between their self-directed 2012 debut — the virulently anti-abortion drama “October Baby” — and the latest feature they’ve produced, a hokey but harmless Hilary Swank vehicle...

Lionsgate’s collaboration with faith based movie producers Kingdom Story Company has reaped boxoffice rewards for both, and with their latest, Ordinary Angels, the inspiring true story of a small Kentucky town that comes together in a historic snowstorm in order to transport a 3-year-old girl to an Omaha hospital for a life-saving liver transplant, they have another surefire heartfelt film tailor-made for audiences looking for a little uplift. This actually would have made a perfect Christmas season release but has been delayed for several months, now opening in the same February corridor where Kingdom’s surprise hit, Jesus Revolution did well last year. Midwest crowds will especially respond to a never-say-never tale that is about bringing people together, not tearing them apart in this age of division.

At its center is another richly defined and dedicated Hilary Swank performance as the...

Those who were disappointed by the January box office will just have to hope things improve in February, the month that has just one government holiday and also a Hallmark holiday, both happening in the same week. Those holidays often lead to some of the month’s bigger releases, so things can still take an uptick. Read on for Gold Derby’s February 2024 box office preview.

“Argylle” (Apple/Universal) – Feb. 2

The movie kicks off the month may also be the biggest, and that’s because filmmaker Matthew Vaughn not only has a great track record with the “Kick-Ass” and “Kingsman” movies, but also because he’s assembled an astounding cast, including Bryce Dallas Howard, Sam Rockwell, Henry Cavill, Bryan Cranston, Samuel L. Jackson, John Cena, Catherine O’Hara, Ariana DeBose and even pop star Dua Lipa. The movie is based on the brand new spy novel by “Elly Conway” (played by...

Kick-Ass’s Deborah Twiss Joins Stelio Savante in Nicholl Fellowships Finalist’s ‘24 Hours Of Mayhem’ Deborah Twiss (Kick Ass) has joined SAG award nominee Stelio Savante (What Remains), Corin Nemec (Dead Man’s Hand), Hannah Fierman (V/H/S), Randy McDowell (I Can Only Imagine) and Bradford Haynes (Paradise City) in the cast of the thriller 24 Hours Of Mayhem by former Nicholl Fellowships finalist & award winning filmmaker E.B. Hughes’ (The Long …

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Deborah Twiss (Kick Ass) has joined SAG award nominee Stelio Savante (What Remains), Corin Nemec (Dead Man’s Hand), Hannah Fierman (V/H/S), Randy McDowell (I Can Only Imagine) and Bradford Haynes (Paradise City) in the cast of the thriller 24 Hours Of Mayhem by former Nicholl Fellowships finalist & award winning filmmaker E.B. Hughes‘.

Set in a sleepy seashore town, following a gruesome murder, the film follows Max Crane (Stelio Savante), a tightly wound, grizzled detective, as he attempts to solve a crime with no leads, within 24 Hours.

24 Hours Of Mayhem is being shot on location in New Jersey and is executive produced by Clementine Bentley and Michael Pagnotta, and produced by E.B. Hughes.

Twiss is repped by Roger Paul Talent & Stein Entertainment Group, Savante is with Exclusive Artists Agency & Opus Entertainment, Nemec is repped by Endorse Management Group, Fierman is with People Store, and McDowell is repped by Linda McAlister Talent.

Stelio Savante Leads Corin Nemec, Hannah Fierman, & Randy McDowell into 24 Hours Of Mayhem Corin Nemec (Dead Man’s Hand, Run Hide Fight) Hannah Fierman (I’ll Be Watching, V/H/S), and Randy McDowell (I Can Only Imagine, Mom’s Night Out) have joined SAG award nominee Stelio Savante (What Remains, Nefarious) in the cast of award winning filmmaker E.B. Hughes’ …

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Veteran producer Jon Erwin and former Netflix and YouTube exec Kelly Merryman Hoogstraten have announced the launch of The Wonder Project, a new independent studio that will cater to faith and values-oriented audiences.

Founded by Chief Content Officer Erwin and overseen by CEO Hoogstraten, The Wonder Project will look to create premium film and TV content for what they see as a huge audience that has traditionally been underserved by the entertainment industry. They’ll aim to build on the marked success in this arena of such recent titles as The Chosen and The Sound of Freedom, as well as older works like The Passion of the Christ, Heaven is for Real, I Can Only Imagine, War Room, Miracles from Heaven, and Soul Surfer, as they build their global audience.

More than $75 million in seed and Series A funding was raised ahead of launch from such major players as Sovereign’s Capital,...

Santa Isn't Real: "After suffering a brutal attack on Christmas eve, a young woman, Nikki, struggles to convince her friends that the assailant was none other than Ol' Kris Kringle. When Santa returns to terrorize the group in their remote cabin the next Christmas, Nikki and her friends must overcome disbelief as they fight to stay alive."

Written and Directed by: Zac Locke (The Voyeurs, Black Christmas) Country of Origin: USA Language: English Genre: Horror Distributor: XYZ Films Run Time: 76 minutes Cast: Scarlett Sperduto, Dana Millican, Kaya Coleman

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The Cello: "Like many musicians, accomplished Saudi cellist Nasser (Samer Ismail) has aspirations for greatness, though he feels like he’s held back by the old, dilapidated instrument he’s forced to play. When Nasser is offered the chance to take possession of a gorgeous red cello by a mysterious shop owner (Tobin Bell), he finds new inspiration both for his playing and for his composing.