In this interview with the cast of I Can Only Imagine 2, they discuss faith, fame, and why isolation can be the worst thing for anyone.
Building on the massive success of the 2018 hit, I Can Only Imagine 2 continues the inspiring and deeply personal journey of MercyMe frontman Bart Millard. While the first film centered on the redemption of his relationship with his father, this sequel explores the happily ever after that isn’t always so simple. Picking up as fame takes hold, the story explores the weight of life on the road and the inspiration behind the hit song “Even If”. The film navigates the complexities of faith, the pressures of success, and the challenges of fatherhood, specifically focusing on the life-changing diagnosis of Bart’s son, Sam.
Directed by Andrew Erwin and Brent McCorkle, the movie brings back familiar faces like John Michael Finley and Dennis Quaid, while adding new talent like Milo Ventimiglia and Sophie Skelton to the fold, bringing a message of gratitude and hope to theaters on February 20, 2026.
Mama’s Geeky caught up with the cast and creators for an interview. We dive into the deep personal connections formed during the production and the weight of portraying real-life figures who were often right there on set. The talent discussed the unsung heroes of the story – the wives and mothers who hold families together – and the surreal experience of returning to a world that meant so much to audiences nearly a decade ago.
We also explored the three links of the story: the transition from Bart’s relationship with his father, Arthur, to his own journey as a father to Sam. From Milo Ventimiglia’s quiet study of musician Tim Timmons to Dennis Quaid’s emotional goodbye to the character of Arthur Millard, these conversations highlight a shared commitment to authenticity and the power of finding beauty in the midst of life’s fire.
Returning to the World of MercyMe
Mama’s Geeky: What was it like getting to step back into this world and tell more of Bart’s story?
Bart Millard: “I know we’re dealing with some heavy material, just like the first film. And I love how much ground we cover. I don’t want to spoil anything, but I mean, we cover everything from type one diabetes to birth in the family to loss of faith to trauma”. He added, “I never would have thought that we were going back into this. Like, I think most people would never think their story’s worth being told that way”.
John Michael Finley: “It was pretty surreal. It felt like no time had passed for me, at least. Getting the band back together… it’s just a happy school reunion where everyone’s a little bit older”. He noted the significance of the continuing narrative: “The father-son story, Arthur and Bart, and then, you know, it’s continuing on with Bart and his son. It becomes a chain, then, where you have three links”.
Dennis Quaid: “I stepped into it with a lot of fear and trepidation, you know, because I loved the first movie so much… and we found a way in to tell the rest of the story that completes it”. Reflecting on a poignant scene, he shared, “I saw Dennis across the fire with John Michael playing Bart, and just was flooded with so much emotion to be able to say goodbye to these characters that we love”.
Andy Erwin: “It’s the sequel that people didn’t know they needed, and so it completes the story. To step back on that stage and to be able to bring back all the original players, it was pretty surreal”. He emphasized the grounded nature of the film, saying, “Our memories are really our love… it doesn’t have to be some big climactic thing. Memories are everything that you have”.
Portraying Real-Life Figures
Mama’s Geeky: For the newcomers, how did you tackle the challenge of playing real-life people who were often right there with you?
Milo Ventimiglia: “The fun thing for me is not only was I getting to know Tim just human to human level, right. But I was also trying to quietly study him without letting him know I was studying him”. He continued, “When you’re around Tim Timmons, you just absorb who he is because he’s giving so much of who he is, of his goodness, of his grace, of his gratitude”.
Tim Timmons: “He’s just smiling and crying. I’m like, OK, I guess it was OK to share. It was so beautiful… a little creepy, but beautiful”. Reflecting on the portrayal, he said, “Milo really reflected that [goodness] in the film. And it’s something I’m really excited for people to kind of be able to see”.
Sophie Skelton: “I think for us, there was a lot of times we were like, well, thank God you’re here. Like, let’s hear it for the women”. On playing Shannon Millard, she noted, “They really were, you know, the way they weren’t coming up and saying, ‘Oh, but I wouldn’t do it like that.’ They’re very much like ‘it’s yours now'”.
Arielle Kebbel: “Both these women are almost like ninjas, because they don’t even, like, talk about what they have to do. They just get it done”. She added, “Being able to see the relationship of two women like, you know, the bond they have with each other… to have these two women have each other is really powerful”.
Joining the “Imagine” Family
Mama’s Geeky: Sammy, what was it like joining this established family and playing such a pivotal role?
Sammy Dell: “It can be a little scary at first. You’re jumping into already like established thing with some pretty established people”. Despite the nerves, he shared, “It’s a dream to be able to sit next to these two guys and talk about a movie that I’m doing with them. I felt so welcomed into like this family of I can only imagine”.
The Power of Shared Struggles
Mama’s Geeky: Can you share more about the themes of isolation and connection explored in the film?
Bart Millard: “I never want to do it to, as if my story is worth telling, it’s more doing it so that other people can realize they’re not alone, and what they’re going through”. He further explained, “Isolation is the worst thing that can happen when you’re going through hard stuff. And so, yeah, as long as people realize we’re not alone in this thing, it’s got to help”.
Milo Ventimiglia: “In terms of playing a real life human being, it was kind of easy because I was left every experience, every conversation we had… it was hard not to just like fall in line, fall in step with what he was giving”. He also mentioned showing Tim his research: “Where it got weird was when I actually showed Tim my file on him… I’d go back to videos of him singing with his kids”.
Tim Timmons: “For us to do this together and like to be friends, become friends and like him to play this role, it’s like, oh, I feel so seen in this movie as just as a human and with my relationship with my wife”. He also joked about their resemblance: “How to be this good looking was the biggest thing he was having to work on”.
Sophie Skelton: “How do you navigate like all these emotions, like holding the family together, supporting your partner on the road, acknowledging your own loneliness or your own struggles?”. She added, “Shannon’s going through grief, too. So yeah, yeah, they’re super inspiring women”.
Arielle Kebbel: “Hillary is so funny. And they’re and they’re such jokesters. And like, listen, Tim is really funny. So to be able to keep up with him, you got to like hold your own”. She also noted her closeness with the real family: “I sort of self signed my adoption papers from the Miller family… we still talk a lot”.
Dennis Quaid: “Success doesn’t solve all the problems of the world. Life goes on”. He concluded with the impact of the final scene: “It was the very last day of shooting… it’s really a creation of Bart’s memory of his father, and it turned out to be special”.
Be sure to watch our full video interview with the cast of I Can Only Imagine 2 for more behind-the-scenes details. I Can Only Imagine 2 will only be In Theaters on February 20, 2026.
