Mel Gibson unveils first look at ‘Resurrection of the Christ,’ delays release

Mel Gibson has released the first official image from “The Resurrection of the Christ,” the long-anticipated sequel to his 2004 blockbuster “The Passion of the Christ” — and announced new release dates for both parts of the two-film epic.

Filming on the project has wrapped, with production concluding ahead of schedule after 134 days of shooting in Rome, Bari, Ginosa, Craco, Brindisi and Matera, Italy. The first look, released by Lionsgate, is a production still depicting Finnish actor Jaakko Ohtonen — who takes over the role of Jesus Christ from Jim Caviezel — leading a crowd atop a hill. 

Part One has been pushed back a few months from its original March 26, 2027, opening to May 6, 2027. Part Two, previously scheduled for May 6, 2027, has been moved back a full year to May 25, 2028. Both installments are now set to open on Ascension Day, the Christian holiday commemorating the ascension of Jesus into heaven — a change from the original schedule, which had Part One opening on Good Friday. 

Mr. Ohtonen’s casting came after Mr. Caviezel and Monica Bellucci exited the production. A source close to the production said the decision came down to de-aging costs, telling Variety that “it made sense to recast the whole film” rather than pursue costly CGI work on the original cast. A separate source cited both de-aging expenses and scheduling conflicts as factors, and noted there had been “a lot of back and forth” on the decision.

As recently as April, Mr. Caviezel had suggested on a podcast that he was preparing to reprise the role. The new ensemble includes Mariela Garriga as Mary Magdalene, Pier Luigi Pasino as Peter, Kasia Smutniak as Mary, Riccardo Scamarcio as Pontius Pilate and Rupert Everett in an undisclosed role. 

The screenplay was co-written with “Braveheart” writer Randall Wallace. Mr. Gibson said in a statement reported by Variety that the project has consumed more than two decades of his life. “This film represents a major part of my life’s work, and it has demanded everything of me as a filmmaker and as an artist,” he said. “This is far more than a film to me. It’s a mission I’ve carried for over 20 years to tell what I believe is the most important story in human history.”

Adam Fogelson, chair of the Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, praised Mr. Gibson in a statement published by The Hollywood Reporter. “Mel is a true visionary with an artist’s eye for scale and a storyteller’s instinct for emotional truth,” Mr. Fogelson said. “There are very few directors who can operate at this level of epic spectacle while at the same time delivering such depth and conviction.”

“The Passion of the Christ” earned $610 million globally against a $30 million production budget, making it one of the biggest independent films in history, though its long-held record as the highest-grossing R-rated film domestically was surpassed by Disney’s 2024 release “Deadpool & Wolverine,” which took in $636 million at the domestic box office.

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