Jim Caviezel Swaps Jesus Role for New Action Film Archangel, Set for 2026 Release

Jim Caviezel is returning to the big screen, this time trading his role as Jesus for a new kind of mission. Sony Pictures and Mandalay Pictures have confirmed that Archangel, an upcoming action movie starring Caviezel, will arrive in theaters on November 6, 2026.

The project brings together a strong creative team. The script was written by Chris Papasadero and Randall Wallace and later picked up by Mandalay, who brought it to Sony. David Zelon and Peter Guber are producing, and Will Eubank, known for his work on Underwater and The Signal, will direct. The film also features Olivia Thirlby, Garret Dillahunt, and Shea Whigham alongside Caviezel.

Caviezel became a household name after his powerful performance in Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ, one of the most successful independent films ever made. More recently, he found renewed attention with Sound of Freedom, a surprise box office hit, and he previously led the CBS series Person of Interest for several seasons.

Earlier this year, Caviezel hinted on the Arroyo Grande podcast that he was ready to play Jesus again in Gibson’s planned sequel, The Resurrection of the Christ. “I’m ready to return to the story that changed my life,” he said at the time.

But those plans have shifted, as Finnish actor Ohtonen, 36, has now been chosen for the role. Ohtonen is recognized for playing the warrior Wolland in the Netflix series The Last Kingdom.

With Archangel, Caviezel seems to be taking a bold step away from biblical storytelling and into high-stakes action. Sony is betting that his name, and his past success at the box office, will draw in audiences once again.

It’s interesting to see Caviezel shift gears from deeply spiritual roles to more traditional action stories. He’s shown he can carry powerful films before, and Archangel could give him a fresh start in a new genre. What do you think about Caviezel taking on this new role? Share your thoughts in the comments.