Mel Gibson’s Jesus Sequel: New Cast Revealed

Mel Gibson Recasts ‘Resurrection of the Christ’ with Jaakko Ohtonen as Jesus

A highly anticipated sequel to the 2004 blockbuster “the passion of the Christ” is moving forward with a entirely new cast and a release date set for 2027.

After over two decades, Mel Gibson is revisiting the story of Jesus Christ with “The Resurrection of the Christ,” a two-part film series. Production began last week at Rome’s Cinecittà Studios, but not without meaningful changes. The director has opted for a full recast, replacing Jim Caviezel, who famously portrayed Jesus in “The Passion of the Christ,” with Finnish actor Jaakko Ohtonen.

The decision to recast stems from the narrative focus of the sequel. As the film depicts events three days after the crucifixion, a source close to the production explained, “it made sense to recast the whole film.” The option – utilizing extensive CGI to de-age the original cast – was deemed prohibitively expensive. “They woudl have to do all this CGI stuff, all this digital stuff… that would have been very costly,” the source stated.

Ohtonen, 36, is known for his role as the Dane warrior Wolland in the fifth season of Netflix’s “The Last Kingdom.” The new ensemble also includes Mariela Garriga as Mary Magdalene, taking over from Monica Bellucci; kasia Smutniak as Mary, replacing Maia Morgenstern; Pier Luigi Pasino as Peter; and Riccardo Scamarcio as Pontius Pilate.Rupert Everett will appear in an unspecified, yet important, role.

Did you know? – “The Passion of the Christ” was independently financed, largely by gibson himself, and faced initial distribution challenges due to its graphic content.

Gibson intends to build on that success, describing the scripts – co-written with “Braveheart” screenwriter Randall Wallace – as an “acid trip,” unlike anything he’s encountered before.

Filming will extend beyond Cinecittà to the ancient southern Italian town of Matera,and other rural locations including Ginosa,Gravina Laterza and Altamura. The film will continue the tradition of its predecessor by being spoken in Aramaic, Hebrew, and Latin, aiming for historical accuracy and an immersive experience.

Pro tip: – Filming in Matera, Italy, offers a historically accurate backdrop. The town is known for its ancient cave dwellings, called “Sassi,” wich date back to the Paleolithic era.

“The Resurrection of the Christ Part One” is scheduled for release on Good Friday, March 26, 2027, with “Part two” following 40 days later on Ascension Day, May 6. Lionsgate will distribute the films theatrically. While plot details remain largely under wraps, the focus will undoubtedly be on the resurrection of Jesus Christ, marking a new chapter in this epic cinematic retelling.

Why: Mel Gibson is producing a two-part sequel to “The Passion of the Christ” focusing on the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
who: The film stars Jaakko Ohtonen as Jesus, replacing Jim Caviezel, alongside Mariela Garriga, Kasia smutniak, Pier Luigi Pasino, Riccardo Scamarcio, and Rupert Everett. Mel Gibson directs, with Randall Wallace co-writing the script. Lionsgate will distribute.
What: “The Resurrection of the Christ” will depict the events following the crucifixion of Jesus, specifically his resurrection and ascension. It will be released in two parts.
How: Production began at Cinecittà Studios in Rome and will expand to locations in southern Italy. The film will be shot in Aramaic, Hebrew, and Latin. The original cast was replaced due to narrative needs and cost considerations regarding CGI de-aging.
How did it end?: The film is currently in production, with “Part One” scheduled for release on March 26, 2027, and “Part Two” on May 6, 2027. Plot details are being kept confidential.