Kingdom Story Company

Kingdom Story Company
FormerlyKingdom Studios (2019)
Company typeFilm production
IndustryFaith-based entertainment
FoundedMarch 26, 2019 (2019-03-26)
FounderErwin Brothers
Kevin Downes
Tony Young
HeadquartersNashville, Tennessee
Los Angeles, California
Key people
Jon Erwin (CEO)
Andrew Erwin (CCO)
Kevin Downes (chief of production and distribution)
Tony Young (chairman)
ProductsMotion pictures
Television programming
OwnerLionsgate Studios
Erwin brothers
Kevin Downes
Tony Young
Websitewww.kingdomstorycompany.com
Footnotes / references
[1][2]

Kingdom Story Company (formerly known as Kingdom Studios) is an American independent film and television studio in partnership with Lionsgate specializing in the production of Christian films. It was founded on March 26, 2019 by the Erwin Brothers (Jon and Andrew Erwin), Kevin Downes, and Tony Young and is based out of Franklin, Tennessee.

History

Kingdom was funded by profits from the Erwins' film I Can Only Imagine, which was released in early 2018 by Lionsgate, grossing more than $83 million at the domestic box office on a $7 million budget.[3] Subsequent negotiations with Lionsgate culminated in a multi-year deal in which it was agreed that the Erwin Brothers and Kevin Downes would create faith-based feature films and television programming for the company.[4][5][6] Lionsgate Motion Picture Group Chairman, Joe Drake, and Television Group Chairman, Kevin Beggs announced the agreement on August 9, 2018.[5][7]

Kingdom Story Company was announced to have been launched on March 26, 2019, at the National Religious Broadcasters convention in Anaheim, California.[3][8][2]

I Still Believe, Kingdom's first film project, began filming in the spring of 2019 and was released on March 13, 2020.[9][10][11]

In September 2019, it was announced that Kingdom would be launching a television division, headed by The Big Bang Theory producer Mona Garcea.[12][13]

After Kingdom acquired the film rights to NFL quarterback Kurt Warner's life story, interviews, and memoir, American Underdog: The Kurt Warner Story was announced in February 2020, and released on December 25, 2021.[14][15][16][17]

On November November of 2024, after Jon Erwin departed Kingdom Story Company to launch Wonder Project, it was announced that Kingdom Story Company and Lionsgate had renewed their first look deal for the third time, with the additional announcement that President and COO Brandon Gregory had been promoted to partner. [18]

In September of 2025, Kevin Downes stepped down from Kingdom to pursue his own productions and producer Joshua Walsh was brought on as Chief Production Officer. [19]

Filmography

Kingdom Story Company intends to produce two faith-based films per year.[8][2] [20][2] I Still Believe, based on Jeremy Camp's life during his first wife's cancer battle, was Kingdom's first film to be theatrically released. This was followed by American Underdog and The Jesus Music in 2021, Johnny Cash: The Redemption Of An American Icon in 2022, and Jesus Revolution, which is based on the events surrounding the Jesus Movement. Ordinary Angels, starring Hillary Swank and Alan Ritchson released in February of 2024, with Unsung Hero releasing in April of that year produced in cooperation with Christian music group For King and Country.[1][8][2][11] Dallas Jenkins (creator of The Chosen) then brought Barbara Robinson's story The Best Christmas Pageant Ever to life with Kingdom Story Company which released on November 7th, 2024.

In April of 2025, Kingdom Story Company began production on I Can Only Imagine 2, the sequel to their hit I Can Only Imagine. The movie was directed by Andrew Erwin and Brent McCorkle, earning a 4th A+ Cinema score for Erwin (one of 3 directors to have achieved this in their career)[21]. The sequel followed Bart Millard of MercyMe and newcomer Tim Timmons (portrayed by Milo Ventimiglia) to tell the story of the song "Even If".

