Mel Gibson has released the first images from his long-awaited follow-up to the 2004 biblical drama, “The Passion of the Christ,” now titled “The Resurrection of the Christ.” The two-part epic has completed filming ahead of schedule, wrapping 134 days of production across various Italian locations, including Rome, Bari, Ginosa, Craco, Brindisi, and Matera. The announcement of these images coincides with a shift in release dates, slightly postponing both films to align with significant Christian holidays.
Part One of the new series is now set to premiere on May 6, 2027, moving from its original March 26 date, while Part Two has been delayed from May 6, 2027, to May 25, 2028. Both releases are planned to coincide with Ascension Day, a major Christian observance celebrating Jesus Christ’s ascent into heaven. Gibson, reflecting on the project, emphasized the personal significance of the films, calling the work a culmination of more than two decades of effort to portray what he regards as a central story in human history. He expressed profound gratitude to his cast and crew for their dedication and passion throughout the filmmaking process.
“The Resurrection of the Christ” continues the narrative established in “The Passion of the Christ,” which chronicled the final 12 hours of Jesus’ life, featuring Jim Caviezel in the role of Jesus of Nazareth and Monica Bellucci as Mary Magdalene. Gibson has described the new scripts, co-written with Randall Wallace, as unprecedented and intensely imaginative, likening them to an “acid trip.” The forthcoming films are expected to focus on the resurrection of Jesus, with new actors Jaakko Ohtonen and Mariela Garriga stepping into the lead roles of Jesus and Mary Magdalene, supported by Pier Luigi Pasino, Kasia Smutniak, Riccardo Scamarcio, and Rupert Everett.
Gibson’s original film, “The Passion of the Christ,” achieved significant commercial success, remaining the highest-grossing R-rated movie domestically for many years, with earnings of $370 million in the U.S. before being surpassed by Disney’s 2024 release “Deadpool & Wolverine,” which grossed $636 million domestically. Globally, “The Passion of the Christ” generated $610 million against a $30 million budget, securing its place among the most successful independent films in cinema history.
Distribution plans for “The Resurrection of the Christ” involve Lionsgate handling North America, the United Kingdom, and Latin America via the studio’s joint venture, IDC. Additionally, Lionsgate has partnered with several international distributors, including Leonine for Germany, Metropolitan Film for France, Diamond for Spain, Dutch Filmworks for Benelux, Mis. Label for Scandinavia, Sun Africa for South Africa, Monolith for Poland, Vertical Entertainment for Eastern Europe, Blitz Film for the former Yugoslavia, Ascot Elite for Switzerland, Pris Audiovisuais for Portugal, and Acme for the Baltics. Icon Pictures will manage releases in Australia and New Zealand.
Adam Fogelson, chair of Lionsgate’s Motion Picture Group, praised Gibson’s visionary approach, highlighting the director’s ability to blend grand-scale cinematic spectacle with deep emotional storytelling. Fogelson noted that each image from the set resembles a masterful painting brought to life and emphasized that audiences worldwide have been anticipating this ambitious project for over 20 years.
Gibson’s career has faced turbulence due to personal controversies, but he recently returned to studio filmmaking after an eight-year hiatus with the thriller “Flight Risk,” starring Mark Wahlberg. While that film underperformed at the box office with $48 million in global revenue, Gibson previously achieved acclaim for films such as “Hacksaw Ridge,” “Braveheart,” and “Apocalypto,” demonstrating his ability to create compelling historical and action-oriented cinema.
The two-part “Resurrection” series marks a significant return for Gibson to biblical storytelling and large-scale filmmaking. The decision to release the films on Ascension Day underlines the spiritual resonance and intended impact of the project. With a blend of epic visuals, a dedicated international cast, and a narrative rooted in one of the most pivotal events in Christian tradition, “The Resurrection of the Christ” is positioned to become a major cultural and cinematic event when it finally reaches audiences worldwide.
This ambitious undertaking not only extends Gibson’s directorial legacy but also reinforces his enduring fascination with bringing religious and historical narratives to the big screen, promising a cinematic experience that merges artistic ambition with spiritual storytelling. The anticipation surrounding the films underscores both the enduring influence of “The Passion of the Christ” and the curiosity about how Gibson will depict the resurrection narrative in a contemporary cinematic context. The international collaboration in distribution further signals a global interest in these epic retellings, reflecting the universal resonance of the story of Jesus’ resurrection and the filmmaker’s persistent dedication to portraying it with both spectacle and reverence.
