Movie Based on the Iconic Contemporary Christian Ballad "I Can Only Imagine"
In the world of contemporary Christian music, few songs have resonated as deeply as MercyMe's "I Can Only Imagine." Written by the band's front-man, Bart Millard, the song has become a beacon of hope and redemption for countless listeners. Now, the inspiring story behind the song is being brought to life in a movie directed by the Erwin Brothers.
The journey of "I Can Only Imagine" began in the late 90s when the band needed a final song to complete their first album. With the phrase "I can only imagine" already in his heart, Millard quickly penned the lyrics and composed the music, along with his bandmates, in just a few minutes. Little did they know, this song would become the most popular contemporary Christian song in history.
Millard's inspiration for the song came from a deeply personal place. As a child in Greenville, Texas, he suffered physical and emotional abuse at the hands of his father. However, during the two years that Millard took care of his dying father, their relationship was completely redeemed. His father, stricken with terminal cancer, came to know Jesus Christ.
The Erwin Brothers, known for their focus on creating faith-based and inspirational feature films, met Millard at a screening of one of their films, which led to the opportunity to make a movie about Millard's life story. For the role of Millard, they cast John Michael Finley, the understudy for "Jean Valjean" in Les Miserables, who was born in Arkansas and grew up in southern Missouri, connecting him to the role.
Brent McCorkle, a musician and film writer, co-wrote "I Can Only Imagine." McCorkle, known for his background in delivering compelling, heartfelt, and emotionally visceral storytelling and soaring scores, helped bring Millard's story to life on the silver screen.
The movie was shot in Oklahoma City for a spring 2018 release. The Erwin Brothers, who started their career as camera operators for ESPN and have since released three full-length feature films, have infused the film with a "redemption thread" in its DNA, as described by Jon Erwin, one of the directors.
Millard's father's life was not without its challenges. After a traumatic accident on a construction site that left him with a brain injury and in a coma for a week, his ability to regulate his anger was affected, manifesting as abuse towards Millard. However, their relationship was ultimately redeemed, providing the inspiration for Millard's powerful song.
As the movie premieres, audiences will undoubtedly be moved by Millard's story of redemption, resilience, and the power of forgiveness. "I Can Only Imagine" debuted on MercyMe's first album for a major label in 2001 and quickly became an unprecedented hit. Now, the story behind the song is set to captivate audiences once more.
