“Jesus Revolution” director Jon Erwin expressed gratitude to entertainment giant Lionsgate Monday as news broke that his hit film continues to sizzle at the box office.
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“It’s amazing to see audiences back in theaters again and I’m grateful to be a parter with Lionsgate as we rebuild the theatrical experience we all love and missed!” Erwin told CBN’s Faithwire. “‘Jesus Revolution’ is an amazing experience with an audience.”
And audiences seem to agree with that assessment. The movie, which opened Feb. 24, has made $39,453,451 at the box office over three weeks, exceeding expectations at every turn.
And, according to Erwin, “Jesus Revolution” has also broken another barrier: it reportedly made the most domestic box office revenue for any Lionsgate movie since 2019.
As CBN’s Faithwire previously reported, Erwin also recently made history with “Jesus Revolution.”
The movie scored an A+ CinemaScore rating, a rare feat in Hollywood and an indication audiences truly love the film. A CinemaScore rating, ranging from A+ to F, measures fans’ reactions to major feature film releases on opening night.
Getting an A+ is hard to accomplish, but, beyond that measure, “Jesus Revolution” broke another boundary: it made Erwin the first filmmaker in cinematic history to achieve four A+ CinemaScores.
It’s an accomplishment even famed director Steven Spielberg has never attained.
Erwin previously told CBN’s Faithwire he’s deeply honored by the achievement.
“It’s amazing,” he said. “I’m grateful.”
Watch Erwin discuss:
Erwin said his primary passion is serving the audience with a powerful message through film, which is why he finds attaining so many A+ scores on an audience-based measure so exciting.
“Everything we do — it’s not about us; it’s about the people in the seats and the experience they’re having with the film,” Erwin said. “And I think, so many artists, a lot of times are like, ‘The audience should be there for me … for my creative genius.’”
The “Jesus Revolution” team has repeatedly discussed relying on the Lord throughout the moving-making process.
Producer Kevin Downes recently told CBN’s “Faith vs. Culture” how authentic faith drove the filmmakers’ efforts.
He described feeling filled with peace and experiencing a calmness about two weeks before “Jesus Revolution” was released, totally turning the project over to God.
“I felt that peace in my heart and … I remember praying, ‘Lord, just take this film. It is now yours. Whatever happens, happens,’” Downes said, “And that was two weeks before the release.”
Read more about that here.
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