Amazon MGM Studios has partnered with The Wonder Project to produce faith-based films and series, Variety has learned. Under the deal, Amazon has ordered the series “House of David” for Prime Video.
The Wonder Project was recently launched by veteran producer Jon Erwin and entertainment executive Kelly Merryman Hoogstraten. Dallas Jenkins, the creator and producer-director of the hit Biblical series “The Chosen,” is a large shareholder and special advisor to the company.
“When we met with Jon, Kelly, and Dallas, their clear and passionate vision for The Wonder Project and their ambition to nurture universal stories of love, triumph, and spirituality moved us.” said Vernon Sanders, head of television for Amazon MGM Studios. “We are very excited about the scope, scale and storytelling involved with ‘House of David’ and look forward to sharing this epic and many others with our global Prime Video customers.”
“House of David” tells the story of David,...
The Wonder Project was recently launched by veteran producer Jon Erwin and entertainment executive Kelly Merryman Hoogstraten. Dallas Jenkins, the creator and producer-director of the hit Biblical series “The Chosen,” is a large shareholder and special advisor to the company.
“When we met with Jon, Kelly, and Dallas, their clear and passionate vision for The Wonder Project and their ambition to nurture universal stories of love, triumph, and spirituality moved us.” said Vernon Sanders, head of television for Amazon MGM Studios. “We are very excited about the scope, scale and storytelling involved with ‘House of David’ and look forward to sharing this epic and many others with our global Prime Video customers.”
“House of David” tells the story of David,...
- 1/17/2024
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Amazon MGM Studios is getting spiritual.
The company announced Wednesday that it’s brokered a partnership with the recently formed Wonder Project, which bills itself as an independent studio designed to “develop series and films rooted in spirituality.” The latter is led by veteran producer Jon Erwin (Jesus Revolution) and former Netflix and YouTube exec Kelly Merryman Hoogstraten, and counts The Chosen creator Dallas Jenkins among its largest shareholders and special advisers. As part of the new pact, Prime Video has already ordered its first project, House of David, to series.
Per Amazon, the logline reads: “House of David follows the once-mighty King Saul as he falls victim to his own pride. A prophet prepares to overthrow him — anointing the outcast shepherd boy David as a second king. As Saul’s fury grows, David navigates love, violence and politics in the court of the very man he’s destined to replace.
The company announced Wednesday that it’s brokered a partnership with the recently formed Wonder Project, which bills itself as an independent studio designed to “develop series and films rooted in spirituality.” The latter is led by veteran producer Jon Erwin (Jesus Revolution) and former Netflix and YouTube exec Kelly Merryman Hoogstraten, and counts The Chosen creator Dallas Jenkins among its largest shareholders and special advisers. As part of the new pact, Prime Video has already ordered its first project, House of David, to series.
Per Amazon, the logline reads: “House of David follows the once-mighty King Saul as he falls victim to his own pride. A prophet prepares to overthrow him — anointing the outcast shepherd boy David as a second king. As Saul’s fury grows, David navigates love, violence and politics in the court of the very man he’s destined to replace.
- 1/17/2024
- by Lacey Rose
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
One of the founding members of the American country music group Dixie Chicks, Laura Lynch, died in a car crash in West Texas on Friday evening (US Pacific Time), her cousin Michael Lynch told CBS News, according to ‘Variety’.
Lynch, the group’s bassist, shared lead vocal duties on the band now officially known as just The Chicks with co-founder Robin Lynn Macy until Macy’s departure in 1993, at which point she became the sole frontwoman. She was replaced by Natalie Maines in 1995.
Chicks members Maines, Martie Maguire and Emily Strayer (previously Erwin) issued a joint statement on Lynch’s death: “We are shocked and saddened to learn of the passing of Laura Lynch, a founding member of The Chicks. We hold a special place in our hearts for the time we spent playing music, laughing and travelling together.
“Laura was a bright light … her infectious energy and humour gave...
Lynch, the group’s bassist, shared lead vocal duties on the band now officially known as just The Chicks with co-founder Robin Lynn Macy until Macy’s departure in 1993, at which point she became the sole frontwoman. She was replaced by Natalie Maines in 1995.
Chicks members Maines, Martie Maguire and Emily Strayer (previously Erwin) issued a joint statement on Lynch’s death: “We are shocked and saddened to learn of the passing of Laura Lynch, a founding member of The Chicks. We hold a special place in our hearts for the time we spent playing music, laughing and travelling together.
“Laura was a bright light … her infectious energy and humour gave...
- 12/24/2023
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
Laura Lynch, a founding member of the Dixie Chicks (now the Chicks) who played on the country act’s first three albums, has died at the age of 65.
