SANTA MONICA, Calif., and
VANCOUVER, British Columbia,
Aug. 9, 2018 /PRNewswire/
-- Significantly expanding its footprint in the growing
faith-based market, global content leader Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF.A,
LGF.B) has signed a multi-platform film and television first-look
deal with Andrew and Jon Erwin and
producing partner Kevin Downes, the
filmmaking team behind this year's box office hit I Can Only
Imagine, which was released by Lionsgate and sister
company Roadside Attractions. The announcement was made today by
Lionsgate Motion Picture Group Chairman, Joe Drake, and Television Group Chairman,
Kevin Beggs.
As part of the multi-year agreement, the Erwin Brothers and
Downes will develop, produce and direct feature films and
television programming for the Company under their newly-created
Kingdom banner. The deal follows Lionsgate's breakout successes in
the faith-based community, which include the double Oscar® winner
Hacksaw Ridge, The Shack, and most recently, I Can
Only Imagine, the highest grossing movie in Roadside's
history.
The Erwin Brothers are one of only a handful of directors to
have received a rare A+ CinemaScore twice, having accomplished the
feat on I Can Only Imagine and Woodlawn. Downes and the Erwins have been
building their brand in the rapidly growing inspirational
faith-based family market, having collaborated on three films in
the last five years that have all opened in the top 10 movies in
America. The Erwins have also directed numerous acclaimed
documentaries and music videos, and Downes, a 20-year industry
veteran, has produced 15 features.
"We're proud to expand our relationship with Andrew, Jon and
Kevin through this exciting and collaborative, cross-divisional
partnership," said Drake and Beggs. "This deal underscores our
ongoing commitment to serve moviegoers with premium, faith-based
content. We look forward to working with the Erwin Brothers and
Kevin on film and television projects that resonate not only with
the faith-based community but with viewers everywhere."
"Our dream for launching Kingdom is to create the most trusted
and respected brand in faith-based entertainment. We needed a
partner that would catch that dream with us and Lionsgate
is the perfect fit," said Jon Erwin.
"They aren't like any other studio we've ever worked with and they
have a passion to empower creative entrepreneurs. We can't wait to
work together on some exciting new projects."
"Our creative ambition and directing sweetspot is to tell
redemptive, inspirational stories that appeal to audiences
everywhere. We need optimism and hope more than ever today, and
those are the stories we love to tell," added Andrew Erwin.
"We're thrilled to begin this new venture with Joe, Kevin and
the rest of the incredible Lionsgate team," said Downes. "We have
seen firsthand how Lionsgate champions an artist's individuality
and creativity. They have a proven track-record for reaching
targeted audiences with diverse, high-end content and we could not
be more thrilled to call Lionsgate our new home."
The Erwin Brothers and Downes join Lionsgate's elite portfolio
of creative partnerships which includes Paul Feig, Eugenio
Derbez, Kevin Hart,
Eric and Kim Tannenbaum,
Justin Simien, Courtney Kemp, Yvette
Lee Bowser, Ed Zwick &
Marshall Herskovitz, and
John Goldwyn, among others.
The deal was negotiated for Lionsgate by Motion Picture Group's
Jason Constantine, President of
Acquisitions and Co-Productions, Eda
Kowan, Executive Vice President, Acquisitions and
Co-Productions, Bonnie Stylides,
Executive Vice President, Business & Legal Affairs, and
Adrian Lopez, Senior Vice President,
Business & Legal Affairs.
The Erwin Brothers and Downes are represented by WME's
Dave Wirtschafter and Matthew Johnson at Ziffren, Brittenham.
ABOUT LIONSGATE
The first major new studio in decades,
Lionsgate is a global content platform whose films, television
series, digital products and linear and over-the-top platforms
reach next generation audiences around the world. In addition
to its filmed entertainment leadership, Lionsgate content drives a
growing presence in interactive and location-based entertainment,
gaming, virtual reality and other new entertainment
technologies. Lionsgate's content initiatives are backed by a
16,000-title film and television library and delivered through a
global licensing infrastructure. The Lionsgate brand is
synonymous with original, daring and ground-breaking content
created with special emphasis on the evolving patterns and diverse
composition of the Company's worldwide consumer
base.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Cristina Castañeda
CCastaneda@lionsgate.com
(310) 255-5114
Steve Elzer
steve@elzerassociates.com for Kingdom
(213) 607-3591
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SOURCE Lionsgate