Mel Gibson Unveils First Look at ‘The Resurrection of the Christ,’ Long-Awaited Sequel to ‘The Passion of the Christ’
A new update has been shared about the upcoming film “The Resurrection of the Christ,” the long-awaited sequel project from Mel Gibson,
The report says Gibson has shared the first look at the movie, which is a follow-up to his 2004 film “The Passion of the Christ.” At the same time, it was confirmed that filming on the project has now finished. Production reportedly took 134 days and was shot in several locations across Italy, including Rome, Bari, Ginosa, Craco, Brindisi, and Matera.
Even though filming is done, the release plan has changed. The movie is now being split into two parts, and both have been pushed back. “Part One” was originally set for March 26, 2027, but it is now planned for May 6, 2027. “Part Two” has also been delayed, moving from May 6, 2027, to May 25, 2028.
Both films are expected to be released on Ascension Day, a Christian holiday that marks the belief in Jesus Christ’s ascension into heaven.
Gibson spoke about the project in a statement shared with the media. He said, “I’m deeply grateful to my incredibly talented cast and crew for pouring their hearts into this production. Together, we created something powerful.” He also said, “This film represents a major part of my life’s work, and it has demanded everything of me as a filmmaker and as an artist. This is far more than a film to me. It’s a mission I’ve carried for over 20 years to tell what I believe is the most important story in human history.”
The film continues the story started in “The Passion of the Christ,” which followed the final hours of Jesus Christ before the crucifixion. The sequel is expected to focus on the resurrection of Jesus, continuing that story on a larger scale.
The new films will star Jaakko Ohtonen as Jesus and Mariela Garriga as Mary Magdalene. Other cast members include Pier Luigi Pasino, Kasia Smutniak, Riccardo Scamarcio, and Rupert Everett.
According to Deadline, Gibson has been working on the script for years with writer Randall Wallace. The filmmaker has also described the project in past interviews as something very intense and unusual, saying he “never read anything like” the scripts.
The original “The Passion of the Christ” was a huge box office success. It earned over $600 million worldwide on a budget of about $30 million and became one of the most successful independent films ever made.
The new project is being distributed by Lionsgate in North America and the UK, with other international partners handling releases in different regions around the world.
Lionsgate executive Adam Fogelson praised the film, saying, “Mel is a true visionary with an artist’s eye for scale and a storyteller’s instinct for emotional truth.” He also said, “Every image we’ve seen from set feels like a masterwork painting brought to life.”
Gibson’s return to major studio filmmaking comes after several years away from big productions. His previous film was “Flight Risk,” and before that he directed films like “Hacksaw Ridge,” “Apocalypto,” and “Braveheart.”
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