Mel Gibson, after less successful efforts like the movie Flight Risk, has completed production on The Resurrection of the Christ, his two-part follow-up to The Passion of the Christ.
The Resurrection of the Christ stars Jaakko Ohtonen as Jesus, after Gibson decided to recast Jim Caviezel and save on de-aging CGI. Above, check out a first look at the new Christ — albeit from a distance.
Along with sharing a first look, Liongate has also shifted the films’ release dates, with Part 1 now set to be released on May 6th, 2027 and Part 2 due to premiere May 25th, 2028. Gibson had originally intended to release both films in 2027.
In a statement shared by Variety, Gibson said “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. 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.”
Ohtonen isn’t the only recasting: Mary Magdalene, portrayed by Monica Bellucci in Passion, is now being played by Mariela Garriga (Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning). The new cast also includes Kasia Smutniak as Mary; Pier Luigi Pasino as Peter; Riccardo Scamarcio as Pontius Pilate; and Rupert Everett in an unspecified role to be revealed.
The first sequel will pick up three days after the events of the first film.
