When does The Resurrection of the Christ come out? What we know about Mel Gibson's Passion of the...

Jason Sargent Wednesday, May 27, 2026

Gibson recently wrapped filming on his long-awaited sequels, which he’s described as “an acid trip.”

When does The Resurrection of the Christ come out? What we know about Mel Gibson’s* Passion of the Christ *sequels

Gibson recently wrapped filming on his long-awaited sequels, which he's described as "an acid trip."

May 26, 2026 2:02 p.m. ET

Jaako Ohtonen as Jesus Christ in 'The Resurrection of the Christ'

Jaako Ohtonen as Jesus Christ in 'The Resurrection of the Christ'. Credit:

- Mel Gibson recently wrapped filming on *The Resurrection of the Christ*.

- *The Passion of the Christ* sequel is expected to unfold in two parts.

- Gibson shared a first look at actor Jaako Ohtonen as Jesus Christ.

Mel Gibson's sequel to 2004's *The Passion of the Christ** *has finally risen.

The polarizing actor-turned-director recently completed filming on his long-awaited *The Resurrection of the Christ*, which is expected to be split into two parts.

The first installment in Gibson's Biblical epic was a massive hit, generating over $611 million worldwide on a reported $30 million budget, financed by Gibson himself. Released in February 2004, *The Passion of the Christ* is an unflinching depiction of the final 12 hours of the life of Jesus Christ, played by Jim Caviezel. The film famously includes Jesus' flagellation and crucifixion, which are depicted in gruesome detail, while his resurrection is glimpsed briefly at the end of the film.

Gibson has been working on an official follow-up to *The Passion of the Christ* since at least 2016, when his *Braveheart* cowriter Randall Wallace confirmed he was collaborating with Gibson on a screenplay. There have been several eyebrow-raising updates in the decade since, with Gibson often describing the sequel as "an acid trip" that follows the titular savior into Hell.

Below, we've assembled everything we know so far about *The Resurrection of the Christ*.

What is The Resurrection of the Christ about?

Jim Caviezel as Jesus in 'The Passion of the Christ'

Jim Caviezel as Jesus in 'The Passion of the Christ'.

Newmarket/ Everett

There's been some confusion as to how Gibson can have enough material to make not just one, but two sequels to *The Passion of the Christ*. But according to the Bible, Jesus remained on Earth for 40 days after his resurrection, and Gibson says there is an additional story to be told about the three days between his crucifixion and return.

"In order to tell the story properly you have to start with the fall of the angels. You’re in another realm. You need to go Hell. You need to go to Sheol," Gibson explained to Joe Rogan in 2025, using the Hebrew word for the underworld. Gibson also confirmed that *Resurrection* will include a depiction of Satan, portrayed in *The Passion of the Christ* by Rosalinda Celentano.

Multiple Christian traditions describe the three days after the crucifixion as "The Harrowing of Hell," during which Jesus descended into the underworld and, according to some doctrines, saved the souls that had been held there since the beginning of time. It's pretty ambitious to attempt to depict these more fantastical narrative elements, even in the faith-based genre landscape, which typically sticks to playing the hits.

In an official statement, Gibson said of the two-part sequel, "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 twenty years to tell what I believe is the most important story in human history."

Stephen King on the ''Passion'' phenomenon

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Mel Gibson's Jesus is struck by lightning

Who’s playing Jesus in The Resurrection of the Christ?

Jaakko Ohtonen as Jesus in 'The Resurrection of the Christ'

Jaakko Ohtonen as Jesus in 'The Resurrection of the Christ'.

Caviezel was set to reprise his role as Jesus in *The Resurrection of the Christ* as recently as April 2025, when he said on a podcast that production would employ de-aging technology similar to what Martin Scorsese used in *The Irishman* (2019) to make it appear as though Jesus had only aged three days instead of 10 years. “I’m not going to play Jesus. I need Him to play me," he said. "That’s the only way this thing is going to work.”

Just six months later, in October 2025, it was revealed that Caviezel and many of his original co-stars had been replaced in the sequel because the de-aging process would be too costly.

Replacing Caviezel is Jaakko Ohtonen, a Finnish actor best known for his role in the British Netflix series *The Last Kingdom*. Lionsgate revealed the first official photo of Ohtonen as Jesus in *The Resurrection of the Christ* on May 21. "I’m deeply grateful to my incredibly talented cast and crew for pouring their hearts into this production," Gibson said in his statement. "Together, we created something powerful."

Who else is in The Resurrection of the Christ?

Monica Bellucci, Maia Morgenstern, and Christo Jivkov in 'The Passion of the Christ'

Monica Bellucci, Maia Morgenstern, and Christo Jivkov in 'The Passion of the Christ'. Newmarket/courtesy Everett Collection

In addition to Ohtonen, *The Resurrection of the Christ* features an all-new cast that includes Mariela Garriga as Mary Magdalene, replacing previous star Monica Bellucci. Garriga previously appeared in *Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning* (2023).

Polish-Italian actress Kasia Smutniak is portraying Mary, Jesus' mother, replacing Maia Morgenstern. *John Wick: Chapter 2 *(2017)* *actor Riccardo Scamarcio is playing Pontius Pilate, replacing Hristo Shopov. Peter is played by Italian actor Pier Luigi Pasino, replacing Francesco De Vito. Gabriele Rollo is playing John, replacing Christo Jivkov, who passed away in 2023.

Additional cast members include Lorenzo James Henrie (*Fear the Walking Dead*), Lorenzo Richelmy (Netflix's *Marco Polo*), Vincenzo Nemolato (*La chimera*), and Rupert Everett (*My Best Friend's Wedding*). Per *Variety*, Everett is playing an "unspecified small but important role" in the sequels.

Is there a Resurrection of the Christ trailer?

As of this writing, a trailer has yet to be released for *The Resurrection of the Christ*. We'll update this piece when there is one.