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One girl’s imagination becomes larger than life in Collider’s exclusive first look at the trailer for Sketch. Helmed and penned by Seth Worley, in what will serve as his feature-length directorial debut, the dark yet incredibly colorful comedy features the talents of an all-star cast that includes Tony Hale (Arrested Development), D’Arcy Carden (A League of Their Own), Bia Belle (Lady in the Lake), Kue Lawrence (The Amityville Murders), and Kalon Cox (Preschool in LA). Set for a cinematic release on August 6, the PG-rated production is the perfect summer flick to keep everyone in the family entertained.

Taylor (Hale) is a single dad just trying to do what’s best for his two children, Amber (Belle) and Jack (Lawrence). The sudden passing of his wife has taken a hit on his mental and emotional state. All the while, he’s continued to try and put on a brave...

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.

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.

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...

The Unbreakable Boy is a father’s loving tribute to his son. Based on the novel “The Unbreakable Boy: A Father’s Fear, a Son’s Courage, and a story of Unconditional Love by Scott Michael LeRette. It’s a sweet story from a dad connecting to his son. In the Jon Gunn directed feature based on the book, Zachary Levi stars as Scott, and Jacob Laval stars as Austin, a young man diagnosed with a rare brittle-bone disease and autism. Also starring Patricia Heaton, Meghann Fahy, and Peter Facinelli, who also is one of the film’s producers.

Recently, I sat down with several members of the cast and producing team behind this feel good feature. Most interesting perhaps was Peter Facinelli, Scott LeRette, and producer Kevin Downes. The trio discussed bringing the story to the big screen. Considering it’s more than just a movie for Mr. LeRette,...

Lionsgate's The Unbreakable Boy is based on the book of the same name by Scott LeRette and Susy Flory, in which LeRette recounted raising his son Austin, who was diagnosed with Brittle Bone Syndrome and autism. In spite of his disabilities, Austin would go on to inspire his father and his community. The movie adaptation – written and directed by Jon Gunn and starring Zachary Levi as Scott, with Jacob Laval as Austin --stays true to the tone of Larette's memoir and his vision for his family's story.

In this interview with Cbr, LeRette explains the long journey of getting The Unbreakable Boy to movie screens. He's joined by On Fire actor Peter Facinelli as well as Kevin Downes, both of whom served as producers on the film, who explain how they came to hear about the movie and why it appealed to them. Plus, find out how Facinelli ended...

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,...

Lionsgate and the Erwin brothers’ faith-based Kingdom Story Company — which successfully released The Best Christmas Pageant Ever at the box office last weekend — announced Tuesday they are renewing their first-look deal for another three years. That will put them in business together for a full decade.

The pact was announced by Lionsgate Motion Picture Group chair Adam Fogelson and Kingdom Story Company CEO Kevin Downes, who co-founded the company in 2019 alongside Jon and Andrew Erwin.

In a twinned move, Downes revealed that the company has promoted Kingdom Story president and COO Brandon Gregory to partner.

“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,” Fogelson said in a statement.

Added Downes, “2024 has been Kingdom Story Company’s biggest year ever with a slate of three films.

Lionsgate has renewed a three-year, first-look deal with Kingdom Story Company.

The announcement extends the partnership to 10 years and follows the theatrical release of “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” which opened to $11 million over the weekend. Already this year, Lionsgate and Kingdom have collaborated on the faith-based “Ordinary Angels” starring Hilary Swank and musical biopic “Unsung Hero” about Grammy winner Joel Smallbone. “Ordinary Angels” earned $20 million at the global box office while “Unsung Hero” generated $21 million worldwide. All three 2024 releases will be profitable for the studio, according to Lionsgate.

“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,” said Lionsgate Motion Picture Group chair Adam Fogelson.

Kevin Downes, co-founder and chief executive officer of Kingdom Story Company, added, “2024 has been Kingdom Story Company’s biggest year ever with a slate of three films.

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.

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.

Enter to win four tickets for you and your family to attend an early screening of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever! The screenings will take place on Saturday, November 2. Winners can select their preferred theater and redeem their tickets here!

Synopsis: The Herdmans are absolutely the worst kids in the history of the world. They lie, they steal, they bully … and now they’ve hijacked the town Christmas pageant. Directed by Dallas Jenkins (Chosen) and based on the international bestseller by Barbara Robinson, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever follows six siblings who sneak into church searching for snacks and walk away with the lead roles in the town pageant. Grace (Judy Greer) is directing the performance for the very first time; she and her daughter Beth (Molly Belle Wright) and husband Bob (Pete Holmes) are in over their heads, especially against a town that wants them to kick the Herdmans out.

