Mel Gibson Casts New Jesus In Upcoming Passion Sequel

More than two decades after Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ became a cultural and box office phenomenon, the highly anticipated sequel is officially moving forward. Titled The Resurrection of the Christ, the film has begun production in Rome and has announced a completely new cast for its iconic roles, signaling a fresh direction for the next chapter in the biblical story.

This article provides a detailed look at the Mel Gibson Resurrection of the Christ casting news, exploring the new actors stepping into the roles of Jesus and Mary Magdalene, the reasons behind the recasting, and what we know so far about the film’s production, ambitious storyline, and release plans.

A New Face for Jesus and Mary Magdalene

The most significant news surrounding the sequel is the decision to recast the entire film. While Jim Caviezel’s portrayal of Jesus in the original movie was widely acclaimed, the new film will see Finnish actor Jaakko Ohtonen take on the central role. Ohtonen is best known to international audiences for his role as the warrior Wolland in the Netflix series The Last Kingdom. At 36, his casting aligns with the film’s narrative focus on the events immediately following the crucifixion.

Joining him is Cuban actress Mariela Garriga, who will play Mary Magdalene. Garriga has recently gained prominence for her role in the Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning films. The recasting extends to other key characters as well, with Polish-born actress Kasia Smutniak playing Mary, the mother of Jesus, and Italian actor Pier Luigi Pasino portraying Peter. Other notable cast members include Riccardo Scamarcio as Pontius Pilate and Rupert Everett in an important, yet undisclosed, role.

Why the Complete Recast?

The decision to move on from the original cast, particularly Caviezel, has been a major point of discussion. Caviezel himself had expressed his readiness to return to the role. However, a source close to the production explained the creative reasoning behind the change.

The sequel’s story reportedly begins immediately after the crucifixion and covers the three days leading up to the resurrection. The source told Variety, “Because of the time frame in which The Resurrection of the Christ takes place… it made sense to recast the whole film. They would have had to do all this CGI stuff, all this digital stuff — de-aging and all that — that would have been very costly.” By casting younger actors, the production avoids the technical and financial hurdles of digitally altering the appearances of actors who are now 20 years older.

An Ambitious, Two-Part “Acid Trip”

Mel Gibson, who returns to direct and produce, has been developing the sequel for years. He co-wrote the script with Randall Wallace, the screenwriter behind Braveheart. The storyline is expected to be a complex and profound exploration of the resurrection, delving into the spiritual and metaphysical dimensions of the event.

Gibson has described the film in typically vivid terms, calling the narrative an “acid trip” and stating he has “never read anything like” the scripts. This suggests the sequel will not be a straightforward depiction of the biblical accounts but may explore the spiritual battles that took place in the three days between Jesus’ death and resurrection, potentially involving the fall of the angels and events in hell. This ambitious scope is further confirmed by the plan to release the film in two parts.

Production and Release Details

The Resurrection of the Christ has begun filming at the historic Cinecittà Studios in Rome, a legendary location that has hosted countless epic productions. Gibson is producing the film through his Icon Productions company, with Lionsgate slated to handle the distribution. Like its predecessor, the film is expected to be a visceral and intense cinematic experience, though it remains to be seen if it will also utilize ancient languages like Aramaic, Hebrew, and Latin.

The release plan for the film is as ambitious as its story. The studio is targeting a two-part rollout in 2027:

• The Resurrection of the Christ: Part One is scheduled to be released on Good Friday, March 26, 2027.
• Part Two is planned to follow 40 days later on Ascension Day, May 6, 2027.

This release strategy aims to align the film’s debut with the Christian holy days, creating a significant cultural event for audiences worldwide, much like the original film did in 2004.

A New Chapter for a Landmark Film

The original Passion of the Christ was a cinematic marvel, an independent film that grossed over $612 million worldwide and became a global talking point. Its sequel is one of the most anticipated film projects of the decade. The news of the Mel Gibson Resurrection of the Christ casting marks a definitive step forward, signaling a new vision for a story that continues to captivate millions. With a new cast, a bold two-part structure, and Gibson’s uncompromising directorial style, the film is poised to be another powerful and controversial cinematic event.