Lionsgate and Kingdom Story Company have announced the production of two upcoming faith-based films, with one being a significant sequel and the other a compelling new story. "I Can Only Imagine 2" will continue the biographical journey of MercyMe's Bart Millard, while "Unbreakable Boy" introduces audiences to a unique narrative of resilience and inspiration.

According to the Christian Post, The dual projects highlight stories of the human spirit and are aimed at stirring hope in audiences worldwide.

Released in 2018, "I Can Only Imagine" became a surprise hit at the box office, grossing over $83 million domestically. Its profound impact led to the sequel, "I Can Only Imagine 2," which soon heads into production under the direction of Brent McCorkle and Andrew Erwin. This new chapter is poised to delve deeper into the inspirational life of Bart Millard, portraying milestones and challenges post his initial success.

Returning to their roles in the sequel are John Michael Finley as Bart Millard, Dennis Quaid as Arthur Millard, and Trace Adkins as Scott Brickell. Notably, the cast will be joined by Milo Ventimiglia, who steps into the role of Tim Timmons, promising a fresh dynamic in the unfolding narrative.

Unbreakable Boy Set To Touch Hearts

While "I Can Only Imagine 2" revisits familiar characters, "Unbreakable Boy" plans a February 2025 release, featuring the real-life story of a boy with both autism and brittle bone disease. Directed by Jon Gunn, the film stars Zachary Levi and Meghann Fahy, exploring themes of overcoming adversity through a distinctly heartfelt lens.

The story of "Unbreakable Boy" is based on the book by Scott M. LeRette and Susy Flory, which details the life of their son. This film adaptation promises to bring significant attention to the challenges and joys specific to living with such unique health conditions.

Earlier successes, such as "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever," also a collaboration between Lionsgate and Kingdom Story Company, have proven the market's appetite for such inspiring tales, which not only earned over $32 million domestically but also significantly outperformed its production budget.

Industry Leaders Share Their Enthusiasm

Adam Fogelson from Lionsgate shares his enthusiasm about continuing their partnership with Kingdom Story Company. "We’re excited to be partnering once again with Kingdom on this continuation of Bart’s incredible story and are confident its combination of emotional truth and pure heart will connect with audiences everywhere," he said. This sentiment underscores a mutual commitment to producing meaningful, impactful cinema.

Kingdom Story Company's Kevin Downes reflected on the impact of the original film: "‘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." He emphasized that the sequel, derived from their mission to ignite a ‘rush of hope,’ stands as a testament to their foundational goals.

Bart Millard himself expressed the personal resonance of the film's portrayal. "There were some scenes that made me uncomfortable — because I was kind of reliving it and I think that's a sign of a job well done," Millard revealed, acknowledging the emotional authenticity the film captures.

Unbreakable Boy A Symbol Of Divine Guidance

Zachary Levi shared a personal reflection on his role in "Unbreakable Boy," seeing it as a divinely guided opportunity. "I wasn’t going to be able to make this movie at all. The pandemic happened; all of a sudden, my schedule freed up... And now here we are, and it all feels very fated. It feels like God’s fingerprints were all over it," Levi commented, highlighting the unexpected but fortuitous circumstances that led him to the project.

Meanwhile, Andy Erwin, co-director of "I Can Only Imagine 2," shared his broader vision for their projects. "Redemption is at the core of everything we do, it has to be about the idea of redemption that promotes hope," Erwin explained. He further elaborated on the inclusive nature of these narratives, "I think those are the stories that, for us as people of faith, really speak to us, but they also invite an outside audience to understand what we believe. We've tried to find different varieties of that kind of stories."

With these forthcoming projects, Lionsgate and Kingdom Story Company are setting the stage for another series of impactful storytelling endeavors that resonate deeply with audiences both familiar and new to the realms of faith-based cinema.