‘The Resurrection of the Christ’ Wraps Production: ‘It’s a Mission,’ Mel Gibson Says

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It’s safe to say that 2027 is shaping up to be a Bible-themed movie season unlike anything in recent memory.

Lionsgate announced Thursday that principal photography has wrapped on The Resurrection of the Christ, the long-awaited follow-up to The Passion of the Christ (2004), with director Mel Gibson and producer Bruce Davey once again partnering under their Icon Productions banner.

The Resurrection of the Christ is scheduled for two parts, with Part One releasing May 6, 2027 – Ascension Day on the liturgical calendar – and Part Two following on May 25, 2028, which falls on both Ascension Day and Memorial Day weekend. The film stars Jaakko Ohtonen, Mariela Garriga, Pier Luigi Pasino, Kasia Smutniak, Riccardo Scamarcio, and Rupert Everett.

The Resurrection of the Christ, Part One, is expected to arrive just weeks after the theatrical finale of The Chosen Season 6.

Although the projects are being produced by different directors and studios, the timing creates an intriguing historical progression: The Chosen Season 6 is expected to conclude with the crucifixion of Jesus, while The Resurrection of the Christ will pick up with the events that followed – that is, the resurrection.

Filming on Gibson’s movie wrapped ahead of schedule after a 134-day shoot spanning multiple locations across Italy, including Rome, Bari, Ginosa, Craco, Brindisi (Torre Guaceto), and Matera, according to Lionsgate.

“I’m deeply grateful to my incredibly talented cast and crew for pouring their hearts into this production. Together, we created something powerful,” 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. Reuniting with many of my original collaborators from The Passion of the Christ – true masters of their craft – allowed us to bring this story to the screen exactly as I envisioned it.”

Adam Fogelson, chair of Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, described Gibson as a “true visionary with an artist’s eye for scale and a storyteller’s instinct for emotional truth.”

“Every image we’ve seen from set feels like a masterwork painting brought to life,” Fogelson said. “There are very few directors who can operate at this level of epic spectacle while at the same time delivering such depth and conviction. Mel has crafted a film of extraordinary ambition that audiences worldwide have been waiting to experience for over 20 years.”

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Mel Gibson Starts Production on “The Resurrection of the Christ,” 20 Years after ‘The Passion’

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Michael Foust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His stories have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, The Christian Post, the Leaf-Chronicle, the Toronto Star and the Knoxville News-Sentinel. 

Listen to Michael's Podcast! He is the host of Crosswalk Talk, a podcast where he talks with Christian movie stars, musicians, directors, and more. Hear how famous Christian figures keep their faith a priority in Hollywood and discover the best Christian movies, books, television, and other entertainment. You can find Crosswalk Talk on LifeAudio.com, or subscribe on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an interview that will be sure to encourage your faith.