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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’ …

The post Stelio Savante Leads Corin Nemec, Hannah Fierman, & Randy McDowell into 24 Hours Of Mayhem appeared first on Horror News | Hnn.

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.

Corin Nemec Hannah Fierman, and Randy McDowell have joined SAG award nominee Stelio Savante in the cast of award-winning filmmaker E.B. Hughes‘ thriller, 24 Hours Of Mayhem.

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.

Written and directed by Nicholl Fellowships Finalist E.B. Hughes, the film will be shot on location in New Jersey. The lead cast is rounded out by Randy McDowell and Bradford Haynes.

24 Hours Of Mayhem is executive produced by Clementine Bentley and Michael Pagnotta, and produced by E.B. Hughes.

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

The post Stelio Savante Leads Corin Nemec, Hannah Fierman, & Randy McDowell...

Director/producer Brent Ryan Green has optioned the exclusive film and television rights to develop and produce an adaptation of “King Raven,” a trilogy of historical novels by Stephen R. Lawhead. The books set the tale of Robin Hood in the late 11th century amid the Norman invasion of Wales.

Steeped in lore and the political intrigue of medieval Britain, Lawhead presents a historically plausible origin story for Robin Hood. Each title within the series is told from the viewpoint of a member of the Sherwood Forest clan in an entirely new setting.

The trilogy follows the journey of a young Welsh noble, Bran Ap Brychan, as he’s met with the trials and obstacles that craft him into King Raven, better known as Robin Hood.

Green has been credited on more than 70 film and television projects during his nearly 20 years in the industry. Past projects range from box office...

Trinity Creative Partnership have snapped up U.K. sales rights for historical war film “Love, Courage and the Battle for Bushy Run,” which is launching at AFM.

Set in 1763, “Love, Courage and the Battle for Bushy Run” is a historical drama set against the backdrop of one of the most defining moments in American history, the battle of Bushy Run. Dave Alan Johnson (“Christmas with Tucker”) and Larry A. McClean (“Pacific Rim”) direct from a screenplay by Charlie Richards (“House Rules”).

The battle unfolds during the Pontiac’s War in the aftermath of Britain’s 1763 triumph over France when a clash of cultures and strategies in the American Colonies took tensions to new heights.

“As Native tribes, driven by fear of British retaliation, unite under the leadership of Ottawa Chief Pontiac, the film explores the unconventional and brutal tactics employed in their quest to capture Fort Pitt,” reads the logline.

When an independent film becomes as commercially successful as Sound of Freedom, which has presently grossed nearly $215 million at the worldwide box office against a production cost of less than $15 million, the film’s director and star typically become hot properties in Hollywood.

Indeed, in the case of Sound of Freedom, it would be reasonable to assume that the film’s director, Alejandro Monteverde, and star, Jim Caviezel, would be courted by various Hollywood studios to direct and star in big-budget studio films.

However, none of the typical rules of Hollywood seem to apply to Sound of Freedom, which has seemingly had a negligible effect on the careers of the film’s principals, especially Caviezel, for whom the success of Sound of Freedom has, if anything, only exacerbated Caviezel’s prolonged estrangement from Hollywood.

Risky Sacrifices

Of course, Jim Caviezel’s estrangement from Hollywood began with Caviezel’s titular starring...

Hillary Swank rallies her entire town to help out a neighbor in the latest trailer for Lionsgate’s true-life faith-based drama “Ordinary Angels.”

The two-time Oscar winner plays a hairdresser who inserts herself into the life of a grieving widower with a critically ill daughter. The kid needs a new liver, and the dad just needs a little help. As revealed in the trailer, circumstances change when a new organ becomes available for transplant, but it requires a cross-country flight and happens to occur during a once-in-a-generation cold front.

Swank won two Best Actress Oscars, one in 2000 for “Boys Don’t Cry” and one in 2005 for “Million Dollar Baby.” Although she never really became a bankable draw, she has made a career out of mostly top-billed leading roles in films like “Amelia,” “The Core” and “The Gift.” Moreover, she almost never found herself just playing the love interest or the lone woman in a macho melodrama,...

