Yahoo Lifestyle Four Board Lionsgate & Kingdom Story Company’s ‘I Can Only Imagine 2’
Lionsgate and Kingdom Story Company have set Arielle Kebbel, Joshua Bassett, Sophie Skelton and Sammy Dell to star opposite Milo Ventimiglia and returning cast members John Finley, Trace Adkins and Dennis Quaid in I Can Only Imagine 2.
The faith-based film continues the inspirational true story of Bart Millard (Finley), the lead singer of the Christian band MercyMe. Cameras roll in April in Nashville.
More from Deadline
Kebbel will play Hilary Timmons, wife of Ventimiglia’s Tim Timmons. Bassett will play Bart’s brother-in-law Christopher, with Skelton taking over the role of Bart’s wife, Shannon. The film will also introduce Dell in his first theatrical film role, playing Bart’s son Sam.
The sequel will be directed by Andrew Erwin and Brent McCorkle from a screenplay written by McCorkle. Producers include Kevin Downes, Andrew Erwin, Cindy Bond, Bart Millard, Daryl Lefever and Joshua Walsh.
“We couldn’t be more thrilled with the level of talent that has come together to continue this extraordinary story,” Downes said.
Said Erwin: “The first I Can Only Imagine film 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.”
I Can Only Imagine minted more than $83 million at the domestic box office and was a surprise hit in 2018. It centered on the true story of Millard’s troubled relationship with his father that eventually inspired the hit song “I Can Only Imagine.”
Kebbel currently stars on the Fox series Rescue: HI-Surf. She has appeared in TV series Ballers and Midnight Texas, while also starring in films such as John Tucker Must Die, The Grudge 2 and Fifty Shades Freed. She is represented by Independent Artist Group, Untitled Entertainment, and Hansen, Jacobson, Teller, Hoberman, Newman, Warren, Richman, Rush, Kaller, Gellman, Meigs & Fox.
Bassett starred for four seasons on Disney Channel’s High School Musical: The Musical: The Series; for his work, he was honored with a Children’s and Family Emmy Award for Best Original Song in 2023, and this year received a second nomination in the category. Last year, he released his debut studio LP, The Golden Years. He is represented by UTA and Jackoway Austen Tyerman Wertheimer Mandelbaum Morris Bernstein Trattner Auerbach Hynick Jaime LeVine Sample & Klein.
Skelton stars as Bree Fraser McKenzie on the Starz series Outlander. She is represented by Independent Talent Group, Alchemy Entertainment, and Jackoway Austen.
Dell’s credits include the Disney+ film Trevor: The Musical and he appearances on Bull and Law & Order: SVU. He is represented by Take 3 Talent Agency, Rebel Creative Group, and Vainshtein Law, P.C.
Best of Deadline
How Jon Gries’ Return To ‘The White Lotus’ Could Shape Season 3
Everything We Know About ‘Nobody Wants This’ Season 2 So Far
Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
