Mel Gibson recasts Jesus for Passion Of The Christ sequel
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Mel Gibson is advancing his much-anticipated sequel to the 2004 hit, “The Passion of the Christ,” with a fresh ensemble, stirring up discontent among fans.

Two decades since the original biblical drama captivated audiences, the 69-year-old Gibson is poised to unveil “The Resurrection of the Christ,” a sequel that has been long in the making.

In the initial film, Jim Caviezel, now 57, portrayed Jesus Christ, with Monica Bellucci, 61, as Mary Magdalene. However, the passage of time necessitated a change in the casting lineup.

“Recasting the entire movie was the logical choice,” a source from the production team explained to Variety. “Using CGI for de-aging the actors would have been prohibitively expensive.”

“The Resurrection of the Christ,” which explores the events three days post-crucifixion, will feature Finnish actor Jaakko Ohtonen, 36, stepping into the role of Jesus.

Meanwhile Cuban actress Mariela Garriga, 36, will take on the role of Mary Magdalene.

Mel Gibson's highly-anticipated sequel to the 2004 film, The Passion of the Christ, is moving forward with a new cast, sparking outrage from fans; Jim Caviezel pictured as Jesus Christ

Mel Gibson’s highly-anticipated sequel to the 2004 film, The Passion of the Christ, is moving forward with a new cast, sparking outrage from fans; Jim Caviezel pictured as Jesus Christ

Over 20 years after the release of his biblical drama, Gibson, 69, is set to return with his long-delayed follow-up film, The Resurrection of the Christ; Gibson seen in Rome in September

Over 20 years after the release of his biblical drama, Gibson, 69, is set to return with his long-delayed follow-up film, The Resurrection of the Christ; Gibson seen in Rome in September

Ohtonen is known for playing the role of Wolland in the historical drama The Last Kingdom, which is set during the Viking invasions of 9th and 10th-century England. 

Meanwhile Garriga starred opposite Tom Cruise in the Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning films as Marie. 

The choice to recast sparked an outcry from fans, with one writing on X, ‘Recasting Jesus is blasphemous work.’

‘Caveziel must be devastated. He’s been talking about this film since 2012,’ another added of the actor, who’s a devout Roman Catholic.

‘I thought they were gonna use Jim And use CGI to make him look younger,’ someone else wrote.

‘Should’ve kept Jim Caviezel. Wonder why he left the film. Maybe script was too intense for him? Or too demanding? Idk, but Caviezel returning would made the film more powerful since you would’ve followed him from the first film.’

‘They couldn’t cast someone who at least kinda looks like Jim Caviezel?’

Others wondered if the actor and Gibson had a ‘falling out’ to prompt the decision. 

The original film starred Caviezel, 57, as Christ, and Monica Bellucci, 61, as Mary Magdalene, but they've had to be recast due to the time gap; Maia Morgenstern and Bellucci seen as Mary and Mary Magdalene

The original film starred Caviezel, 57, as Christ, and Monica Bellucci, 61, as Mary Magdalene, but they’ve had to be recast due to the time gap; Maia Morgenstern and Bellucci seen as Mary and Mary Magdalene

The Resurrection of the Christ will star Finnish actor Jaakko Ohtonen, 36, in the role of Christ; He is seen in a still from The Last Kingdom

Meanwhile Cuban actress Mariela Garriga, 36, will take on the role of Mary Magdalene; She is pictured in May

The Resurrection of the Christ will star Finnish actor Jaakko Ohtonen, 36 (L) in the role of Christ. Meanwhile Cuban actress Mariela Garriga, 36 (R) will take on the role of Mary Magdalene

The choice to recast sparked an outcry from fans, with one writing on X, 'Recasting Jesus is blasphemous work'

The choice to recast sparked an outcry from fans, with one writing on X, ‘Recasting Jesus is blasphemous work’

‘What happened? What changed? Wasn’t Jim hyping up this movie since forever?’ one fan wondered. 

But some commenters understood that Caviezel’s age was the primary factor that required him — and other stars — to be recast.

‘Now, it makes sense why the entire cast was replaced. De-aging is not only expensive. It’s also a complicated process,’ one fan wrote before sharing their confidence in the sequel. ‘Gibson is a great director. He can still deliver a solid film with any actor.’ 

Another poster wrote, ‘Love it! Recasting is better than ‘de-aging.’

But many commenters indicated that they might have had an issue even with Caviezel returning, as they thought Gibson shouldn’t have cast a white actor to play a Middle Eastern man from more than 2,000 years ago.

Several users poked fun at the latest casting, with some people noting that Caviezel was at least made up to have darker features in the original film.

One person said that Paramour’s ‘Hayley Williams said it best’ and quoted her song True Believer: ‘They say that Jesus is the way but then they gave him a white face / So they don’t have to pray to someone they deem lesser than them.’

‘So we’re just gonna perpetuate the idea that Jesus was a white guy. Lol, okay Mel 😂,’ one user wrote.