The indie movie genre has seen another major box office milestone surpassed in the form of Sound of Freedom. Inspired by the story of real former government agent Tim Ballard, the movie explores his efforts to rescue children from a sex trafficking ring in Colombia and his founding of the non-profit organization Operation Underground Railroad. Led by Jim Caviezel, Mira Sorvino and Bill Camp, Sound of Freedom has garnered generally positive reviews from critics and enjoyed a successful early run at the box office since its July 4 debut.

With its third week of release only halfway through, Variety has brought word that Sound of Freedom has set a major indie movie box office milestone. Having officially reached the $100 million mark, the faith-based action movie becomes the first independently produced project to surpass that bar at the domestic box office in the wake of the pandemic. The only other indie movie...

“Sound of Freedom,” a religious thriller led by “The Passion of the Christ” star Jim Caviezel, is becoming an unlikely box office savior. The faith-based movie about child sex trafficking has collected an impressive $40 million after six days of release.

“Sound of Freedom” opened last Tuesday, generating a mighty $14.2 million on the Independence Day holiday. The film picked up another $18.2 million between Friday and Sunday, enough to place third on domestic box office charts behind “Insidious: The Red Door” ($32.6 million) and “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny” ($26.5 million). It’s playing in 2,850 North American theaters, a smaller footprint than “Insidious” and “Indiana Jones.

“As with our July 4th numbers, today’s numbers exceed our expectations, and we’re going to continue this momentum,” said Brandon Purdie, head of theatrical distribution at Angel Studios, the independent studio that’s backing the film, in a statement. “We’re getting messages from...

Exclusive: Briarcliff Entertainment has snapped up North American distribution rights from Concourse Media to Christian Swegal’s true crime thriller Sovereign, starring Nick Offerman, Dennis Quaid and Jacob Tremblay.

Swegal wrote and will direct later this year in Arkansas. A theatrical release during Q4 2024 is planned.

Based on real events, the story follows a father and son (Offerman and Tremblay) who identify as Sovereign Citizens, a group of anti-government extremists, as they venture across the country and find themselves in a standoff with a chief of police (Dennis Quaid) that sets off an intense manhunt with tragic consequences.

“Sovereign is a timely and captivating story and all of us at Briarcliff are looking forward to working with Christian, Nick, the Concourse team and this stellar cast on what will be a gripping ride for movie audiences,” said Tom Ortenberg, Briarcliff Entertainment CEO.

“We are beyond excited to be partnering with...

Roadside Attractions has acquired the U.S. rights to “Camp Hideout” and will release the family comedy theatrically in the fall.

The film follows a troubled teen named Noah (Ethan Drew), who nearly gets caught stealing a top-secret gadget from some big city thugs. He then barely escapes by hiding in a summer camp run by the eccentric Falco (Christopher Lloyd) and counselors Jake (Corbin Bleu) and Selena (Amanda Leighton). While Noah tries to blend in with the rest of the rowdy campers, his crooked partners show up to steal the classified item from Noah. What follows is a series of wacky and zany events complete with home-made booby traps as Noah tries to escape the goons.

The movie was directed by Sean Olson (“F.R.E.D.I.”) and produced by Phillip Glasser (“The War With Grandpa“) and Jason Brown (“Noobz”). Bleu was one of the stars of “High School Musical.

The trailer for the new film Ordinary Angels showcases Hilary Swank's latest drama. The film, which was directed by Jon Gunn, is based on the true story of a Kentucky hairdresser named Sharon Stevens (Hilary Swank) who pulled the community together to help save the daughter of a neighbor (Alan Ritchson), who desperately needs a liver transplant. The cast also includes Skywalker Hughes, Nancy Travis, Tamala Jones, Emily Mitchell, Drew Powell, and Angel's Amy Acker.

Today, Lionsgate premiered the official trailer for Ordinary Angels.

In addition to revealing the details of the movie's plot, the trailer showcases Swank's performance, which seems to draw on two Oscar-winning brassy female roles of the past, namely Julia Roberts' Erin Brockovich and Sandra Bullock's Leigh Anne Tuohy in 2009's The Blind Side. Lionsgate has already released two promotional stills for the film featuring Swank and Ritchson in a snowy scene. Check...

