Mel Gibson’s long-awaited follow-up to The Passion of the Christ is going to take a little longer to rise.
Today Gibson released a first-look image of The Resurrection of the Christ and announced that the project, which is being released as two separate films, has wrapped filming ahead of schedule but will conclude a year later than previously announced. Part One will release on May 6, 2027 (Ascension Day 2027), with Part Two coming on May 25, 2028 (Ascension Day & Memorial Day Weekend 2028).
The films were shot over 134 days in Rome, Bari, Ginosa, Craco, Brindisi (Torre Guaceto), and Matera.
The new movies continue the story of Gibson’s 2004 blockbuster The Passion of the Christ, which became one of the most successful R-rated films of all time and remains one of the most talked-about faith films ever made. This time, Gibson is expanding the story beyond a traditional resurrection narrative. He has previously described the project as ambitious, with elements involving Hell, fallen angels and the spiritual realm.
The sequel has already gone through major changes. The project is now split into two films, and the original cast has been replaced, with Finnish actor Jaakko Ohtonen stepping into the role of Jesus.
“I’m deeply grateful to my incredibly talented cast and crew for pouring their hearts into this production. Together, we created something powerful,” Gibson 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 twenty years to tell what I believe is the most important story in human history. Reuniting with many of my original collaborators from The Passion of the Christ — true masters of their craft — allowed us to bring this story to the screen exactly as I envisioned it.”
So yes, the resurrection movie has been delayed. There’s probably a sermon illustration in there somewhere.
