Mel Gibson Debuts Look at ‘Resurrection of Christ’
Get the Culture newsletter
Daily culture — film, music, books, the trends and ideas worth your attention. Free.
- Mel Gibson unveiled the first look at his upcoming two‑part epic “The Resurrection of the Christ,” a follow‑up to 2004’s “The Passion of the Christ.”
- Italy saw filming wrap after 134 days across Rome, Bari, Ginosa, Craco, Brindisi and Matera, concluding ahead of schedule.
- Release schedule shifted, with Part One now slated for May 6 2027 (instead of March 26) and Part Two for May 25 2028 (instead of May 6 2027), both set for Ascension Day.
- Jaakko Ohtonen will star as Jesus, joined by Mariela Garriga as Mary Magdalene, Pier Luigi Pasino, Kasia Smutniak, Riccardo Scamarcio and Rupert Everett.
- Lionsgate will distribute the film in North America, the United Kingdom and Latin America (via IDC), while Icon handles Australia and New Zealand and regional partners cover Europe and other territories.
- Gibson described the scripts as an “acid trip” and said he co‑wrote them with Randall Wallace, framing the project as a personal mission spanning over 20 years.
- The Passion of the Christ remains a top‑grossing independent film with $610 M worldwide, though its R‑rated record was overtaken by “Deadpool & Wolverine” in 2024.
Why it matters: The shift to Ascension Day releases gives Lionsgate and its international partners a high‑profile religious epic timed for a major Christian holiday, while the postponement moves the film out of the 2025‑2026 slate, delaying any box‑office revenue until 2027‑2028.
Ask SkimNews