On Easter weekend, TheWrap lists the top 10 highest grossing Christian films in box office history.

10.”Miracles From Heaven” (2016)

The Jennifer Garner film made $61.7 million this year on a budget of $13 million, good for eighth all time, adjusted for inflation.

9. “God’s Not Dead” (2014)

Starring Kevin Sorbo, Shane Harper, David A.R. White, and Dean Cain, “God’s Not Dead” opened to $60.8 million in 2014 ($61.8 million adjusted for inflation) on a budget of $2 million. Its box office success warranted a 2016 sequel.

8. “Exodus: Gods and Kings” (2014)

The film starring Christian Bale, Joel Edgerton, John Turturro and Aaron Paul grossed $65 million domestically.

7. “War Room” (2015)

The Sony Pictures film raised holy hell at the box office when it opened in August of 2015. It ended up making $67.8 million on a budget of $3 million. Adjusted for inflation, that’s $68.8 million.

6. “I Can Only Imagine” (2018)

Jon and Andrew Erwins’ take on the story behind MercyMe’s record-setting Christian single was so...

Lew Wallace's 1880 novel "Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ" has been adapted into film many times. Much like the regular remakes of "A Star is Born," including the 2018 version, every adaptation reveals something about where Hollywood was at the time of its making. The story is a sprawling biblical epic, one that suggests a kind of maximum blockbuster potential, with naval war scenes and gladiatorial combat. Silent adaptations were made in 1909 and 1927, but the most enduring (and human) take on the story was the four-hour 1959 epic directed by William Wyler.

So why did the 2016 take on "Ben-Hur" fail to make any kind of impact -- or even its budget back at the box office? It's not as if the story is any less rich in the current day. Positive memories of the definitive Wyler take on the story surely linger. And that story's brand of action and masculine themes,...

Digital media company Cinedigm Corp. has acquired the streaming service Christian Cinema and Dove.org, a movie review site for Christian-themed films.

Terms of the deals were not disclosed, but they expand Cinedigm’s presence in the faith and family content space. Dove.org is a movie review and ratings service, and the transaction will see the property combined with Cinedigm’s existing streamer Dove Channel.

Christian Cinema, acquired from the Giving Company, is a video-on-demand service for faith-based films, and allows consumers to buy or rent movies with Christian values. Christian Cinema is also available via Apple TV, iOS, Android, Roku, Chromecast, Amazon Fire TV, and Amazon Fire tablets.

“This pair of acquisitions immediately provides us with an established consumer base, immediately accretive revenue, and multiple new avenues for growth. Much like we have done in other verticals, we expect to dramatically ramp up our offerings in original theatrical releases,...

It was a big, weird weekend at the box office as Marvel's "Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania" had to fight much harder than expected to fend off Universal's horror-comedy "Cocaine Bear." On the one hand, "Quantumania" suffered the biggest second-weekend drop ever for a Marvel movie of 69.7% to top the charts once again with a somewhat modest (by Marvel Cinematic Universe standards) $32.2 million. Frankly, it was a much closer fight than anyone anticipated.

Since "Quantumania" made $106.1 million last weekend, "Cocaine Bear" probably shouldn't have had a fighting chance. Yet, per Box Office Mojo, Elizabeth Banks' buzzy, R-rated flick took in $23 million, far exceeding expectations. Now, was there any chance of it taking the top spot away from "Ant-Man?" Not really, but it's remarkable just how close it was. The difference being that, very clearly, word of mouth for Paul Rudd's latest adventure in the MCU has not been good.

While studios have generally tried to avoid the second weekend of Marvel movies in recent years, this weekend proved beneficial for the two studios that dared to do so.

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Although Marvel’s “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” was thought to be the movie that could give the box office a kick-start for the year, that didn’t last very long. This weekend, it took a massive 70% drop – the worst second weekend drop for any Marvel Studios movie ever – though it remained in first place with an estimated $32.2 million. It has grossed $167.3 million in North America so far, which isn’t bad for 10 days. It has already passed the domestic total for the 2021 Marvel movie “Eternals,” and it’s nearing the $180 million that the first “Ant-Man” movie made over the summer of 2015. It has grossed another $196 million overseas with $46 million just from this weekend.

