Mel Gibson's Passion Sequel: New Jesus Actor, Acid Trip Story, and 2027 Release

Mel Gibson BioSnap a weekly updated Biography. Mel Gibson is making headlines this week as filming officially kicked off on his long-awaited sequel to The Passion of the Christ. According to Variety and multiple entertainment outlets, production began in mid-October at Rome's Cinecittà Studios, the same location where Gibson shot the original 2004 blockbuster that earned over six hundred million dollars worldwide. The biggest surprise? Jim Caviezel, who became synonymous with the role of Jesus in the original film, has been replaced by Finnish actor Jaakko Ohtonen, best known for his work in The Last Kingdom. Sources close to the production told Variety that the decision to recast the entire film was driven by cost concerns, explaining they would have had to do extensive CGI de-aging work that would have been prohibitively expensive. Caviezel is now fifty-seven years old, and portraying a thirty-three-year-old Jesus would have required what one outlet called a miracle of its own. The recasting extends beyond just Jesus. Cuban actress Mariela Garriga from Mission Impossible Dead Reckoning is taking over as Mary Magdalene from Monica Bellucci, while Kasia Smutniak steps into the role of Mary, replacing Maia Morgenstern. Italian actor Riccardo Scamarcio will portray Pontius Pilate, and British actor Rupert Everett has joined the cast in what's being described as a small but important role. The film, titled The Resurrection of the Christ, takes place three days after the crucifixion and will be split into two parts. According to multiple reports, Part One is scheduled for release on Good Friday, March twenty-sixth, twenty twenty-seven, with Part Two following on Ascension Day, May sixth, twenty twenty-seven. Gibson co-wrote the screenplay with Braveheart writer Randall Wallace and has previously described the project as an acid trip, saying he'd never read anything like the scripts. The production is being handled by Gibson and Bruce Davey under their Icon Productions banner with Lionsgate serving as the studio partner. Filming locations will include not only Cinecittà but also the ancient southern Italian city of Matera and nearby towns including Ginosa, Gravina, Laterza, and Altamura. Get the best deals https://amzn.to/3ODvOta This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.