Tour Featuring MercyMe with Special Guest Jeremy Camp Announced

NEWS PROVIDED BY
EPIC
Oct. 29, 2019

NASHVILLE, Oct. 29, 2019 /Christian Newswire/ -- Lionsgate and Kingdom Story Company, headed by co-CEO's Jon Erwin and Kevin Downes, announced today that MercyMe lead vocalist and frontman Bart Millard will executive produce I STILL BELIEVE, the highly anticipated biopic about contemporary Christian music artist Jeremy Camp. The film is scheduled for nationwide release on March 20, 2020 and stars KJ Apa ("Riverdale"), Britt Robertson (A DOG'S PURPOSE), Shania Twain, and Gary Sinise (FORREST GUMP, "CSI:NY").

Millard's life was portrayed in the 2018 hit film I CAN ONLY IMAGINE, earning $83 million at the box office, a rare A+ CinemaScore, and praise from critics and audiences alike. Now, Millard will executive produce the film alongside Camp.

"One of the overarching themes shared between both films is the power of song," said filmmaker Jon Erwin, who created both I CAN ONLY IMAGINE and I STILL BELIEVE with brother Andrew Erwin and Kevin Downes. "The love for the chart-topping I CAN ONLY IMAGINE song translated into millions of fans discovering the story behind the song through the film, making it the surprise hit of 2018. Now, we're honored to bring the love story of Jeremy and Melissa Camp to the screen in I STILL BELIEVE. The track was Jeremy's first hit song, born out of an intensely personal and redemptive season, and KJ Apa's performance really drives home the power of faith."

"We were on tour with Jeremy Camp years ago when both 'I Can Only Imagine' and 'I Still Believe' were first out, and we felt a kinship with Jeremy from the start," said Millard. "For all of this to come full circle twenty years later in this way is a testimony to the Lord's faithfulness. I'm honored to be a part of this film and I'm looking forward to the movie's themes of love and redemption impacting audiences."

Additionally, MercyMe will be embarking on a winter/spring "MercyMe 20/20" tour that will feature Jeremy Camp as a special guest. Marking the first time a tour has served to unite two motion pictures, the tour will feature engaging content from I STILL BELIEVE as well as an interactive red carpet experience for fans. Details for the tour including planned cities will be forthcoming.

"Having Bart as an EP on I STILL BELIEVE is incredible," said Downes. "The same audience who loved I CAN ONLY IMAGINE is going to absolutely embrace I STILL BELIEVE, so joining forces for a tour will be a great experience for the fans and a new way to highlight the films."

One love can change your life. From the creators of I CAN ONLY IMAGINE comes an inspiring love story for the ages. Rediscover the wonder of love in I STILL BELIEVE, based on the real-life story of chart-topping singer Jeremy Camp. A hopeful reminder that faith tested is faith worth sharing, I STILL BELIEVE opens in theaters everywhere beginning 3.20.20.

Jeremy Camp is a Grammy®-nominated singer and songwriter who has sold over 5 million albums and has toured the world, sharing his music in more than 36 countries. He's received numerous landmark accolades including four RIAA-certified Gold albums, two American Music Awards nominations, multiple ASCAP awards, 38 No. 1 songs, a Gold digital single ("There Will Be A Day"), a multi-Platinum DVD and was Billboard's #2 artist of the decade in 2010.

ABOUT LIONSGATE:
The first major new studio in decades, Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF.A, LGF.B) is a global content leader 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, video games, esports and other new entertainment technologies. Lionsgate's content initiatives are backed by a nearly 17,000-title film and television library and delivered through a global sales and distribution 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.

ABOUT KINGDOM STORY COMPANY:
From the creators of I CAN ONLY IMAGINE comes Kingdom Story Company, a new entertainment content company in partnership with Lionsgate. Helmed by Jon Erwin, Andy Erwin, Kevin Downes and Tony Young, the company endeavors to create life-changing content from a variety of talented storytellers.

ABOUT MERCYME:
Since their debut in 2001, GRAMMY® nominated, multiple American Music Award and Dove Award winners MercyMe have sold more than 9 million units in CD, single and DVD sales, garnered more than 57 No. 1 multi-format radio singles and four consecutive mainstream radio hits with "I Can Only Imagine," (No. 4 AC/Top 25 on Top 40/Hot AC), "Here With Me" (No. 4 AC), "Homesick" (Top 10 AC) and "So Long Self." MercyMe made history in 2014 as "I Can Only Imagine" surpassed 2 million digital downloads, making it the first song in Christian music to go platinum and double-platinum in the digital domain. The album containing the hit, Almost There, recently received triple platinum certification from the RIAA. In 2009, Billboard named MercyMe's "Word Of God Speak" the No. 1 Song of The Decade and the group the No. 1 Artist of the Decade in both the Christian Songs and Christian AC Songs categories, recognizing them as one of the industry's most notable talents. They have sold out venues throughout the US and Canada, including Radio City Music Hall, and have appeared on the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, The Today Show, CBS This Morning, FOX New Channel's FOX & Friends, CNN, ABC News and in the pages of Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, USA Today and more. MercyMe's eighth studio album, the RIAA Certified Gold Welcome To The New, garnered two GRAMMY® nods and four radio hits. LIFER, their latest chart-topping, GMA Dove Award winning and GRAMMY® nominated album, includes the RIAA certified gold, GRAMMY® nominated smash hit "Even If" which dominated the Billboard and Mediabase radio charts with a 19-week streak at No. 1.

SOURCE EPIC

CONTACT: FOR LIONSGATE/KINGDOM: Steve@elzerassociates.com, 213-607-3591; Jennifer Willingham, 615-483-4729, jennifer@epic.inc

FOR MERCYME: Velvet Kelm, 615-591-7989, velvet@themcollective.com