South African born SAG Award nominee Stelio Savante, also known as ‘Ajax’ in the Call Of Duty video game series and ‘Moses’ in the historical world-wide hit biblical series The Chosen, is starring in key roles in three upcoming films, all based on true stories. Sarah’s Oil, Between Borders, and Hazel.

Sarah’s Oil, is an Amazon MGM drama starring Zachary Levi, Naya Desir Johnson, Sonequa Martin Green, Garret Dillahunt, Bridget Regan, Kenric Green, Adyan Copes, Stelio Savante and Mel Rodriguez. Sarah’s Oil is inspired by Tonya Bolden’s book Searching for Sarah Rector: The Richest Black Girl in America, and tells the true story of Sarah Rector, an African American born in Oklahoma in the early 1900s. Filmed in Oklahoma, the drama chronicles Sarah’s journey to becoming the first African American teenage millionaire. Cyrus Nowrasteh (who also directed Savante in the action thriller Infidel) directed Sarah’s Oil from...

Two new posters have been released for The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (see below). The film will be in theaters on November 8, 2024! You can get tickets here!

Synopsis: The Herdmans are absolutely the worst kids in the history of the world. They lie, they steal, they bully … and now they’ve hijacked the town Christmas pageant. Directed by Dallas Jenkins (Chosen) and based on the international bestseller by Barbara Robinson, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever follows six siblings who sneak into church searching for snacks and walk away with the lead roles in the town pageant. Grace (Judy Greer) is directing the performance for the very first time; she and her daughter Beth (Molly Belle Wright) and husband Bob (Pete Holmes) are in over their heads, especially against a town that wants them to kick the Herdmans out. But the play’s mischievous stars might unwittingly teach a community the true meaning of Christmas.

Exclusive: Zachary Levi (Hotel Tehran) and Naya Desir-Johnson (The Equalizer) are toplining Sarah’s Oil, a new theatrical drama from Amazon MGM Studios that has wrapped production.

Others in the cast include Sonequa Martin-Green (Star Trek: Discovery), Garret Dillahunt (Raising Hope), Bridget Regan (Jane the Virgin), Kenric Green (The Walking Dead), Adyan Copes (Who Is Christmas Eve?), Stelio Savante (The Cleaning Lady) and Mel Rodriguez (The Last Man on Earth).

Inspired by Tonya Bolden’s book Searching for Sarah Rector: The Richest Black Girl in America, Sarah’s Oil tells the true story of Sarah Rector, an African American born in Oklahoma Indian Territory in the early 1900s, who believes there is oil beneath the barren land she’s allotted and whose faith is proven right. As greedy oil sharks close in, Sarah turns to her family, friends and some Texas wildcatters to maintain control of her oil-rich land, eventually becoming one...

Judy Greer is in over her head as the director of her’s church annual Christmas event in the trailer for The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.

Dallas Jenkins, who created the biblical series The Chosen, directed the Lionsgate holiday film that hits theaters Nov. 8. Pete Holmes, Molly Belle Wright and Lauren Graham also star in the movie that centers on Grace Bradley (Greer) volunteering to direct the annual Christmas pageant before realizing that the involvement of the unruly Herdman children could lead to chaos for the community.

“Jesus was born for the Herdmans as much as he was for us,” Greer reasons in the trailer. “We’d be missing the whole point of the story if we turn them away.”

Jenkins helmed the film from a script he co-wrote with Platte F. Clark, Darin McDaniel and Ryan Swanson that is based on author Barbara Robinson’s 1972 book of the same name.

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,...

Reacher's Alan Ritchson and Hilary Swank star in the remarkable true story of a struggling alcoholic who helped save a young child, and her family who were drowning in medical debts in Ordinary Angels. Producer Kevin Downes chats with us about how the inspiring story came to be with musician Dave Matthews starting the journey to get the movie made.

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...

Exclusive: Parenthood and Gilmore Girls actress Lauren Graham has boarded Lionsgate and Kingdom Story Company’s upcoming holiday theatrical release, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.

The feature take of Barbara Robinson’s classic book, under the direction of Dallas Jenkins, recently wrapped production. The pic hits theaters on Nov. 15.