Films

Film Director(s) Prospective year of release References
I Still Believe Erwin brothers 2020 [8][22][2][11][10][14][17]
The Jesus Music 2021
American Underdog [8][22][2][11][10][14][17]
Jesus Revolution Jon Erwin & Brent McCorkle 2023
Ordinary Angels Jon Gunn 2024
Unsung Hero Joel Smallbone and Richard Ramsey [23]
White Bird Marc Forster
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever Dallas Jenkins [24]
The Unbreakable Boy Jon Gunn 2025 [25][26]
Sarah's Oil Cyrus Nowrasteh [27]
I Can Only Imagine 2 Andrew Erwin and Brent McCorkle 2026 [28]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Mia Galuppo (March 27, 2019). "'I Can Only Imagine' Producers, Lionsgate Set Faith-Based Film Slate". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved August 24, 2019.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Michael Foust (March 28, 2019). "Erwins unveil details of unprecedented film venture". Baptist Press. Archived from the original on August 25, 2019. Retrieved August 24, 2019.
  3. ^ a b Michael Foust (October 18, 2018). "Erwins unveil next plans, envision 'Christian Pixar'". Baptist Press. Archived from the original on August 24, 2019. Retrieved August 24, 2019.
  4. ^ Jeannie Law (August 15, 2018). "New Christian Movies and TV Coming Soon; Lionsgate Signs Deal With 'I Can Only Imagine' Filmmakers". Christian Post. Retrieved August 24, 2019.
  5. ^ a b "Lionsgate Signs Multi-Platform Film and Television First-Look Deal With the Erwin Brothers and Kevin Downes". PRNewswire.com. August 9, 2018. Retrieved August 24, 2019.
  6. ^ "Lionsgate Studios Sign Erwin Brothers to Deal for Film & TV Projects". ChristianCinema.com. August 10, 2018. Archived from the original on August 24, 2019. Retrieved August 23, 2019.
  7. ^ Mirko Parlevliet (August 10, 2018). "Lionsgate Signs Film and TV Deal with the I Can Only Imagine Team". Vital Thrills. Retrieved January 18, 2020.
  8. ^ a b c d e Anthony D'Allessandro (March 27, 2019). "Kingdom Studios Unveils Faith-Based Lionsgate Slate: 'Jesus Revolution', 'Apostles: Resurrection Of Christ', 'Drummer Boy'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 23, 2019.
  9. ^ Caleb Parke (April 8, 2019). "Gary Sinise, KJ Apa will star in faith-based film 'I Still Believe' about singer Jeremy Camp". Fox News. Retrieved August 23, 2019.
  10. ^ a b c Anthony D'Allessandro (February 7, 2019). "Lionsgate Reunites With 'I Can Only Imagine' Team For 'I Still Believe' About Faith-Based Singer Jeremy Camp". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 24, 2019.
  11. ^ a b c d Mirko Parlevliet (March 27, 2019). "Kingdom Studios Announces Faith-Based Slate with Lionsgate". Vital Thrills. Retrieved August 28, 2019.
  12. ^ Jeannie Law (September 15, 2019). "Christian company Kingdom launches TV division run by 'Big Bang Theory' producer". Christian Post. Retrieved December 6, 2019.
  13. ^ Margeaux Sippell (September 10, 2019). "Mona Garcea Joins Faith-Based Kingdom Studios as Head of Television". The Wrap. Retrieved December 6, 2019.
  14. ^ a b c Dino-Ray Ramos (February 4, 2020). "Erwin Brothers To Direct Kurt Warner Biopic, 'Friday Night Lights' Scribe David Aaron Cohen To Write". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 4, 2020.
  15. ^ Mirko Parlevliet (February 4, 2020). "Erwin Brothers to Direct American Underdog: The Kurt Warner Story". Vital Thrills. Retrieved February 4, 2020.
  16. ^ Dave McNary (February 4, 2020). "Lionsgate Developing Movie on Former NFL Player Kurt Warner". Variety. Retrieved February 4, 2020.
  17. ^ a b c Etan Vlessing (February 4, 2020). "Kurt Warner Movie in the Works From Lionsgate and 'I Can Only Imagine' Team". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 4, 2020.
  18. ^ Company, Kingdom Story. "KINGDOM STORY COMPANY RENEWS THREE-YEAR FIRST-LOOK DEAL WITH LIONSGATE". www.prnewswire.com. Retrieved 2026-03-04. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  19. ^ "Josh Walsh | Producer, Additional Crew, Actor". IMDb. Retrieved 2026-03-04.
  20. ^ Michael Foust (March 28, 2019). "Filmmaker Erwin Brothers Announce 4 New Movies, Launch Studio". ChristianHeadlines.com. Retrieved August 23, 2019.
  21. ^ Foust, Michael; Crosswalk.com. "'I Can Only Imagine 2' Director Makes Movie History with Fourth A+ CinemaScore". AM 1100 KFAX. Retrieved 2026-03-04.
  22. ^ a b Leah MarieAnn Klett (March 29, 2019). "'I Can Only Imagine' team launches faith-based movie studio, announces four new films". Christian Post. Retrieved August 24, 2019.
  23. ^ Vlessing, Etan (August 1, 2023). "Lionsgate Nabs 'Unsung Hero' Drama from Music Duo For King + Country (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
  24. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (November 10, 2023). "Lionsgate & Kingdom Story Company Team With 'The Chosen' Creator Dallas Jenkins For 'The Best Christmas Pageant Ever', 2024 Theatrical Release Planned". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
  25. ^ "The Unbreakable Boy Announcement on Twitter". November 23, 2021. Retrieved December 6, 2021.
  26. ^ "The Unbreakable Boy: Release Date, Cast, And More". October 1, 2021. Retrieved December 6, 2021.
  27. ^ Grobar, Matt (August 5, 2024). "Zachary Levi & Naya Desir-Johnson To Topline Amazon MGM Drama 'Sarah's Oil'; Sonequa Martin-Green And Garret Dillahunt Among Others Set". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 5, 2024.
  28. ^ Stephan, Katcy (March 20, 2025). "'I Can Only Imagine 2' Sets March 2026 Release From Lionsgate (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved March 20, 2025.
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