Mel Gibson’s Passion of the Christ: Resurrection Looking at Early 2025 Filming

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As a seasoned movie critic with a penchant for faith-based films and a soft spot for Mel Gibson’s directorial prowess, I must say I am thrilled about the upcoming sequel to “The Passion of the Christ”. Having witnessed Gibson’s remarkable journey from action hero in “Lethal Weapon” to visionary filmmaker, I can confidently predict that “Resurrection” will be a cinematic event not to be missed.

It seems that after a long period of preparation, it appears that acclaimed filmmaker Mel Gibson is getting ready to commence production on “The Passion of the Christ: Resurrection“, the sequel to his highly successful 2004 film depicting the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Actor Jim Caviezel, known for his role in “Person of Interest”, has confirmed that he will once again play the part of Jesus in the movie, and filming could potentially start as early as next year.

According to reports from news agency Italpress, Mel Gibson is currently in Malta exploring potential filming locations for the sequel. This visit is part of a five-day trip where he will discuss filming arrangements with local government officials. It’s anticipated that shooting will commence in early 2025, following the completion of Gibson’s press tour for his upcoming action thriller Flight Risk, which is set to premiere in January.

For years now, I’ve been part of a long-term process of refining the script for this film, alongside Gibson and co-writer Randall Wallace, who have reportedly penned at least six drafts. Wallace, known for his Oscar-nominated work on Braveheart, confirmed in April that the screenplay for Resurrection was finally complete.

The tale I’m spinning isn’t just a straightforward sequence of events. Instead, you need to compare the main incident with what happened before, after, and even beyond our known realities. It’s starting to feel like something out of science fiction, and let me tell you, it’s a grand story. Comprehending its complexity has taken significant effort, and I’ve had to work hard to find an approach that does justice to the narrative.

According to Mel Gibson himself, who labeled Resurrection an “acid trip,” this supports speculation circulating online that the sequel will delve deeper into supernatural themes. The initial movie skillfully combined otherworldly visuals with a more earthbound portrayal of the gruesome crucifixion, heavily influenced by Catholic symbolism and customs. In fact, ScreenRant hypothesizes that the upcoming film may possibly touch upon the “Harrowing of Hell,” a Catholic belief about Christ’s three-day sojourn in Hell where he redeemed humanity’s souls.

The Record-Setting Response to The Passion of the Christ

When it debuted in cinemas on Ash Wednesday in 2004, The Passion of the Christ, a movie written and directed by Mel Gibson, initially faced relatively low anticipation. With no significant film distributor, Jim Caviezel not being a widely recognized figure, and most dialogue being in Aramaic and Hebrew with subtitles, many didn’t expect much. However, against all odds, it turned out to be the third highest-grossing domestic film that year, earning $370 million domestically and over $611 million globally. For 20 years, it held the title of the highest-grossing R-rated film ever made, until this year when Deadpool & Wolverine surpassed it.

The movie garnered three Academy Award nominations, such as Best Cinematography for Caleb Deschanel and Best Original Score by John Debney’s evocative beats. However, it stirred up debate due to its portrayal of the Jewish authorities who were responsible for sending Christ to his crucifixion. Some also found the amount of violence and gore excessive and implausible, although it accurately reflects historical accounts.

In addition to his previous works like “Flight Risk” and “Resurrection,” Mel Gibson is also set to direct the upcoming “Lethal Weapon 5,” following the demise of original director Richard Donner. Jim Caviezel, on the other hand, has been seen in films such as “Deja Vu” (alongside Denzel Washington), “The Prisoner” (opposite Ian McKellen), and “Escape Plan” (with Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger). After wrapping up his stint on the successful CBS series “Person of Interest,” he recently appeared in last year’s thought-provoking and contentious film, “Sound of Freedom.

The Passion of the Christ
is currently streaming on Up Faith and Family and Fox Nation.

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2024-09-15 00:03