I Can Only Imagine 2, Sophie Skelton interview

And I read the script and I just felt just so engaged in it and so moved by it, um, just like this silent sort of I don't know, silent but really strong feeling. And I've just not had that feeling about a script in a long time and usually I'll kind of, I don't know, a bit of ADHD will kick in and I'll go make a cup of tea or whatever halfway through, but I didn't, I just sat with it and I just felt really moved and then I watched the first film and I just thought that the direction was amazing, cinematography was amazing, I loved the way it was shot, I thought John Michael, everyone was so natural in it, um, in terms of the acting style and I just thought I really want to tell this story and be a part of it.

Number one thing that Shannon said to me at one point, she kind of said why would anybody want to tell my story? I'm just a stay-at-home mom. And I just thought you're one of the most impressive women I have ever read on a page, never mind in real life, you're actually a real human, um, and you've been through this stuff and she handles stuff with such grace and you know no one else in the family could do what they do if it weren't for her and I just think those silent people at home like you are amazing, you are the rocks and like just don't underestimate that and if anyone underestimates it for you then tell them to watch this film.

There's so many incredible movies out there but the world is obviously going through it, a tricky time as we always are, but you know especially so, and I just think we need things like this to kind of remind us what humanity is, um, remind us that you know music can be grounding and the people around you really are what matters and just don't take your people for granted.

I think one thing I think is so beautiful about this movie and about MercyMe's songs is that I wasn't familiar with MercyMe before, but I think the way that they blend kind of popular culture and country with that faith element is really beautifully done. And so I guess just, you know, whether you want to take a hymn as a hymn or whether you want to read it as a poem, there's just something beautiful in there for everyone and I think to have that as the throughline of a film is really cool.

Go see it in person. Yeah, I mean, I feel like sort of big cinematic movies, IMAX or whatever are a great excuse to go to the cinema, but this one is just, when you, for example, I watched it by myself on a plane and I don't recommend. I was crying and it's also just one of those films that makes you want to reach for people around you and I just, feeling that, there's no replacement to feeling that sort of cumulative energy and love in a movie theater. It's just great.