The gears are turning quickly on Lionsgate’sI Can Only Imaginesequel after the announcement thatMilo Ventimigliawouldstar in the long-awaited follow-upto the 2018 hit drama. Four new cast members have been brought in to join him for the Kingdom Story Company production, including currentRescue: HI-Surfstar andJohn Tucker Must DiealumArielle KebbelalongsideJoshua Bassett(High School Musical: The Musical: The Series),Sophie Skelton(Outlander), andSammy Dell(Law & Order: SVU). The quartet and Ventimiglia are also accompanied by three returning stars from the original inJohn Finley,Trace Adkins, andDennis Quaid. With a reinforced call sheet, cameras are ready to begin rolling on the faith-based sequel in Nashville next month.
I Can Only Imagine 2is the next chapter in the inspirational story of singer-songwriterBart Millard(Finley), who rose to fame with his bandMercyMethanks to his breakout hit single that the film’s title is taken from. Where the first installment centered on the musician’s relationship with his father (Quaid) that inspired the song, the sequel appears tobe expanding both his world and the wider music industry,if the castings are any indication. Kebbel will be playingHilary Timmons, the wife of Millard’s fellow breakout Christian artistTim Timmons(Ventimiglia). Everyone else has been tapped to play Millard’s family members, with Skelton replacingMadeline Carrollas his now-wife Shannon, Bassett playing his brother-in-law Christopher, and Dell making his theatrical debut as his son, Sam.
While the original film was directed by brothersJon and Andrew Erwin, only the latter is returning behind the camera for the sequel. However, he’ll have a new partner inI Can Only Imagine’s co-writerBrent McCorkle, who will also reprise his role as the screenplay writer. Millard joins Erwin as a producer alongside Kevin Downes, Cindy Bond, Bart Millard, Daryl Lefever, and Joshua Walsh. Together, they hope to recreate the magic of the first film after it became a breakout success with $83 million at the box office despitefacing major releaseslikeReady Player OneandBlack Panther. Erwin is hopeful the new injection of talent will help power the continuation forward, saying in a statement, “The firstI Can Only Imaginefilm was such a rare magical moment, and with Brent’s script,this new film will complete Bart’s journey in such a satisfying way. It feels like it was always meant to be.”
Where Have We Seen ‘I Can Only Imagine 2’s New Stars?
The news sets upa miniGilmore GirlsreunionwithinI Can Only Imagine 2, as Kebbel previously appeared in Seasons 3 and 4 of the series as the wife ofJaredPadalecki’sDean Forester, while Ventimiglia played Jess Mariano. She’s also known for her past roles in horror flicksThe UninvitedandThe Grudge 2as well as shows likeBallersandMidnight Texas. Aside from his four seasons on Disney’sHigh School Musical: The Musical: The Series, Bassett just released his debut studio LP, “The Golden Years,” last year, while Skelton isgearing up for the eighth and final seasonofOutlanderfollowing the penultimate run’s explosive end this year. Rounding out the additions, the relative newcomer Dell has thus far racked up appearances inBullandTrevor: The Musical, in addition to a small role in theLaw & Orderuniverse.
Production begins onI Can Only Imagine 2next month. Stay tuned here at Collider for more on the film as work gets underway.
I Can Only Imagine