The really good news this weekend — two new openings combined grossing close to double their expectations — counterbalanced the grim result of a Marvel release collapsing in its second weekend.

“Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” (Disney) retained its #1 position the second weekend but with a 70 percent drop — the biggest fall ever for a Marvel title from the studio. “Black Widow” at 68 percent was the previous worst decrease (it also had PVOD access on Disney+). It’s slightly worse than “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” which, at the time, felt like a bad omen for that Warner Bros. franchise.

It’s a warning sign, though hardly suggestive of any imminent danger, that theaters can’t assume franchise/comic book movies will always sustain box office. That’s why when two much lower budget titles — both originals, both with less than guaranteed results — do quite well, it establishes that there are alternatives to comic book universe sequels.

After its strong opening weekend, Marvel Studios’ “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” is shaping up to be a historically frontloaded superhero film at the box office, plummeting 69% in its second weekend to $32 million.

Given its mixed reviews and audience reception, analysts and rival distributors were not expecting the third “Ant-Man” movie to make more than $40 million this weekend. But barring a much stronger-than-expected Sunday, this movie will have the largest second-weekend drop in the history of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the largest drop for any superhero movie with a $100 million-plus opening since the 69.6% drop of “Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice” in 2016.

With a 10-day total of $164 million, “Quantumania” should have enough momentum to cross the $200 million mark at the domestic box office. But with such a steep drop it is now questionable whether the film will have enough fuel against stiff March blockbuster competition to even pass the...

Universal’s horror-comedy “Cocaine Bear” blew past box office projections, earning an impressive $23 million from 3,534 North American theaters in its opening weekend. The blood-splattered animal adventure landed in second place on domestic charts behind Disney’s “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania,” which all but collapsed in its sophomore outing.

“Ant-Man 3” managed to remain in first place given its huge $106 million opening, but the comic book installment is suffering from negative word-of-mouth. It added $32.2 million from 4,345 venues in its second weekend of release, marking a brutal 69% decline from its debut.

Now, “Quantumania” holds the ignominious distinction as the biggest week-to-week drop in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, including “Thor: Love and Thunder” (which fell 67%), “Black Widow” (which plunged 67.8% while debuting simultaneously on Disney Plus) and “Eternals” (which fell 62% after equally bad reviews). Globally, the movie has generated $364 million, including $167 million domestically and $196 million internationally.

Elizabeth Banks directed “Cocaine Bear,” which earned...

Half a century ago Hollywood was frantically trying to figure out the newly-dominant “youth market.” Since some of that market had recently found Jesus, there was a brief spate of related films: Zefferelli’s hippie-fied St. Francis biopic “Brother Sun, Sister Moon,” adapted stage musicals “Jesus Christ Superstar” and “Godspell,” the Billy Graham-produced “A Time to Run” chief among them. But as the “Jesus Movement” got absorbed into more mainstream institutions, the brief vogue flickered out.

For a moment there, however, counterculture and Christ had a groovy thing going on, one that promised both salvation for those who’d gone overboard on sex, drugs and rock ’n’ roll, as well as a healthy shakeup of churches that had lost touch with younger generations. Dramatizing that moment is “Jesus Revolution,” an engaging, upbeat new effort from co-directors Jon Erwin (“I Can Only Imagine”) and Brent McCorkle (“Unconditional”), adapted from Greg Laurie’s memoir.

It is not often these days that you get a Hollywood studio release born out of the late-’60s and ’70s hippie movement, but in blending a true-life faith-based story with the uninhibited counterculture of the time, you have Jesus Revolution. It’s the latest spiritual exercise from the Erwin Brothers’ Kingdom Story Company virtual factory of inspirational faith-based films that really took hold with their 2018 smash hit I Can Only Imagine and more recently included the Kurt Warner football story American Underdog.