In addition, some cast members from Jenkins’ The Chosen series also joined the film, including Kirk B.R. Woller, Vanessa Benavente, and Elizabeth Tabish.

Graham will play the pic’s the narrator in addition to making a key on-screen cameo. Woller, Benavente and Tabish respectively play Reverend Hopkins, a first-grade teacher, and church lady Mrs. Grady. Peru native Benavente played Mother Mary in The Chosen, while Tabish portrayed Mary Magdalene.

The family comedy also stars Judy Greer as Grace, the director of the pageant, and Pete Holmes as her husband, Bob.

Screenplay is from Darin McDaniel & Platte Clark and Ryan Swanson and Jenkins.

Lionsgate’s Kingdom Story Company movie, The Unbreakable Boy, will open on February 21, 2025.

Directed and written by Jon Gunn, the pic follows 12-year-old Austin (Jacob Laval), who is the ultimate ’90s kid — funny, loves life, loves pancakes and instantly makes friends with everyone he meets. When his father, Scott (Zachary Levi), learns Austin has autism and osteogenesis imperfecta (brittle bone disease), at first he only can see his son through society’s misconceptions about his disabilities. But with Scott’s growing faith and Austin’s incredible spirit, Scott discovers the excitement for life that comes so naturally to his son. And he learns that being “unbreakable” is about finding joy and gratitude even in the most trying times.

Meghann Fahy, Drew Powell and Patricia Heaton also star in this feature adaptation of Scott LeRette and Susy Flory’s book.

Producers are Kevin Downes, Jon Erwin, Jerilyn Esquibel, Peter Facinelli and Andrew Erwin.

Exclusive: Kingdom Story Company, the production shingle behind Lionsgate’s cash cow Jesus Revolution among other hits, has appointed Kevin Downes as CEO and Andrew Erwin as Chief Creative Officer ahead of its 2024 theatrical film slate with the studio.

In addition, Kingdom Story Company and Lionsgate have entered into a partnership on the follow-up to Wonder, White Bird from filmmaker Marc Forster based on the book by Rj Palacio. The studios will leverage Kingdom’s incredible faith-based reach to promote the movie, which will now release on Oct. 4, 2024.

Other movies on the Kingdom Story-Lionsgate slate include 2x Oscar winner Hilary Swank’s Ordinary Angels on Feb. 23, the April dated Unsung Hero and The Unbreakable Boy, and the year-end holiday title The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, directed by Dallas Jenkins, creator of the TV series The Chosen.

Downes and Erwin are both partners in the Nashville-based Kingdom Story Company, along with...

Exclusive: Judy Greer (White House Plumbers) and Pete Holmes (Crashing) have entered production in Winnipeg on The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, an inspirational comedy that The Chosen‘s Dallas Jenkins is helming for Lionsgate and Kingdom Story Company.

Co-starring in the pic, based on the international bestseller by Barbara Robinson, is Molly Belle Wright (Deep Water).

The film centers on the Herdman kids, who are the absolute worst. They lie, they steal, they bully… and they’ve hijacked the town Christmas pageant. As the rowdy and raucous siblings force themselves into all of the lead roles, they drive the pageant’s director, Grace (Judy Greer), and other members of her family, including husband Bob (Holmes), up the wall. But through their misfit mischief, these unlikely messengers might turn out to be the ones to deliver the town’s sensational and moving portrayal of the true meaning of Christmas.

Script was...

Lionsgate and Kingdom Story Company have won a competitive bidding war for an adaptation of “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.” The film, to be based on Barbara Robinson’s popular book, will be penned and directed by Dallas Jenkins, the creator, director and producer of “The Chosen.”

“The Best Christmas Pageant,” which has sold over seven million copies since its publication in 1972, centers on the Herdmans – apparently the very worst kids in the history of the world. However, they end up taking over their town’s local Christmas pageant. Possible spoilers – it just might accidentally teach the community the true meaning of Christmas.

Kingdom Story’s Kevin Downes, Daryl Lefever, Andrew Erwin and Jon Erwin will produce alongside McDaniel and Thomas. Jenkins will executive produce alongside Molen, Mark Kendell, and Tony Young. Production begins next month in Canada. The film will debut theatrically over the 2024 holiday season.

Jenkins today released...

