Mel Gibson's THE RESURRECTION OF THE CHRIST New Cast Revealed

Mel Gibson's long-delayed sequel "The Resurrection of the Christ" has assembled a new cast. Because the new film is set three days after the evens depicted in "The Passion of the Christ"), but it's been more than 20 years since the making of the first film, Gibson was forced to find new actors for the main roles.

As filming started last week at Rome's Cinecitta Studios in Italy, the new cast has been announced. Finnish actor Jaakko Ohtonen ("The Last Kingdom") has been cast in the role of Jesus, replacing original star Jim Caviezel. Mary Magdalene, a role originally played by Monica Bellucci, is now being played by Cuban actress Mariela Garriga ("Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning"), while Polish-born actor Kasia Smutniak ("Domina") is replacing Maia Morgenstern as Mary. Peter is being played by Pier Luigi Pasino ("The Law According to Lidia Poët", and the Pontius Pilate role will be played by Riccardo Scamarcio ("Modi"). Rupert Everett is also set to appear in an unspecified small but important role.

Besides Cinecittà, where it occupies the new Studio 22 facility, the film will also shoot in the ancient southern Italian town of Matera. Gibson is expected to shoot the sequel in other ancient Southern Italian rural locations, including Ginosa, Gravina Laterza and Altamura.

Released in 2004, "The Passion of the Christ" became one of the largest-grossing independent films of all time with a worldwide box office of $610 million, and for a long time was the highest grossing R-rated film ever made. That title now belongs to 2024's "Deadpool & Wolverine". "The Resurrection of the Christ" will be split into two films, with each part set to release in 2027. The sequel is being produced by Gibson, Bruce Davey and their Icon Productions banner with Lionsgate as the studio partner.

The screenplay was written by Gibson and Randall Wallace ("Braveheart", "We Were Soldiers"). Story details are being kept under wraps. "The Resurrection of the Christ Part One" is scheduled for Good Friday on March 26, 2027, while "Part Two" is set for 40 days later on Ascension Day, May 6. Lionsgate will release the films in theaters.

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