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Contact: Press@TheWonderProject.com
The independent studio’s latest appointment reinforces its aim to redefine storytelling excellence and lead the global market in values-driven entertainment, led by a top-tier creative executive team committed to delivering inspiring, uplifting stories with unparalleled creative freedom.
LOS ANGELES, February 13, 2024 – The Wonder Project (TWP), a transformative new independent studio creating premium entertainment for the global faith and values audience, has named acclaimed writer, director, and producer Jon Gunn as its Head of Story.
Gunn, the director of the upcoming films Ordinary Angels and The Unbreakable Boy, will oversee the story development for The Wonder Project’s emerging slate of film and television programming, ensuring compelling and authentic storytelling that aligns with the company’s aspirational mission. With over 25 years of experience bringing inspirational stories to life on the big and small screen, Gunn will take on a pivotal role at the growing company while introducing a unique vision to the project, promising to elevate high-quality faith and family-based storytelling to new heights.
“It’s a rare and invaluable asset to have such dynamic storytellers, like Jon Gunn and Jon Erwin, steering the ship. They embody our mission to bring audiences the essential entertainment that speaks to their core values, and is as entertaining and meaningful as it is memorable, ” said Kelly Merryman Hoogstraten, CEO of TWP. “Here at the Wonder Project, the art of story is paramount, and our growing leadership reflects that commitment.”
“After writing and producing five films together, I could not be more excited about Jon leading our Story department. He’s a gifted filmmaker and true partner to storytellers,” said Jon Erwin, founder and chief content officer of TWP. “He has consistently proven he has the ability to create entertaining and theatrical films grounded in hope and redemption, and his career track record perfectly aligns with the uplifting, bridge-building stories we aim to tell.”
“What makes The Wonder Project special is it is led by filmmakers, committed to supporting and empowering other filmmakers,” said Gunn. “I’m honored to help shepherd and nurture that artistic freedom and to foster a truly collaborative environment that is fueled by a passion to tell the most compelling and emotional stories possible. My goal is to ensure that we’re not just creating for today, but building something that will endure for generations.”
Gunn is joining House of David – TWP’s sweeping Biblical drama series for Prime Video – as Executive Producer and co-directing several episodes with Erwin, as well as developing features. Gunn also directed the feature film Ordinary Angels, starring Hilary Swank and Alan Ritchson, which releases in theaters nationwide from Lionsgate and Kingdom Story Company on February 23, 2024, as well as The Unbreakable Boy, starring Zachary Levi, due in theaters February 2025.
About The WONDER Project
The Wonder Project is an independent studio creating premium film and television programming for global values, faith, and family audiences. Its leaders and financial backers include prominent entertainment and technology industry executives led by founder and Chief Content Officer Jon Erwin, CEO Kelly Merryman Hoogstraten, and special advisor Dallas Jenkins. Their collective goal is to build a trusted brand that serves this vast but underserved audience with inspiring, theatrical-quality programming. For more information, visit www.thewonderproject.com.
About Jon Gunn
Jon Gunn is a seasoned professional in the film industry with 25 years of experience as a writer, director, editor, and producer, working on a variety of projects from independent films to major studio releases. His directorial works include My Date With Drew, Like Dandelion Dust, and the upcoming The Unbreakable Boy, starring Zachary Levi, Patricia Heaton, Meghann Fahy, and Ordinary Angels, starring Hilary Swank and Alan Ritchson. Additionally, he has co-written several studio movies for major companies; he most recently demonstrated his versatile talent in the industry with co-writing and executive producing credits on such successful films as I Still Believe, American Underdog, and Jesus Revolution, which grossed $53 million in theaters nationwide.