Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ Sequel: "The Resurrection of the Christ" Brings Jim Caviezel Back as Jesus.
Mel Gibson’s 2004 blockbuster The Passion of the Christ is making a much-anticipated comeback with the sequel, The Resurrection of the Christ. The original film, which depicted the final 12 hours of Jesus Christ’s life, became the second highest-grossing R-rated film in North America, just behind Deadpool & Wolverine (2024). Now, the highly awaited sequel is closer to becoming a reality, with filming set to begin in 2026.
The Passion of the Christ
Mel Gibson, 69, is gearing up for the highly anticipated sequel to The Passion of the Christ, titled The Resurrection of the Christ, which is set to begin filming in 2026. Jim Caviezel will reprise his iconic role as Jesus in this monumental follow-up, which promises to explore more than just the resurrection. Fans can expect a deep dive into both the past and future surrounding this central event, with Gibson’s unique vision bringing a mix of spiritual and cinematic depth to the project.
Jim Caviezel, 56, is confirmed to reprise his iconic role as Jesus. In a conversation with Stephen Colbert in 2016, Mel Gibson shared some of his vision for the sequel, stating, "It’s more than [the] single event [in the title], it’s an amazing event ... And to underpin that with the things around it is really the story. To sort of enlighten what that means."
Jim Caviezel (@therealjimcaviezel Instagram)
Recently, Caviezel revealed that the film could be split into two parts. “It will be the biggest film in history. It might be two films. Could be three, but I think it's two,” he said in July 2023.
While The Resurrection of the Christ will focus on the resurrection of Jesus, Gibson has shared that there is much more to explore. In a 2022 conversation with Raymond Arroyo on The World Over, Gibson explained, "It’s a huge subject, and it’s not a linear narrative. You have to juxtapose the central event that I’m trying to tell with everything else around it in the future, in the past and in other realms, and that’s kind of getting a little sci-fi out there."
Later that year, he told Jenni Falconer, “I have two scripts. One is very structured and the other is like an acid trip because you're going into other realms. You're in hell. You're watching the angels fall. It's crazy."
In 2018, Caviezel teased what fans could expect, saying, “There are things that I cannot say that will shock the audience,” adding, “It’s great. The film Gibson is going to be the biggest film in history. It’s that good.”
The Passion of the Christ
Maia Morgenstern, who portrayed Jesus' mother in the first film, and Francesco De Vito, who played Peter, are also set to return for the sequel.
Gibson has confirmed that the film’s production will begin in 2026. “I don't have a start date, I just have to begin pre-production and see what happens, and it's just gonna roll in its own time. It's taking its own time,” he said on The Joe Rogan Experience in January 2025. "I thought it was late. I thought I was taking too long, but it's probably just right. It's when it's supposed to be."
In September 2024, Gibson was spotted scouting filming locations in Malta. The movie is expected to be shot in various international locations, including Israel, Morocco, and Italy.
As anticipation builds for The Resurrection of the Christ, the film is shaping up to be a monumental cinematic event, potentially one of the most impactful movies in history. Fans of the original The Passion of the Christ can expect a deep and thought-provoking exploration of Jesus' resurrection and the surrounding events, with plenty of twists and surprises along the way.
The Passion of the Christ movie set
Mel Gibson has spoken about the process of filming The Passion of the Christ on several occasions, reflecting on the emotional and challenging experience of bringing the story of Jesus’ final hours to the screen.
In a 2016 interview with Stephen Colbert, Gibson explained that the film was deeply personal for him, stating, "It’s more than the single event in the title, it’s an amazing event... And to underpin that with the things around it is really the story. To sort of enlighten what that means."
He also talked about the impact of the film and the responsibility he felt, particularly in capturing the brutal and emotional aspects of Jesus' crucifixion. In a 2004 interview with ABC News, Gibson remarked, "I wanted to depict the last 12 hours of Jesus' life accurately, to make it real and visceral." He acknowledged the difficulty of portraying such a painful and traumatic event, but emphasized that his goal was to give audiences a deeply human connection to the story.
Gibson has been open about the controversies and intense scrutiny the film faced, explaining that his goal was to create "a spiritual experience" rather than a typical Hollywood film. He emphasized that he wanted to highlight the profound themes of sacrifice and faith.