Lynch died following injuries sustained in a car accident on a highway outside of El Paso, Texas, TMZ first reported and the Texas Department of Public Safety later confirmed. Lynch’s former Chicks bandmates also confirmed Lynch’s death in a statement on social media.
“We are shocked and saddened to learn of the passing of Laura Lynch, a founding member of The Chicks,...
Lynch died following injuries sustained in a car accident on a highway outside of El Paso, Texas, TMZ first reported and the Texas Department of Public Safety later confirmed. Lynch’s former Chicks bandmates also confirmed Lynch’s death in a statement on social media.
“We are shocked and saddened to learn of the passing of Laura Lynch, a founding member of The Chicks,...
- 12/23/2023
- by Daniel Kreps
- Rollingstone.com
Kingdom Story Company Appoints Partners Kevin Downes As CEO & Andrew Erwin As Chief Creative Officer
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...
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...
- 12/14/2023
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Netflix has renewed the critically acclaimed animated action series Blue Eye Samurai for a second season.
Set in Edo-period Japan, Blue Eye Samurai, from Amber Noizumi and Michael Green, follows Mizu (voiced by Maya Erskine), a mixed-race master of the sword who lives a life in disguise seeking the deliverance of revenge.
Voice cast also includes George Takei (Seki), Masi Oka (Ringo), Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa (The Swordmaker), Brenda Song (Akemi), Darren Barnet (Taigen), Randall Park (Heiji Shindo), and Kenneth Branagh (Abijah Fowler). Supporting voice cast includes Stephanie Hsu (Ise), Ming-Na Wen (Madame Kaji), Harry Shum Jr. (Takayoshi) and Mark Dacascos (Chiaki), among others.
“When we started this project, we made a commitment to take this very personal story set in Edo-period Japan and bring it to life in the most authentic and beautiful way possible. Our animators, historians, musicians, martial artists and voice cast made this a reality beyond our expectations,...
Set in Edo-period Japan, Blue Eye Samurai, from Amber Noizumi and Michael Green, follows Mizu (voiced by Maya Erskine), a mixed-race master of the sword who lives a life in disguise seeking the deliverance of revenge.
Voice cast also includes George Takei (Seki), Masi Oka (Ringo), Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa (The Swordmaker), Brenda Song (Akemi), Darren Barnet (Taigen), Randall Park (Heiji Shindo), and Kenneth Branagh (Abijah Fowler). Supporting voice cast includes Stephanie Hsu (Ise), Ming-Na Wen (Madame Kaji), Harry Shum Jr. (Takayoshi) and Mark Dacascos (Chiaki), among others.
“When we started this project, we made a commitment to take this very personal story set in Edo-period Japan and bring it to life in the most authentic and beautiful way possible. Our animators, historians, musicians, martial artists and voice cast made this a reality beyond our expectations,...
- 12/12/2023
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
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,...
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,...
- 12/6/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Two industry insiders have raised more than $75 million to fund the launch of a studio that aims to elevate production values for faith-based, uplifting and inspirational movies and TV shows.
Director-producer Jon Erwin and former YouTube and Netflix executive Kelly Merryman Hoogstraten have joined forces to create the Wonder Project, a production company based in Los Angeles and Austin, Texas. The pair see an enormous opportunity to establish a premium brand for faith-based and faith-infused content that is rooted in Christian traditions.
Lionsgate, producer Jason Blum, United Talent Agency, Sovereign’s Capital and Powerhouse Capital are among the notables who have contributed to more than $75 million in seed and Series A funding raised to date. Merryman Hoogstraten serves as CEO; Erwin is chief creative officer. Dallas Jenkins, the independent producer-director behind the drama series “The Chosen,” which revolves around the life of Jesus, will be a special adviser to the company.
Director-producer Jon Erwin and former YouTube and Netflix executive Kelly Merryman Hoogstraten have joined forces to create the Wonder Project, a production company based in Los Angeles and Austin, Texas. The pair see an enormous opportunity to establish a premium brand for faith-based and faith-infused content that is rooted in Christian traditions.
Lionsgate, producer Jason Blum, United Talent Agency, Sovereign’s Capital and Powerhouse Capital are among the notables who have contributed to more than $75 million in seed and Series A funding raised to date. Merryman Hoogstraten serves as CEO; Erwin is chief creative officer. Dallas Jenkins, the independent producer-director behind the drama series “The Chosen,” which revolves around the life of Jesus, will be a special adviser to the company.
- 12/6/2023
- by Cynthia Littleton
- Variety Film + TV
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