The Passion of the Christ: Resurrection

The Passion of the Christ: Resurrection is an upcoming American epic biblical drama film co-produced and directed by Mel Gibson, who wrote the script alongside Randall Wallace. Starring Jim Caviezel as Jesus, the film is a sequel to The Passion of the Christ (2004), focusing on the three days between Jesus' death and resurrection. Alongside Caviezel, Maia Morgenstern and Francesco De Vito will reprise their roles as Mary and Peter the Apostle, respectively.

The Passion of the Christ: Resurrection is produced by Icon Productions.

Background
Being a sequel to The Passion of the Christ (2004), the film will focus on the events that transpired during the three days between the crucifixion and resurrection when Jesus descended to Abraham's Bosom, where he preached and resurrected Old Testament saints. Gibson has stated in separate interviews that the fall of the Angels and the Harrowing of Hell would also be key parts of the film.

In July 2023, Gibson stated that he has two versions of the script that he is working on; one is more grounded, whereas the other explores various realms and includes fallen angels in hell. Gibson states, "I have two scripts and one of them is very structured and very strong script and kind of more what should expect and the other is like an acid trip. Because you’re going into other realms and stuff. I mean you’re in hell and you’re watching the angels fall. It’s like crazy."

According to Edward Pentin from the National Catholic Register, the film will "cover step-by-step the events leading up to the Resurrection as experienced by the Apostles, but will also follow the intrigues that took place in Herod's palace and end with the events that took place in Jerusalem on Resurrection Sunday". Furthermore, Resurrection will be a nonlinear, introspective film, where "other realms" and "dimensions" would be explored.

Cast

 * Jim Caviezel as Jesus Christ
 * Maia Morgenstern as Mary, the mother of Jesus
 * Francesco De Vito as Peter

Development
In June 2016, writer Randall Wallace stated that he and Mel Gibson had begun work on a sequel to The Passion of the Christ (2004) which will focus on the resurrection of Jesus and the events surrounding the resurrection. Wallace previously worked with Gibson as the screenwriter for Braveheart (1995), director of We Were Soldiers (2002), and as an uncredited screenwriter for Hacksaw Ridge (2016). In September of that year, Gibson expressed his interest in directing it. He estimated that release of the film was still "probably three years off", stating that "it is a big project". In January 2018, Jim Caviezel was in negotiations with Gibson to reprise his role as Jesus Christ in the sequel. In March 2020, Caviezel stated in an interview that the film was in its fifth draft. Later that year, Caviezel said that Gibson had sent him the third draft of the screenplay. Caviezel stated that "the film will shock audiences" and predicted that "it will be the biggest film the world has ever seen."

Filming
In January 2023, a report stated that the film would begin production in mid-2023, around spring, with Jim Caviezel set to return in the role of Jesus. Christo Jivkov was reported to reprise his role as John the disciple, before dying in March 2023 from cancer.

The film will be produced independently and shot in Italy at Cinecittà Studios in Rome, and on location in the city of Matera and the ghost town of Craco, both in the Basilicata region. Parts of the film will also be shot in Mexico.