In an exclusive interview with Paul Salfen, John Michael Finley opens up about stepping back into the role of MercyMe frontman Bart Millard for the much-anticipated sequel to the 2018 faith-based hit. What began as a rookie actor’s first film set experience has blossomed into a deeply personal journey—one that explores not just redemption, but the harder-won gratitude that comes from fighting for family amid the pressures of fame.
Finley, who trained as a stage actor with Broadway aspirations, admits he caught the “film and TV bug” on the original I Can Only Imagine set. Returning for the sequel felt like coming home. “The script they put together was incredible,” he shares. “What I’m most proud of is all the heaviness that we covered—a lot of heavy ground, a lot of stuff that we don’t necessarily like to talk about.” Growing up as a preacher’s kid in the Bible Belt, Finley understands the discomfort of diving into difficult topics, yet he praises Bart Millard and his family for their courage in sharing their story once again.
The film picks up after the breakout success of “I Can Only Imagine,” as Bart navigates sold-out arenas and a thriving career while his past threatens the family he’s built—particularly his fragile bond with his son Sam (Sammy Dell). A hopeful newcomer, Tim Timmons (Milo Ventimiglia), joins the band and brings unexpected gratitude into Bart’s life, forcing him to confront old wounds and repair relationships with Sam and his wife Shannon (Sophie Skelton) before fame extracts its ultimate cost. Based on the true story behind MercyMe’s hit “Even If,” the movie delivers a powerful message of faith, family, and finding God in the fire.
Filmed in Nashville with a dream team including directors Andrew Erwin and Brent McCorkle, the production felt blessed from day one. Finley highlights the clear communication, respect on set, and the joy of working with returning cast and new additions like Ventimiglia, who was “just excited to be on the team.” Many crew members lived locally, allowing them to stay close to family—a rare gift in filmmaking. “There is something special that God was moving in this,” Finley reflects, noting the collaborative spirit that made the challenging material not only bearable but joyful.
When asked about the pressure of portraying a real, living person, Finley smiles and compares it to playing Mr. Rogers. Thankfully, Bart’s genuine friendship and support made the role feel more like capturing the “silhouette” and “essence” of the character—southern preacher’s kid vibes that Finley naturally brings. He even found himself channeling his own performance from a decade ago to reconnect audiences with the world of the first film.
For aspiring actors, Finley offers grounded wisdom drawn from his baseball-loving roots. “The grind will happen in the minor leagues,” he says, referencing Pete Rose’s insight that the major leagues are actually the easiest place to hit because everything is optimized. Once you reach that level—with heavy hitters like Lionsgate, Kingdom Story Company, and producers Kevin Downes, Andrew Erwin, Cindy Bond, Bart Millard, and others—the efficiency and streamlined process become apparent. His advice? Tell great stories that mean something. “I think I found a niche in telling true stories… that’s the human experience, and that’s art to me.”
Finley credits his supportive parents (his mom now passed, dad still encouraging) for keeping him grounded. Unlike Bart’s story, his own upbringing was filled with daily “I love yous” and permission to chase dreams, even when financial support wasn’t possible. That foundation, paired with a love for collaboration in singing, acting, and storytelling, keeps him on the right path.
As audiences rediscover I Can Only Imagine 2 daily, Finley and the team invite viewers to experience the inspiring encore. Some stories truly deserve one—and this heartfelt next chapter delivers hope with “a lot more teeth”: gratitude.