Exclusive: In a competitive situation, Lionsgate and Kingdom Story Company have nabbed The Best Christmas Pageant ever which The Chosen creator/producer/director Dallas Jenkins will direct and adapt from Barbara Robinson’s comedic family book and play. Cameras roll next month in Canada for a 2024 holiday theatrical release.

Jenkins pursued a 15-year journey to secure the rights to The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, rights which have been stewarded by Darin McDaniel, Chet Thomas, and Gerald R. Molen. The book has sold over 7M copies since it was published in 1972.

Dallas Jenkins

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever centers on the Herdmans – absolutely the worst kids in the history of the world. But this Christmas, they’re taking over their local church Pageant – and they just might unwittingly teach a shocked community the true meaning of Christmas.

The pic will be produced by Kingdom Story’s Kevin Downes, Daryl Lefever, Andrew Erwin...

Exclusive: The Kingdom Studios and Lionsgate drama Ordinary Angels starring 2x Oscar winner Hilary Swank is departing from its Oct. 13 theatrical release date as AMC’s Taylor Swift: The New Eras Tour looks to open to at least $70M off a female-heavy audience.

Universal’s The Exorcist: The Believer seeing the crazy amount of presales at $37M+ yesterday opted to go a week earlier on Oct. 6, which is much richer release date where Joker, and Venom have launched.

No bother for Ordinary Angels which is Tbd in regards to its release date. Lionsgate runs an entirely grass roots campaign on these pics, so there’s complete flexibility and no wasted media or P&a costs. Furthermore, we understand, that Swank wants to promote the pic. So, potentially waiting out the SAG-AFTRA strike is prudent for a smaller feature such as this.

Based on a true story, Ordinary Angels centers on...

Lionsgate announced on Thursday that its Kingdom Story Company drama Ordinary Angels, starring 2x Oscar winner Hilary Swank (Alaska Daily) and Alan Ritchson (Reacher), will open wide on October 13th.

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The film is now set to debut against the continuation of horror classic The Exorcist from Universal, Peacock, Blumhouse and Morgan Creek.

Based on a remarkable true story, and directed by Jon Gunn (The Unbreakable Boy), Ordinary Angels centers on Sharon Steves (Swank), a fierce but struggling hairdresser in small-town Kentucky who discovers a renewed sense of purpose when she meets Ed Schmitt (Ritchson), a widower working hard to make ends meet for his two daughters.

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.

Ethan Hawke has taken on the helm for the feature that will focus on the life of Flannery O’Connor, ‘Wildcat.’

Maya Hawke will star as the Southern writer. Other cast members include Oscar-nominee Laura Linney (“You Can Count on Me”), Philip Ettinger (“First Reformed”), Rafael Casal (“Blindspotting”), Steve Zahn (“White Lotus”), Cooper Hoffman (“Licorice Pizza”), Willa Fitzgerald (“Reacher”), Alessandro Nivola (“The Many Saints of Newark”) and Vincent D’Onofrio (“Law & Order: Criminal Intent”).

The story will follow O’Connor as she struggles to publish her first novel. A devout Catholic from Georgia, O’Connor was invited to the prestigious Iowa Writers’ Workshop. Famous for her offbeat short fiction about the American South and her faith, she was plagued by lupus for much of her life and died at 39.

Also in news – Jack O’Connell to play Amy Winehouse’s husband in biopic ‘Back to Black’

Ethan Hawke produces and also co-wrote the script with Shelby Gaines.

Maya Hawke is set to take a leading role in a biopic about one of America's most indelible writers. According to Deadline, the "Stranger Things" and "Do Revenge" actor is set to star in and executive produce the film "Wildcat," which her father Ethan Hawke will direct and produce. "Wildcat" will tell the story of 20th-century Southern writer Flannery O'Connor, whose disturbing, religion-fueled Southern Gothic stories like "A Good Man is Hard To Find" and the novel "Wise Blood" remain literary mainstays to this day.

Maya Hawke will reportedly star as a young O'Connor in the stage before she published her first novel in 1952. The film is apparently a passion project for the star, with Ethan Hawke telling Deadline, "Maya has been working hard for years to put this project together, and we're grateful for the opportunity to introduce a new generation of filmgoers to the genius of Flannery O'Connor.

Ethan Hawke is keeping it all in the family with his latest film, “Wildcat.”

Based on the life of novelist Flannery O’Connor, the biopic film stars Maya Hawke as the Southern writer. Ethan directs, produces, and co-wrote the script along with Shelby Gaines, as Variety first reported.

