Full Breakdown
Mel Gibson’s Two-Part “Resurrection of the Christ” Wraps Filming, Shifts Release Dates
5/23/2026, 12:36:00 PM
Production Wrap and Revised Release Schedule
Principal photography for “The Resurrection of the Christ” wrapped after a 134-day shoot in Rome, Bari, Ginosa, Craco, Brindisi and Matera, finishing ahead of schedule. Lionsgate and Icon Productions will release the story in two parts: Part One on May 6, 2027 and Part Two on May 25, 2028, both timed for Ascension Day, replacing the original March 2027 and May 2027 openings.
Background & Context
The sequel follows Gibson’s 2004 blockbuster “The Passion of the Christ,” which dramatized the final twelve hours of Jesus’ life. The original earned $370 million domestically and $610 million worldwide on a $30 million budget, becoming the fifth-highest-grossing film of 2004 and the top-grossing R-rated film in North America until 2024. Its graphic crucifixion scenes sparked controversy and earned Academy Award nominations for cinematography, score and makeup.
Key Figures & Cast
Director Mel Gibson co-wrote the script with “Braveheart” screenwriter Randall Wallace and his brother Donal Gibson. The cast includes Finnish actor Jaakko Ohtonen as Jesus, Cuban actress Mariela Garriga as Mary Magdalene, Pier Luigi Pasino as Peter, Kasia Smutniak as Mary, Riccardo Scamarcio as Pontius Pilate and Rupert Everett in an undisclosed role. Lionsgate’s Adam Fogelson chairs the Motion Picture Group, overseeing North American distribution.
Data & Statistics
The shoot lasted 134 days across six Italian locations. The production budget is reported at $250 million, compared with the original’s $30 million budget and $610 million worldwide gross. Part One opens May 6, 2027; Part Two follows May 25, 2028, both on Ascension Day after the earlier plan for Good Friday.
Official Statements & Responses
Gibson’s press release thanked the cast and crew and called the film a “mission” that has occupied more than two decades of his career. Lionsgate highlighted the project’s ambition and visual scope in its announcement. Adam Fogelson described Gibson as a “true visionary” with an “artist’s eye for scale.” Variety noted that de-aging costs and scheduling conflicts led to recasting Jesus and Mary Magdalene, prompting the shift to Ohtonen and Garriga.
Verbatim Quotes
- “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.” — Mel Gibson, Director
- “I'm deeply grateful to my incredibly talented cast and crew for pouring their hearts into this production. Together, we created something powerful,” — Mel Gibson, Director
- “There's good, there's evil, and they are slugging it out for the souls of mankind,” — Mel Gibson, Guest on *The Joe Rogan Experience*
- “It’s a huge subject, and it’s not a linear narrative,” — Mel Gibson, Interview with Raymond Arroyo (EWTN)
What’s Next
The two films will debut in English rather than the Aramaic-Hebrew mix of the original, and Gibson has indicated extensive CGI will depict journeys through hell, fallen angels and celestial battles. Marketing aligns both releases with Ascension Day, linking the narrative climax with the liturgical celebration of Jesus’ ascension.
