Mel Gibson Reveals First Look at Long Awaited Resurrection of the Christ

22 May 2026

Jaakko Ohtonen as Jesus in 'The Resurrection of the Christ: Part One.'. Credit : Elise Lockwood/Lionsgate

More than two decades after The Passion of the Christ became one of the most controversial and commercially successful religious films ever made, Mel Gibson has finally unveiled the first look at its long anticipated sequel, The Resurrection of the Christ. The reveal immediately reignited global conversation surrounding the ambitious project, which Gibson has described for years as deeply personal, spiritually significant, and unlike anything audiences have seen before. Alongside the first official image, Lionsgate also confirmed major updates about the film’s production and release plans, signaling that one of Hollywood’s most talked about biblical projects is finally becoming reality.

The newly released image features Finnish actor Jaakko Ohtonen stepping into the role of Jesus Christ, replacing Jim Caviezel, who portrayed Jesus in the original 2004 film. Standing against a rocky landscape with followers surrounding him, the image carries the same dramatic and painterly visual style that helped define The Passion of the Christ more than twenty years ago. The casting change became one of the biggest surprises surrounding the sequel because Caviezel had long been associated with the role. Reports indicate the filmmakers ultimately decided against using expensive digital de aging technology that would have been necessary since the sequel takes place only days after the crucifixion.

The sequel itself has grown far larger than many originally expected. Rather than a single film, The Resurrection of the Christ will now be released as a two part epic. Part One is scheduled to arrive on May 6, 2027, while Part Two will follow on May 25, 2028. Both release dates intentionally coincide with Ascension Day, one of Christianity’s most important holidays. Filming reportedly lasted 134 days across several locations in Italy including Rome, Matera, Bari, Craco, and Brindisi, with production finally wrapping earlier this year after years of delays, rewrites, and speculation about whether the film would ever happen at all.

Gibson described the project as one of the defining missions of his life. In statements released alongside the first look, the filmmaker said the movie demanded everything from him creatively and emotionally. He called the story “the most important story in human history” and emphasized that the sequel means far more to him than simply another film project. The director also reunited with several longtime collaborators from the original movie in hopes of preserving the same visual intensity and emotional realism that made The Passion of the Christ such a cultural phenomenon despite its controversies.

What makes the sequel especially intriguing is Gibson’s description of its tone and scope. Over the last several years, he has repeatedly hinted that the story will move far beyond a straightforward retelling of Christ’s resurrection. In interviews, Gibson described the script as highly ambitious, nonlinear, and even “a little sci fi” in its structure. According to the filmmaker, the story explores spiritual realms, the fall of angels, Hell, and the broader cosmic battle surrounding the resurrection narrative. He previously told podcaster Joe Rogan that the screenplay feels like “an acid trip,” emphasizing how surreal and visually challenging the material may become on screen.

The original Passion of the Christ remains one of the most financially successful independent films ever made, earning more than $610 million worldwide despite being filmed primarily in Aramaic, Latin, and Hebrew. The movie sparked enormous debate upon release due to its graphic violence, religious themes, and accusations of antisemitism, yet it also developed a massive global following among Christian audiences. For many viewers, it became far more than entertainment and was treated almost like a spiritual event. That legacy now creates enormous expectations surrounding the sequel, especially as faith based films continue gaining strength at the global box office.

The first look at The Resurrection of the Christ signals more than simply the return of a famous movie franchise. It represents Gibson revisiting one of the most defining and divisive projects of his career while attempting something even larger and more experimental than the original film. Whether audiences ultimately embrace the sequel or debate it as intensely as its predecessor, the project already feels destined to become one of the most discussed cinematic releases of the decade. For supporters, it promises an epic spiritual journey unlike anything modern Hollywood usually attempts. For critics, it raises fresh questions about how religion, spectacle, and controversial storytelling intersect in contemporary cinema. Either way, after more than twenty years of waiting, the resurrection story is finally moving back onto the big screen.