By Kayla DeKraker
For actresses Sophie Skelton and Arielle Kebbel, taking on the roles of Shannon and Hilary Timmons, respectively, was an opportunity to portray an “incredible” true story they couldn’t pass up.
The pair star in I CAN ONLY IMAGINE 2, which tells the story of MercyMe frontman Bart Millard and what happened after the release of his hit song “I Can Only Imagine.”
A synopsis reads, “After the breakout success of the song ‘I Can Only Imagine,’ MercyMe’s Bart Millard (John Michael Finley) is living the dream —sold-out arenas, a devoted fan base, and a thriving career. But behind the spotlight, Bart’s past threatens the family he’s built, especially the fragile bond with his son, Sam (Sammy Dell).”
“When hopeful newcomer Tim Timmons (Milo Ventimiglia, THIS IS US) joins the band for their biggest tour yet, he unknowingly brings a renewed gratitude to Bart’s life through their unlikely friendship. Bart soon discovers that Tim carries hardships — and secrets — of his own, forcing him to face his past and repair his relationships with Sam and his wife, Shannon (Sophie Skelton), before fame costs him what matters most,” it concludes.
“The story on its own is obviously just so incredible. And it’s one of those where it’s almost too good to be true,” Skelton told Movieguide®. “Sounds awful, because horrific things happen. But in terms of the script, I’m like, holy moly, like the fact that all of this stuff actually happened, it’s very inspiring.”
Related: I CAN ONLY IMAGINE Actress Steps Away From the Screen for I STILL BELIEVE
She continued, “Selfishly, from just a Shannon point of view, just her character, I mean, she’s just, she’s so incredibly strong, she’s such a rock. She has the patience of a saint, but she just has this amazing aura about her they get so drawn to. And she really is the epitome of kind of holding the fort. And I just thought that was super inspirational.”
Kebbel chimed in, saying, “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.”
“So I was saying earlier, like, oh yeah, no, Hilary doesn’t go with the flow. She is, like, she creates it,” she added of her character. “And it’s just so true…for me, I think that it is really wonderful to be a part of this legacy that is, like, you know, ‘I Can Only Imagine’ and MercyMe and the whole phenomenon.”
Skelton and Kebbel also noted the importance of the women’s friendship and how the movie highlights that.
Kebbel said, “Being able to see the relationship of two women like, you know, the bond they have with each other. So you know, to have these two women have each other is really powerful.”
I CAN ONLY IMAGINE 2, the sequel to 2018’s Teddy Bear Award® winner I CAN ONLY IMAGINE, will release Feb. 20, 2026.
Movieguide® praised the first installment, calling it a “powerful, heart-rending story of redemption and reconciliation found in Jesus Christ.”
“Dennis Quaid is terrific as Bart’s father. Bart Millard described his father as a monster and someone he hated, but who transformed into a man and who became his best friend and a role model,” the review continues, adding, “Void of objectionable content, I CAN ONLY IMAGINE warrants only a light caution for younger children because of tastefully executed abusive violence.”
I CAN ONLY IMAGINE 2 promises to inspire audiences just like its predecessor.
Read Next: I CAN ONLY IMAGINE 2 Changes Release Date — Here’s How Long You’ll Have to Wait
Questions or comments? Please write to us here.
– Content: +1Share:
– Content: +2