Unlike many films in the genre, which find their greatest box office success in the South and Midwest, the Erwins don’t dwell on pounding the message into their movies (thank God for that), but there is no question that belief in God when you might be at the lowest point of your life, questioning everything, is a key component, and clearly they look to real life for their inspiration.

We’re almost through the month of February, and while Marvel’s “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” should remain #1, it’s likely to have a pretty major drop based on its “B” CinemaScore, and the fact that it opened over a holiday weekend. Look for “Ant-Man” to bring in around $40 million or possibly even less on its second weekend. Read on for Gold Derby’s box office preview.

As far as new movies, Universal is offering “Cocaine Bear,” a wild R-rated horror-comedy about a bear that finds and eats a package of coke it finds in the woods and then goes on a rampage. Based on a true story, this one is directed by Elizabeth Banks, and it stars Keri Russell, Alden Ehrenreich, O’Shea Jackson Jr, Isaiah Whitlock Jr, Margo Martindale and the late, great Ray Liotta. It’s a fun cast, but the real selling point will be the...

Prime Video’s list of new releases for June 2022 features the one superhero show this season you’re not gonna want to miss.

That’s right: The Boys are (almost) back in town. The Boys season 3 premieres its first three episodes on June 3 and its cast and crew have promised spectacle beyond your wildest dreams. How will Homelander adapt to life after Stormfront? We’ll get to find out soon.

Read more TV The Boys: How Jensen Ackles’ Soldier Boy “Shakes Things Up” in Season 3 By Alec Bojalad TV The Boys Season 3 Trailer: There’s Something Wrong With Homelander By Alec Bojalad

Aside from that one very big hit, it’s a relatively light month for Prime Video originals of note. June 17 sees the arrival of two light and breezy summer projects. The Summer I Turned Pretty is a movie adapted from a trio of beloved YA novels. Meanwhile The Lake...

Exclusive: Producer and bestselling author DeVon Franklin has found his first major film role in Lionsgate and Kingdom Story Company’s Jesus Revolution. He joins an ensemble that also includes Kelsey Grammer, Joel Courtney, Anna Grace Barlow, Jonathan Roumie, Kimberly Williams-Paisley, Ally Ioannides, Julia Campbell, Nic Bishop and Jolie Jenkins, as previously announced.

The film set in the 1970s watches as a young Greg Laurie (Courtney) sets out to redefine truth through all means of liberation, and instead, meets Lonnie Frisbee (Roumie), a charismatic hippie street preacher. Laurie and Frisbee, along with Pastor Chuck Smith (Grammer), open the doors of Smith’s languishing church to an unexpected revival by way of rock and roll, newfound love, and a twist of faith leading to a Jesus Revolution that changed the world. Franklin will play Josiah, a New York news reporter covering a story on the magnitude of the movement unfolding.

Jon Erwin and Brent McCorkle (Unconditional) are directing from a script by Erwin and Jon Gunn. Kevin Downes and Jon and Andrew Erwin are producing alongside Josh Walsh (The Jesus Music) and Daryl Lefever (Woodlawn).

“Anyone who knows DeVon knows he is one of the most respected and successful producers in the industry, but they also know his devotion and commitment to inspiring people through entertainment,” said director Jon Erwin. “It is part of his DNA, and we are privileged that someone who is usually behind the scenes has graciously agreed to step in front of the camera for us for this important role and this story.”

“I was excited and nervous when they approached me to act,” added Franklin, “yet once I read the script, I knew I had to be part of bringing this powerful true story to the screen.”

Franklin serves as President and CEO of Franklin Entertainment, a production company boasting first-look deals with Paramount Pictures and CBS TV Studios. He has been the driving force behind some of Hollywood’s most successful inspirational content, including the soon-to-be-released movie Flamin’ Hot for Searchlight and the television series Kingdom Business for BET+. In addition to his work as a producer, Franklin is the author of multiple bestselling books. His Audible Original, It Takes a Woman—a deeply personal look into the tragedy that transformed his family’s life—was released in April.

Franklin serves the Hollywood community at large as Vice President of the Board of Governors for the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences. The LA-based USC grad is repped by WME and Hansen, Jacobson, Teller.