By Leah MarieAnn Klett, Assistant Editor Tuesday, May 05, 2026

Filming has wrapped on “The Resurrection of the Christ,” the long-awaited sequel to "The Passion of the Christ," marking a major milestone for director Mel Gibson’s follow-up to one of the most commercially successful faith-based films of all time.

Videos circulating on social media in recent days confirm that production has concluded in Italy on the two-part project, which has spent years in development amid script revisions, casting changes and ongoing speculation.

The sequel, titled “The Resurrection of the Christ: Part One,” is scheduled for release on March 26, 2027, followed by “Part Two” on May 6, 2027. The dates align with key points on the Christian calendar, with the first installment debuting on Good Friday and the second arriving on Ascension Day, 40 days later.

The film revisits the story of Jesus Christ following the crucifixion, focusing on the events surrounding the resurrection. Unlike the 2004 original, the sequel features an entirely new cast. Finnish actor Jaakko Ohtonen takes on the role of Jesus, replacing Jim Caviezel. The ensemble also includes Mariela Garriga as Mary Magdalene, Pier Luigi Pasino as Peter, Kasia Smutniak as Mary, Riccardo Scamarcio as Pontius Pilate and Rupert Everett in a supporting role.

Because the story takes place just days after the crucifixion, producers said they opted to recast rather than rely on digital de-aging technology.

“It made sense to recast the whole film,” a source close to the production previously told Variety. “They would have had to do all this CGI stuff — de-aging and all that — that would have been very costly.”

Production began at Rome’s Cinecittà Studios, the same location used for the original film, and extended to several historic sites in southern Italy, including Matera and surrounding towns.

Gibson, who co-wrote the screenplay with “Braveheart” writer Randall Wallace, has previously described the sequel as an unconventional exploration of theological themes, including Hell, Sheol, the fall of angels and the origin of Satan. He characterized the script as “an acid trip,” signaling a departure from a straightforward retelling of the Gospel narrative.

The original "The Passion of the Christ" grossed more than $610 million worldwide and became one of the highest-grossing independent films in history. 

In a 2022 interview with CP, Gibson revealed he’s drawn to stories that highlight redemption and the need for a Savior.

“I've been taught from a young age that we're flawed, and you’re going to make mistakes,” he reflected. “We're broken, and we need help. Usually, the best way to get help is to ask for it. And well, who do we ask? We're asking something better than us. And the minute you acknowledge that there is something better than you, you might get something that resembles humility, which is really the key to the whole thing.”

Gibson encouraged the next generation to “stick” to their “convictions” even though it’s “hard” in an increasingly polarized society. 

“Sometimes you're presented with choices or put in places that are very difficult, and some of those choices are hard,” he said. “You just have to examine your own conscience and take the right road, I think. … There's no right way; there are a million wrong ways, and you just have to eliminate those or just use your best discernment to get through it."

“But it’s hard, man,” he added. “Life's hard. But we're all going. We’ve all got a boulder we’re dragging.”

News Source : https://www.christianpost.com/news/mel-gibsons-resurrection-of-the-christ-wraps-filming.html