The Erwin Brothers are no doubt hoping to recreate the magic of their huge box office hit about Christian music star Bart Millard.
With more than $83 million in domestic ticket sales, I Can Only Imagine became the third highest grossing picture in the Christian genre during its theatrical run in 2018 (The Passion of the Christ is first at $370 million, and Heaven is for Real is second with $91 million). So, it is not surprising that I Can Only Imagine 2 is going back to the well, as it were, focusing again on MercyMe lead singer Bart Millard.
A different number one song - Even If - is featured in this movie, but much else remains the same, including the filmmakers: the brother duo of Andrew and Jon Erwin, currently the top team in the genre, will lead the way via their Kingdom Story Company. They launched that studio in 2019 after the success of I Can Only Imagine, and did so in partnership with Lionsgate, which has worked with them on all subsequent films, including hits like I Still Believe (2020), American Underdog (2021), and Jesus Revolution (2023), and will do so on this new one, too.
The brothers, who are committed Believers, will direct the movie together with Brent McCorkle, who is again writing the screenplay. Lead actor John Michael Finley is to reprise his role as Millard, and Dennis Quaid and Trace Adkins are back as his father and manager, respectively, while Milo Ventimiglia joins as a new character.
A synopsis for the picture points out that it is focused on a "personal crisis" faced by Millard while he is "at the peak of his success." The lyrics from Even If also speak to what was at play in the singer/songwriter's life at the time and how he nonetheless trusted in the Lord: "I know the sorrow, and I know the hurt would all go away if You'd just say the word, but even if You don't, my hope is You alone."
There is no word yet on when production will launch, let alone when the movie will release in theaters. Christian Film Blog will bring you updates, however, as we get them.