“Maya has been working hard for years to put this project together, and we’re grateful for the opportunity to introduce a new generation of filmgoers to the genius of Flannery O’Connor,” Ethan said, while also sharing a first look at the production on Instagram. “Her work explores themes important to all artists — the intersection of creativity and faith, the blurred relationship between imagination and reality.”

Ethan previously starred opposite Maya on limited series “The Good Lord Bird.” Maya executive produces “Wildcat” through her Under the Influence Productions. Principal photography for the film began January 10 in Louisville, Kentucky.

Per the official synopsis,...

Ethan Hawke has started production on “Wildcat,” a look at the life of Flannery O’Connor that stars Maya Hawke as the Southern writer. He’s assembled an ensemble of heavy hitters that also includes Oscar-nominee Laura Linney (“You Can Count on Me”), Philip Ettinger (“First Reformed”), Rafael Casal (“Blindspotting”), Steve Zahn (“White Lotus”), Cooper Hoffman (“Licorice Pizza”), Willa Fitzgerald (“Reacher”), Alessandro Nivola (“The Many Saints of Newark”) and Vincent D’Onofrio (“Law & Order: Criminal Intent”).

In addition to directing the film, Ethan Hawke produces and also co-wrote the script with Shelby Gaines. “Wildcat” is produced by Joe Goodman of Good Country Pictures, Ryan Hawke and Ethan Hawke of Under the Influence Productions, Cory Pyke of Renovo Media Group and Kevin Downes and Jon Erwin and Daryl Lefever of Kingdom Story Company. Executive producers include Eric Groth and David Kingland of Renovo Media Group alongside Maya Hawke through Under the Influence Productions.

Click here to read the full article.

The Erwin Brothers’ Kingdom Story Company banner has acquired the rights to Eric Blehm’s book Fearless, with Jason Hall to pen the film’s screenplay and Andrew Erwin to direct.

The film will adapt Blehm’s 2012 book about Seal Team 6 commando Adam Brown, a Navy soldier who overcame struggles, including drug addiction and jail time, to become a member of the elite Navy Seal team best known for killing Osama bin Laden in Afghanistan.

Hall’s earned an Oscar nomination for penning American Sniper and most recently wrote Gran Turismo for Sony Pictures. Kevin Downes will join Andrew Erwin in producing the feature set on the front lines of the Navy Seals’ battle in Afghanistan, along with Mark Ciardi and Jon Erwin.

Kingdom Story Company — the banner founded by brothers Jon and Andrew Erwin and the team behind faith-based box office hits...

Stars: Zachary Levi, Anna Paquin, Hayden Zaller, Ser’Darius Blain, Dennis Quaid, Chance Kelly, Simeon Castle, Bruce McGill, Adam Baldwin, Cindy Hogan, Nicholas Harris, Steven Chester Prince, Dean Denton, Kevin Downes | Written by Jon Erwin, David Aaron Cohen, Jon Gunn | Directed by Andrew Erwin, Jon Erwin

Who doesn’t love a good sports movie? Or a life-affirming feel-good film? And what’s better than a feel-good sports drama? Nothing much really. But what if that film is based on a true story, making it even more uplifting? Good god, it’s enough to make a grown man cry.

American Underdog fulfils all those qualities and more, telling the inspirational true story of Kurt Warner (Zachary Levi) and the years of challenges and setbacks that could have derailed his aspirations to become an NFL player – but just when his dreams seemed all but out of reach, it is only with the support of his wife,...

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.

Exclusive: Nancy Travis (The Kominsky Method), Tamala Jones (Rebel), Emily Mitchell (What We Do in the Shadows), Skywalker Hughes (Joe Pickett), Drew Powell (The Unbreakable Boy) and Amy Acker (9-11: Lone Star) have signed on to star alongside Hilary Swank and Alan Ritchson in Kingdom Story Company’s film Ordinary Angels, which Lionsgate will distribute.

The film set against the backdrop of the worst snowstorm in Kentucky history is inspired by the incredible true story of a struggling hairdresser (Swank) who single-handedly rallies an entire community to help a widowed father (Ritchson) save the life of his critically ill young daughter.

Jon Gunn (The Unbreakable Boy) is directing, and wrote the most recent draft of the script with Jon Erwin. Meg Tilly and Kelly Fremon Craig penned an earlier draft. Kingdom Story Company’s Kevin Downes, Jon Erwin and Andrew Erwin are producing alongside Stampede Ventures’ Jon Berg, Vertigo Entertainment’s Roy Lee,...