But some commenters understood that Jim Caviezel's age was the primary factor that required him — and other stars — to be recast

But some commenters understood that Jim Caviezel’s age was the primary factor that required him — and other stars — to be recast

 

But many commenters indicated that they might have had an issue even with Caviezel returning, as they thought Gibson shouldn't have cast a white actor to play a Middle Eastern man from more than 2,000 years ago

But many commenters indicated that they might have had an issue even with Caviezel returning, as they thought Gibson shouldn’t have cast a white actor to play a Middle Eastern man from more than 2,000 years ago 

 

One account wrote that Ohtonen was a 'DEI Jesus,' while another person joked, 'Jesus was Finnish confirmed'

One account wrote that Ohtonen was a ‘DEI Jesus,’ while another person joked, ‘Jesus was Finnish confirmed’

Amid the complaints about Ohtonen's casting as Jesus, one fan shared an alternate actress to play Mary Magdalene. 'Would like to see Jennifer Lawrence in Magdalene role,' they wrote

Amid the complaints about Ohtonen’s casting as Jesus, one fan shared an alternate actress to play Mary Magdalene. ‘Would like to see Jennifer Lawrence in Magdalene role,’ they wrote

One account wrote that Ohtonen was a ‘DEI Jesus,’ while another person joked, ‘Jesus was Finnish confirmed.’

Amid the complaints about Ohtonen’s casting as Jesus, one fan shared an alternate actress to play Mary Magdalene. 

‘Would like to see Jennifer Lawrence in Magdalene role,’ they wrote. 

Other stars of the new cast include Polish actress Kasia Smutniak, 46, who previously starred in the TV show Domina. She will replace Maia Morgenstern as Jesus’ mother, Mary. 

The Apostle Peter will be played by Italian star Pier Luigi Pasino, who stars on Netflix’s The Law According to Lidia Poët. 

Meanwhile Pontius Pilate will be played by Riccardo Scamarcio. The Italian actor recently led the Johnny Depp-directed biopic Modi.

English actor Rupert Everett, 66, is also set to appear in the film and has an ‘unspecified small but important role.’ 

The casting decision appears to be a recent one, as just in April Caviezel seemed to suggest that he was ready to reprise his role while appearing on the Arroyo Grande podcast

'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,' a source close to the production told Variety; Gibson seen on set with Caviezel in 2003

‘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,’ a source close to the production told Variety; Gibson seen on set with Caviezel in 2003

It comes after Caviezel ¿ who previously revealed he nearly died while shooting the film ¿ seemed to suggest that he was ready to reprise his role while appearing on the Arroyo Grande podcast in April

It comes after Caviezel — who previously revealed he nearly died while shooting the film — seemed to suggest that he was ready to reprise his role while appearing on the Arroyo Grande podcast in April

‘Now I get these bonus years and I had no idea [on the original film]. At the time, after I was done, it was done,’ he shared on the podcast.

Caviezel shared that he first learned there would be a sequel to The Passion of the Christ in 2013.

The actor previously revealed he nearly died while shooting The Passion of The Christ, claiming he was struck by lightning, suffered heart failure, a dislocated shoulder, and severe hypothermia.

When asked if he was ‘worried’ to take on the role again, he said, ‘Of course I am, but that will never [go away]… but I was worried on the last one.’

He said this time around he would like to ‘really stay in this moment,’ adding, ‘I want to enjoy this one more than I did the other one.’

Gibson, Bruce Davey, and their company Icon Productions are producing The Resurrection of the Christ, with Lionsgate serving as the studio partner.

Gibson is expected to shoot the film in a number of ancient Southern Italian rural locations, including Ginosa, Matera, and Altamura. 

Plot details have remained under wraps, with Mel set to both co-write the script and also direct. 

Other stars of the new cast include Polish actress Kasia Smutniak, 46. She will replace Morgenstern as Jesus' mother, Mary; Smutniak seen in September

Pontius Pilate will be played by Riccardo Scamarcio. The Italian actor recently led the Johnny Depp-directed biopic Modi; Seen in 2024

Polish actress Kasia Smutniak, 46 (L) will replace Morgenstern as Jesus’ mother, Mary, while Pontius Pilate will be played by Riccardo Scamarcio (R)

English actor Rupert Everett, 66, is also set to appear in the film and has an 'unspecified small but important role'; He is seen in 2018

English actor Rupert Everett, 66, is also set to appear in the film and has an ‘unspecified small but important role’; He is seen in 2018

The sequel is set to be split into two parts.

The first will premiere in theaters on Good Friday, March 26, 2027. Meanwhile part 2 will premiere on Ascension Day, Thursday, May 6, 2027.

Mel opened up about the project during an appearance on the Joe Rogan Experience earlier this year.

He stated that the upcoming movie is ‘very ambitious’ and said the premise will follow, ‘the fall of the angels to the death of the last apostle.’

Gibson continued, ‘I think in order to really tell the story properly you have to really start with the fall of the angels, which means you’re in another place, you’re in another realm. You need to go to hell. You need to go to Sheol.’

The star further expressed, ‘It’s about finding the way in that’s not cheesy or too obvious.’

‘I think I have ideas about how to do that and how to evoke things and emotions in people from the way you depict it and the way you shoot it. So I’ve been thinking about it for a long time.’

Mel admitted that tackling the film is ‘not going to be easy, and it’s going to require a lot of planning and I’m not wholly sure I can pull it off.’

Gibson stated that the upcoming movie is 'very ambitious' and said the premise will follow, 'the fall of the angels to the death of the last apostle'; Seen on the Joe Rogan podcast this year

Gibson stated that the upcoming movie is ‘very ambitious’ and said the premise will follow, ‘the fall of the angels to the death of the last apostle’; Seen on the Joe Rogan podcast this year

‘To tell you the truth, it’s super ambitious. But I’ll take a crack at it because that’s what you’ve got to do, right, walk up to the plate, right?’ 

The Passion Of The Christ was a box office success and brought in around $612 million globally.

The film cost $30 million to make, was shot in Italy and the dialogue was in Aramaic, Herbew and Latin.

The R-rated movie also courted controversy with its graphic violence.

The Oscar-nominated project also became the highest-grossing independent film of all time as well as highest-grossing Christian film of all time.

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