More than 20 years after The Passion of the Christ shocked audiences and became a box office hit, director Mel Gibson is finally bringing its long-awaited sequel to life. Titled The Resurrection of the Christ, the film is set to start filming in August 2025 at Rome’s Cinecittà Studios, with a planned release in 2026.
Jim Caviezel Returns as Jesus
Jim Caviezel, whose powerful performance as Jesus in the original film made him a cultural icon, will reprise his role. Since Caviezel is now 56, Gibson revealed in an interview with Joe Rogan that he will use digital technology to “de-age” the actor for certain scenes.
Other returning cast members include Maia Morgenstern as the Virgin Mary and Francesco De Vito as St. Peter.
What Will the Sequel Cover?
While the first film focused only on Jesus’ final 12 hours, The Resurrection of the Christ promises to explore much more. Gibson, who co-wrote the script with his brother Donal and Braveheart writer Randall Wallace, hinted that the movie will cover everything from “the fall of the angels to the death of the last apostle.”
This broader scope could address one of the main criticisms of The Passion of the Christ—that it focused too much on Jesus’ suffering without fully exploring his teachings or the deeper meaning behind his sacrifice.
A Story Beyond the Crucifixion
The original movie ended with a brief glimpse of the resurrected Jesus, but the sequel will dive into the full story of his return, his encounters with his disciples, and the impact of his resurrection on the world.
With The Passion of the Christ making over $612 million and remaining the highest-grossing R-rated film domestically for over two decades, expectations are high for the sequel. If Gibson delivers on his vision, The Resurrection of the Christ could be just as powerful—if not more so—than the original.