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By Kayla DeKraker
Filmmaker Andrew Erwin reflected on how his friendship with actor and veterans advocate Gary Sinise changed his perspective on creating faith-forward entertainment.
“Had breakfast with my friend, mentor, hero @garysiniseofficial today,” Erwin began a recent Instagram. “Seventeen years ago when it still was very unpopular to be doing faith film we didn’t know if our voice had a place to fit in. We had just made the front page of the NY Times critiquing one of our early films for the faith point of view.”
The JESUS REVOLUTION producer explained how during that time he faced discouragement, but an outing with Sinise changed his perspective.
“Gary reached out and invited us to breakfast out of the blue. I didn’t know him, but he had seen our films and appreciated them,” Erwin explained.
Related: I CAN ONLY IMAGINE 2 Lands Spring 2026 Release
“Gary was a legend. The Oscar nominated actor who also had founded The Steppenwolf Theater in Chicago with John Malkovich. An actor’s actor. ‘Lt. Dan.’ We were outsiders to the industry,” he recalled, noting Sinise’s iconic role in FORREST GUMP.
When the two met, Sinise told Erwin, “Just so you know, there are thousands of us out here in LA who love the stories you want to tell and we would work with you in a heartbeat.”
“All at once we weren’t alone,” Erwin said. “That was a lifeline for me and Jon. He introduced us to some lifelong friends and collaborators. It’s amazing to see where Faith film has come from those early days with so many telling important stories now that have found a much wider audience.”
Erwin concluded his post by thanking Sinise for changing the trajectory of his career.
“As we stand at the starting gate for @icanonlyimaginemovie releasing Feb 20 I will be forever grateful for my friend Gary encouraging us not to give up,” he said. “Stories of faith, redemption and hope are so needed right now. Grateful to not be alone in this journey. Like I said, God is on the move!”
I CAN ONLY IMAGINE 2, the sequel to I CAN ONLY IMAGINE, continues MercyMe frontman Bart Millard’s story.
“Bart Millard, lead singer of MercyMe, faces a personal crisis at the peak of his success. As his world unravels, he struggles with his beliefs and inner demons while seeking a path through adversity,” a synopsis of the sequel reads.
They wrapped the project back in November.
“That’s a wrap! Sound mix done for I CAN ONLY IMAGINE 2. Best team ever!” Erwin posted. “Guys this one is the most special film I’ve worked on. Proud to finish Bart’s story! Can’t wait for everyone to see it Feb 20.”
Part of Movieguide®’s review of the first I CAN ONLY IMAGINE reads, “I CAN ONLY IMAGINE is 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.”
Movieguide® notes, “Void of objectionable content, I CAN ONLY IMAGINE warrants only a light caution for younger children because of tastefully executed abusive violence.”
Catch I CAN ONLY IMAGINE 2 in theaters on Feb. 20.
Read Next: I CAN ONLY IMAGINE 2 Forged a Friendship Between This Actor and Christian Singer
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