Lionsgate and Kingdom Story Company are preparing to enter production on a sequel to “I Can Only Imagine,” the 2018 breakout hit faith-based film that led to the launch of Kingdom the following year.
“This is Us” star Milo Ventimiglia will join the cast as singer-songwriter Tim Timmons. John Michael Finley will reprise his role as Bart Millard, founder of the Christian organization MercyMe, alongside Dennis Quaid and Trace Adkins.
Andrew Erwin, who directed “I Can Only Imagine” with his brother Jon, returns to direct the sequel with screenwriter Brent McCorkle. Erwin will produce with Millard, Kevin Downes, Cindy Bond, Daryl Lefever and Joshua Walsh.
Adam Fogelson, president of Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, said: “We are delighted to once again support Kingdom in this sequel to the Bart story and are confident that its winning combination of emotional reality and natural center will be successful with audiences in everyone. world. »
“I Can Only Imagine” retells the story of Millard’s life and career with MercyMe, culminating in the writing of the titular song which still stands as the most successful Christian music single of all time.
The film, produced on a budget of $7 million, grossed $83 million at the box office and established Jon and Andrew Erwin as one of the most productive religious filmmakers. With the proceeds from the film, they created Kingdom Story Company with an initial distribution deal with Lionsgate.
While Lionsgate had a bad year at the box office, its association with Kingdom remained a bright spot as its latest release, “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” a theatrical fortune that grossed $37. 2 million. and has a budget that is reportedly less than $10 million. The sequel to “I Can Only Imagine” will be released via Lionsgate under a revamped first-look deal reached last month.
“I Can Only Imagine captured the hearts of audiences when it was released, and continues to provide hope and encouragement to millions around the globe,” said Downes. “The success of that film led to the founding of Kingdom Story Company, where our mission is to tell stories that ignite a ‘rush of hope,’ and so we are thrilled that we get to return to this world and explore the rest of Bart’s incredible journey in our company’s first sequel.”
Ventimiglia is represented through WME, Entertainment 360 and McKuin Frankel Whitehead.