A Father's RECKONING

Dennis Quaid steps back into the shoes of a deeply flawed man looking for redemption in I Can Only Imagine 2

- KAT PETTIBONE

It was really uncomfortable to be that guy," Dennis Quaid tells Us of playing Arthur Millard, the abusive, alcoholic father at the heart of 2018's faith-based hit I Can Only Imagine.

The role — based on the real-life relationship between MercyMe frontman Bart Millard and his dad — pushed the actor into some of the darkest emotional territory of his career. A father himself to son Jack, 33, and twins Zoe and Thomas, 18, Quaid found the experience mentally taxing. "[Arthur was] very abusive," he adds. "Almost criminal, really."

I Can Only Imagine 2 (in theaters Feb. 20) moves beyond that darkness, revisiting Arthur later in life after a cancer diagnosis and a new connection with God lead him toward a path of forgiveness with Bart. "It's the story of redemption," Quaid, 71, explains.

Quaid reprises his role as Arthur Millard in the drama I Can Only Imagine 2, in theaters Feb. 20.

"It's hard to ask for something you feel like you don't deserve, but he and Bart developed a relationship that really turned out to be sweet. It broke the chain of that abuse. Here, Quaid tells Us more about returning to the role.

Why was it important to come back for I Can Only Imagine 2?