Okay, so why is ComicMix reviewing a football movie? Well, first of all, we’re a little more than just comics and secondly, it stars Captain Marvel himself, so there’s that.

Besides, it’s about a real-life hero, and who doesn’t love heroes?

Kurt Warner’s story is well worth exploring and the Lionsgate Home Entertainment release of last year’s American Underdog does a fine job recounting the story. For those unfamiliar, Warner was a star at Northern Iowa but spent four years unable to get signed by an NFL team. Finally, the Green Bay Packers signed but released him in 1994. He then played three seasons for the Iowa Barnstormers in the brief-lived Arena Football League before finally making it to the NFL with the St. Louis Rams. Once there, he led what has been dubbed the Greatest Show on Turn, culminating in winning Super Bowl Xxxiv.

Exclusive: Two-time Academy Award winner Hilary Swank (Million Dollar Baby) and Reacher breakout Alan Ritchson have signed on to star in the film Ordinary Angels from Kingdom Story Company, which Lionsgate will distribute.

Set against the backdrop of the worst snowstorm in Kentucky history, pic is inspired by the incredible true story of a struggling hairdresser (Swank) who single-handedly rallies an entire community to help a widowed father (Ritchson) save the life of his critically ill young daughter.

Jon Gunn (The Unbreakable Boy) is directing, having written the most recent draft of the script with Jon Erwin. Meg Tilly and Kelly Fremon Craig penned an earlier draft. Kingdom Story Company’s Kevin Downes, Jon Erwin and Andrew Erwin are producing alongside Stampede Ventures’ Jon Berg, Vertigo Entertainment’s Roy Lee, Stolen Sky Productions’ Dave Matthews and Johnathan Dorfman, and Green Hummingbird Entertainment’s David Beal and Sarah Johnson. Chelsea Kujawa...

Exclusive: Kelsey Grammer, Anna Grace Barlow, and Jonathan Roumie have joined the cast of Jesus Revolution, the Kingdom Story Company and Lionsgate film inspired by the true story of a national spiritual awakening in the early 1970s and its origins within a community of teenage hippies in Southern California. Grammer will star alongside Joel Courtney as well as Barlow and Roumie, and Kimberly Williams-Paisley, Ally Ioannides, Julia Campbell, Nic Bishop, and Jolie Jenkins.

In the 1970s, young Greg Laurie (Joel Courtney) sets out to redefine truth through all means of liberation, and instead, meets Lonnie Frisbee (Jonathan Roumie), a charismatic hippie street preacher. Laurie and Frisbee, along with Pastor Chuck Smith (Kelsey 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. Laurie went on to start Harvest Christian Fellowship,...

Santa Monica, CA – Based on the inspirational true story of two-time NFL Mvp, Super Bowl Mvp, and Hall of Fame quarterback Kurt Warner, American Underdog arrives on Digital February 4 and on 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack (plus Blu-ray and Digital), Blu-ray Combo Pack (plus DVD and Digital), DVD, and On Demand February 22 from Lionsgate. From The Erwin Brothers (I Still Believe and I Can Only Imagine) and screenwriters Jon Erwin (I Still Believe and I Can Only Imagine) & David Aaron Cohen (Friday Night Lights) and Jon Gunn (I Still Believe), the film stars Zachary Levi, Ser’Darius Blain, and Primetime Emmy® Award nominee Dennis Quaid.

American Underdog tells the inspirational true story of Kurt Warner (Zachary Levi), who went from a stockboy at a grocery store to a two-time NFL Mvp, Super Bowl champion, and Hall of Fame quarterback. The film centers on Warner’s unique story and years of challenges...

American Underdog: The Kurt Warner Story will be Available on Digital February 4

4K Ultra HD Combo Pack, Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD, & On Demand on February 22 from Lionsgate

Based on the inspirational true story of two-time NFL Mvp, Super Bowl Mvp, and Hall of Fame quarterback Kurt Warner, American Underdog arrives on Digital February 4 and on 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack (plus Blu-ray and Digital), Blu-ray Combo Pack (plus DVD and Digital), DVD, and On Demand February 22 from Lionsgate. From The Erwin Brothers (I Still Believe and I Can Only Imagine) and screenwriters Jon Erwin (I Still Believe and I Can Only Imagine) & David Aaron Cohen (Friday Night Lights) and Jon Gunn (I Still Believe), the film stars Zachary Levi, Academy Award® winner Anna Paquin, Ser’Darius Blain, and Primetime Emmy® Award nominee Dennis Quaid.

