The Legacy of The Passion of the Christ
It’s been 20 years since Mel Gibson’s polarising biblical blockbuster The Passion of the Christ hit screens. This film, which follows the final 12 hours in the lead-up to the death of Jesus Christ, features Jim Caviezel as the Messiah, Maia Morgenstern as his mother Mary, and Monica Bellucci as Mary Magdalene. Although the screenplay was based on the gospels, it faced criticism for its graphic violence and accusations of antisemitism.
Despite the backlash, the film was a box office success, grossing $612.1 million and still standing as the highest-grossing Christian film of all time. It also received critical acclaim, earning three Oscar nominations. After years of discussions about a sequel, writer Randall Wallace confirmed in 2016 that he and Gibson were working on a follow-up focusing on Jesus’ Resurrection and the events surrounding it.
What Do We Know About the Sequel?
Two years after Wallace’s initial announcement, Caviezel revealed that Gibson had sent him the third draft of the screenplay, expressing his intention to reprise his role as Jesus Christ. In 2020, he claimed the sequel would be “the biggest film in world history.” By 2023, Gibson announced that the film would be titled The Resurrection of the Christ.
Gibson spoke about two scripts he had been working on, describing one as structured and strong, while the other was more experimental. He also addressed concerns about the time passed since the original, mentioning plans to use technology to bring back the main cast.
What Has Happened to the Cast?
At the time, Gibson confirmed that Caviezel would reprise his role, explaining that CGI and special effects would be used to make him appear the same age as when the original was filmed. However, this week, it was announced that Caviezel has been cut from the film entirely, with a younger actor set to take over.
As reported by Variety, Finnish actor Jaakko Ohtonen will now play Jesus. The main cast for the film, which began shooting last week in Rome, has also been entirely replaced. Mariela Garriga will play Mary Magdalene, Kasia Smutniak will play Mary, Pier Luigi Pasino will play the Apostle Peter, and Riccardo Scamarcio will play Pontius Pilate. Rupert Everett will also appear in an unspecified small but important role.
A source explained that recasting made sense due to the events of the sequel taking place three days after Christ’s crucifixion, making it logical to replace the entire cast.
How Have Fans Reacted?
The cast update has divided fans of the original. Some expressed disappointment, with one user stating, “Recasting Jesus is blasphemous work.” Others noted the irony of casting a Nordic actor as a Middle Eastern man. However, some fans remain optimistic about the sequel’s potential.
What Has Caviezel Said About Playing Jesus?
Just a few months ago, Caviezel expressed his desire to reprise his role in the sequel. He is yet to comment publicly on the recasting but recently announced he will star in the action film Archangel. As a devout Catholic, Caviezel took on the role despite concerns about its impact on his career.
Filming the original movie was a challenging experience for Caviezel, who suffered injuries and health issues during production. Despite this, he described the experience as deepening his faith. He also faced criticism after the film’s release, but he remained resilient.
When Will the Sequel Be Released?
The Resurrection of the Christ is set to be split into two parts. The first will be released on Good Friday, March 26, 2027, followed by the second part on Ascension Day, May 6, 40 days later.
