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Raquel Laguna/ SUCOPRESS. Actor John Michael Finley stars in I Can Only Imagine 2, directed by Andrew Erwin and Brent McCorkle. In this interview, John Michael talks about the biggest emotional challenge in returning to his role. Bart Millard, American singer and leader of the band MercyMe, talks about the message he hopes audiences take away from this sequel. And actor Sammy Dell talks about his character Sam and his relationship with his father in the film. The movie follows Bart Millard of MercyMe in the aftermath of the breakout success of I Can Only Imagine. With sold-out arenas, a devoted fan base, and a thriving career, Bart seems to be living the dream. As Bart navigates a new health diagnosis affecting Sam, he tries to keep his family grounded while his wife Shannon remains a steady source of strength and optimism. With Sam, and newcomer Tim Timmons, joining the band on a major tour, Bart must balance fatherhood and fame while encouraging his son to find his own voice. Actors Milo Ventimiglia, Dennis Quaid, Sophie Skelton, Arielle Kebbel, Joshua Bassett and Trace Adkins also star in I Can Only Imagine 2, in theaters on February 20th.

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00:00I would like to know first, John, what was the biggest emotional channel returning to this role?
00:08I think flip-flopping to the father character and the struggles that Bart is and was going through during those
00:16times.
00:17It was a challenge, but it was, I wouldn't say a fun challenge, but it meant a lot to me
00:25to walk through that and portray that.
00:27Bart, how did it mean to you to see this new chapter of your life on screen again?
00:34It's surreal is a good word. It's really special. I mean, I trusted the guys that made the first movie.
00:40I knew it was in good hands, but I probably, I don't know if I was convinced it was a
00:46story worth telling, but then going through it and seeing the script and watching the final product was like, you
00:53know,
00:53So I think sometimes you think movies are, sometimes movies are for an escape or tell these unbelievable stories about
01:00crazy things that happen.
01:01Other stories are told just so that people can relate and say, oh, I'm not alone in this.
01:06And that's certainly what this movie is, is if people that are struggling with whatever it is realize, oh, I'm
01:11not the only one going through this, then it's, it's all worth it.
01:14Sammy, so tell me, how would you describe the relationship between Bart and Sam?
01:21I mean, throughout the movie, we see a lot of myths in connection. And I feel like that's something that
01:30a lot of, of people can really relate with.
01:34I mean, I personally relate with it in, in several ways. And I feel like we come to movies to,
01:40to know that we're not alone to connect.
01:42And I feel like this film really, really helps you connect and, and, and look at your own life.
01:48John, what have you learned from Bart, from your character?
01:53Honestly, a lot, truly a lot. Uh, I've said it before, but, uh, these guys are like my big brothers,
01:59you know, they're all about 10 to 15 years older than me.
02:02And they're all a little further down the road than I am. And to, to see them walk through some
02:08of the struggles and some of the great times with the humility and the grace that they do.
02:12And to be vulnerable and honest and truthful about it, uh, is really inspiring to me as a young father
02:18and a, and a young parent and, you know.
02:20Bart, what do you expect, uh, if there is any message you would like the, the audience to take away
02:26after watching the movie?
02:28Yeah, I think we, um, you know, with social media and stuff like that, we try to pretend that our
02:34lives are better than they are sometimes or hide the flaws.
02:36And, and in real life, you have to find a way to, like we say in the movie, to, to
02:41hold grief and gratitude at the same time.
02:43Uh, we're, we're, we're not fortunate enough to, to have them separate very often.
02:48And, uh, and whether it's us trying to find the hope in the moments when we hit rock bottom,
02:53or just being realistic about when things are very good, that it's like, this isn't how it always is going
02:59to happen.
02:59And there's a balance in that. And, and, and just for people to be present and enjoy their lives where
03:05they are in the moment.
03:06And that, that God has a reason, even though we don't understand it, of why we're going through certain things.
03:11And that he still sits on his throne is a big deal to me. And it's important to me.
03:14And that's what I hope people take away with this, is that you have a story to tell and it's
03:18still being written.
03:19And, uh, and, uh, it's, there's highs and lows in it, but it's, it's, uh, it's your story worth telling.
03:25Samy, for you, what was more challenging, playing the music, the emotional part?
03:30I mean, all of it's pretty challenging. I mean, you're coming into someone's life that, um, you're trying to, like,
03:38encapsulate and put onto screen.
03:40And so there's, there's a little bit of, there's a, there's a fear in there a little bit that, uh,
03:44you're like, oh, can I get it?
03:45Um, but I feel like on this set, everything, all the challenges, they, they were outweighed by the love and,
03:54and the, the whole crew having my back.
03:58Um, yeah.
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