Mel Gibson is set to return to the director’s chair for “The Resurrection of the Christ,” a long-anticipated follow-up to his groundbreaking 2004 film “The Passion of the Christ.” Lionsgate will distribute the project, the studio recently announced.
The film reunites Gibson and producer Bruce Davey under their Icon Productions banner with Lionsgate, which previously partnered with the director on the Oscar-nominated “Hacksaw Ridge” and the upcoming thriller “Flight Risk.” “The Resurrection” will explore the three days between the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus, focusing on the psychological and spiritual aftermath experienced by his followers.
“For many, many people across the globe, ‘The Resurrection of the Christ’ is the most anticipated theatrical event in a generation,” said Adam Fogelson, chair of Lionsgate Motion Picture Group. “It is also an awe-inspiring and spectacularly epic theatrical film that is going to leave moviegoers worldwide breathless.”
Gibson called Lionsgate “brave” and “innovative,” praising the studio’s “clever ingenuity, passion, and ambition.” He added, “I couldn’t think of a more perfect distributor for ‘The Resurrection of the Christ.’”
Gibson has enlisted “Braveheart” screenwriter Randall Wallace to pen the script. Wallace, who studied theology in college, said he has been exploring the Resurrection since his student days and described the project as deeply meaningful. “I’m not ready to talk much about the movie,” Wallace said on his website, “except to say that I’m deeply excited and committed to the story.”
Gibson first hinted at the film during an appearance at a Harvest Crusade hosted by Pastor Greg Laurie, noting that “The Resurrection” would not be a sequel. “It’s not ‘Passion 2,’” he said. “It’s called ‘The Resurrection.’ Of course, that’s a very big subject… we don’t want to just do a simple rendering.”
According to The National Catholic Register, returning cast members include Maia Morgenstern as Mary, Francesco De Vito as Peter, and the late Christo Jivkov, who portrayed Pilate in the original. Filming is expected to take place in Israel, Morocco, and parts of Europe, including Italy.
“The Passion of the Christ,” released in 2004, was a cultural phenomenon, grossing $370 million domestically and over $610 million worldwide on a $30 million budget. It held the title of the highest-grossing R-rated film in the U.S. for nearly two decades.
No release date has been announced for “The Resurrection of the Christ.”
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