American Underdog tells the inspirational true story of Kurt Warner (Zachary Levi), who went from a stockboy...

American Underdog Review — American Underdog (2021) Film Review, a movie directed by Andrew Erwin and Jon Erwin and starring Zachary Levi, Anna Paquin, Hayden Zaller, Ser’Darius Blain, Dennis Quaid, Chance Kelly, Bruce McGill, Adam Baldwin, Cindy Hogan, Steven Chester Prince, Dean Denton, Kevin Downes, Cora Wilkerson, Morgana Shaw, Danny Vinson and Andrea Cohen. The [...]

Continue reading: Film Review: American Underdog (2021): The Erwin Brothers’ Latest Movie Will Keep Audiences Interested Throughout...

The official trailer and poster for American Underdog starring Zachary Levi has been released, and you can check them out right here on CinemaNerdz (see above).

American Underdog tells the inspirational true story of Kurt Warner (Zachary Levi), who went from a stockboy at a grocery store to a two-time NFL Mvp, Super Bowl champion, and Hall of Fame quarterback. The film centers on Warner’s unique story and years of challenges and setbacks that could have derailed his aspirations to become an NFL player – but just when his dreams seemed all but out of reach, it is only with the support of his wife, Brenda (Anna Paquin) and the encouragement of his family, coaches, and teammates that Warner perseveres and finds the strength to show the world the champion that he already is. American Underdog is an uplifting story that demonstrates that anything is possible when you have faith,...

On Thursday at CinemaCon, Lionsgate said that it is opening the Erwin Brothers-directed American Underdog on Christmas Day. The pic was previously set to open on December 10, with the release timed to the climax of the NFL season.

“This movie perfectly aligns with the emotions of the holiday season: The power of faith. A drive to bring out the best in all of us. The strength of family. And of course, the height of the NFL championship season. When you take all of that together, the perfect release date for this movie is Christmas day, and that’s where we have decided to date it,” said Joe Drake, chairman of Lionsgate’s Motion Picture Group.

American Underdog tells the inspirational true story of Kurt Warner (Zachary Levi), who went from a stock boy at a grocery store to a two-time NFL Mvp, Super Bowl champion and Hall of Fame quarterback.

Exclusive: Golden Globe nominee Dennis Quaid and Oscar-nominated actress Virginia Madsen have signed on for the Jon Erwin and Andrew Erwin-directed sports drama, American Underdog: The Kurt Warner Story, along with Ser’Darius Blain, Adam Baldwin, Bruce McGill, Danny Vinson, Chance Kelly, and Hayden Zaller. The new additions join Zachary Levi in the role of Kurt Warner and Anna Paquin as Brenda Warner.

David Aaron Cohen, Jon Gunn, and Jon Erwin penned the screenplay based on interviews with Warner as well as Warner’s memoir, All Things Possible: My Story of Faith, Football and the First Miracle Season. The pic chronicles Kurt’s journey from stocking shelves at a supermarket to becoming a two-time NFL Mvp, Super Bowl Mvp, and Hall of Fame quarterback.

Quaid will play St. Louis Rams coach Dick Vermeil, while Kelly playing the Rams’ offensive coordinator, Mike Martz. Madsen will play Sue Warner,...

Anna Paquin has joined the cast of “American Underdog: The Kurt Warner Story,” the biopic about the all-star NFL quarterback that will star Zachary Levi.

Paquin in the film will play Warner’s wife Brenda Warner.

Lionsgate is releasing “American Underdog,” the next film under the Kingdom Story Company banner and from directors Jon Erwin and Andrew Erwin.

The drama is a biopic and sports film about the life of Kurt Warner and how he went from humble roots stocking supermarket shelves to becoming a Super Bowl Mvp and Hall of Famer. David Aaron Cohen (“Friday Night Lights”) wrote the screenplay with Jon Gun and Jon Erwin, and the screenplay is based on interviews with Warner and his own memoir, “All Things Possible: My Story of Faith, Football and the First Miracle Season.”

The Erwin brothers and Kevin Downes are producing for Kingdom Story, as will Mark Ciardi, known for...