Faith-based I Can Only Imagine did even better than the revised predictions as reported in LifeSiteNews.
Variety Magazine is reporting, “Faith-Based ‘I Can Only Imagine’ Soars With $17.1 Million Launch.”
There are two big takeaways from this:
- This little Christian film which went head-to-head with the big studio-produced gay-themed movie, Love, Simon, grabbed far more viewers and revenue––despite the fact the gay “coming out” movie was shown in 800 more theatres.
- After just three days, I Can Only Imagine has already equalled the cumulative earnings of the much heralded Call Me by Your Name, which opened last Thanksgiving. The homoerotic story of a man and boy whose relationship turns carnal had been universally praised by reviewers as “the most romantic movie of the year” and “an instant classic.”
Variety, daily staple of the entertainment industry, now reports:
Roadside Attractions-Lionsgate’s faith-based “I Can Only Imagine” has crushed early box office forecasts with a surprisingly strong $17.1 million at 1,629 locations in North America.
Recent estimates for “I Can Only Imagine” had been in the $2 million-$8 million range. It rang up the top per-site average by far among this weekend’s wide release movies with $10,476, and it notched an A+ CinemaScore among patrons.
The box office reports are further evidence that the public is sick and tired of the pro-LGBT messaging Hollywood keeps trying to feed the moviegoers.
Written by: Doug Mainwaring
Article source: www.lifesitenews.com
I Can Only Imagine – The Story behind The Song
From the directors of Mom’s Night Out and Woodlawn comes this incredible story behind the multi-platinum song by MercyMe that gave hope to millions – I Can Only Imagine, releasing in cinema’s Friday 11 May 2018. The film is a gripping reminder of the power of forgiveness and beautifully illustrates that no one is ever too far from God’s love—or from an eternal home in Heaven.
I Can Only Imagine – The Song
The concept and production was born from MercyMe’s most popular contemporary Christian song in history, I Can Only Imagine. Front man of the American contemporary Christian band Bart Millard was inspired to write this song after overcoming an abusive childhood. In 2001, the song I Can Only Imagine debuted on MercyMe’s first album for a major label and quickly became an unprecedented hit—crossing over to success in pop, country, and adult contemporary. The song’s lyrics when read and listened to speak about redemption at its core and holding ones’ faith through the trials and tribulations, which showed to resonate with people across the globe. The song went onto win Song of the Year and Songwriter of the Year in the Dove Awards while also being certified as a double platinum selling Christian song.
The Makers of Magic
The movie is directed by the Erwin brother’s [Jon and Andy] and produced by Kevin Downes, who have partnered up for a third time to bring this magical story to life. Interestingly, the Erwins’ opportunity to tell Bart’s story came about from a previous film they directed. The team met in Oklahoma City and planned to shoot the entire movie in 26 days for release early 2018. “What I’m most excited about is people seeing this who have never heard the story. This is a powerful story that I believe is going to bring hope to people all over the world,” said Downes.
The story about Bart Millard
As a kid in Greenville, Texas, Bart suffered physical and emotional abuse at the hands of his father. His mother abandoned the family and Bart was left alone with his father. After a terrible accident at work his father suffered a brain injury which made him unable to control his anger. Bart portrays how his father turned into a walking monster, having to look after him every night. As a young child that anger manifested into abuse. In Bart’s high school years, two things happened that changed everything. First, his father was stricken with terminal cancer, and second, over time, his father came to know Jesus Christ. Bart believes there is a God because of the change he saw in his father. He went from being a monster to being his best friend, the man he wanted to be one day. During the two years that Bart took care of his dad, their relationship was completely redeemed.
The phrase “I Can Only Imagine” first occurred to Bart when leaving his father’s grave site, as he wondered what his dad might be seeing in heaven. “For me, the thought was very therapeutic because it was just too overwhelming to think of him being gone,” said Bart. Years later, Bart wrote I Can Only Imagine after the band needed a final song to complete their first album. I Can Only Imagine and the story of Bart Millard’s journey to writing this infectious song can now be witnessed first-hand in this heart-warming film for the world to watch. In a cinema near you this May.
