Mel Gibson's Fiery Week: Passion Sequel, Wildfire Loss, and Hunting Season Buzz

Mel Gibson BioSnap a weekly updated Biography. Mel Gibson hit headlines this week in a flurry of ways. Appearing on The Joe Rogan Experience to promote his new directorial effort Flight Risk Gibson confirmed on air that he plans to finally film his long-delayed sequel to The Passion of the Christ in 2026 and even revealed the ambitious title The Resurrection of the Christ according to People magazine. Gibson described the project as an acid trip involving dramatic biblical themes from the fall of the angels to the death of the last apostle and said he still hopes to have Jim Caviezel return in the role of Jesus though decades have passed since the original. However The Hollywood Reporter dropped a surprise on November 11 stating that Gibson is now recasting both Jesus and Mary Magdalene for the sequel with the new lead expected to debut in 2027, apparently reversing earlier public statements. There’s been speculation but no confirmation about who his new stars will be so for now the recast remains an unconfirmed but widely reported story. Meanwhile Gibson suffered a personal setback revealing in a NewsNation interview that his Malibu home was destroyed in the Los Angeles wildfires while he was traveling but he was quick to reassure fans that his family including partner Rosalind Ross are safe and healthy. On the movie front the first trailer for his latest survival thriller Hunting Season was released online and shared widely including by Flickering Myth with Samuel Goldwyn Films handling the December 5 theatrical and VOD release. The trailer shows Gibson embracing his signature tough-guy persona as a reclusive father forced to protect his daughter from a drug lord—a theme in line with his earlier iconic roles and generating nostalgic excitement among longtime fans. Trade magazines and fan sites alike are calling this new project his most visceral since the Mad Max and Lethal Weapon days. On streaming platforms his classic war film The Patriot hit Netflix this week attracting renewed social media buzz and high audience ratings as nostalgic fans and critics alike debated its legacy. MovieWeb noted that Gibson’s offbeat 2020s action-comedy Fatman is gaining traction on Paramount Plus as well, another reminder that his back catalog is being rediscovered by new audiences. Social chatter included some controversy. According to the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children and other Catholic outlets Gibson faced criticism for reportedly casting an outspoken pro-abortion actress as the Virgin Mary in the Resurrection sequel, igniting debate in certain religious circles though there’s been no official statement from Gibson or his production team on the casting specifics as of today. A viral YouTube special in early November featured Gibson candidly reflecting on faith, his checkered past, and the enduring mysteries surrounding the original Passion of the Christ—particularly claims of on-set miracles. Gibson’s discussion of faith and transformatio This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.