Filming has wrapped on the long-awaited sequel to box office smash The Passion of the Christ. Due to over two decades having passed, original Jesus star Jim Caviezel has been recast with Finnish actor Jaakko Ohtonen. Mel Gibson has returned to direct The Resurrection of the Christ parts 1 and 2, with his Oscar-winning Braveheart screenwriter Randall Wallace co-writing the “acid trip” screenplay that is expected to feature the Harrowing of Hell. The Harrowing of Hell took place in the three days after the Crucifixion (depicted in The Passion of the Christ) and prior to the Resurrection, when Christ descended to the dead in Hell, conquered the Devil and brought salvation to the souls held captive there, having just died for their sins on the Cross.
In the Bible, 1 Peter 3:18-20 highlights this: “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. After being made alive, he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits – to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built.”
Aside from the resurrection appearances in the gospels, The Resurrection of the Christ is rumoured to delve into the spiritual realms, depicting the fall of Lucifer, the rebellious angel, before the events of Genesis and span all the way to the Apostle John’s writings in Revelation which set out the Second Coming of Christ. It’s not clear yet if part 2 will depict Christ’s return in some form.
In the meantime, Lionsgate has shared the first look image of Jaakko’s Jesus with his disciples in what appears to be a resurrection appearance from the gospels that was shot on location in Italy. Meanwhile, both films have been delayed: part 1 by a few weeks and part 2 by a year, with both now landing on Ascension Day 2027 and 2028 respectively.
The Resurrection of the Christ: Part One is released in cinemas on May 6, 2027 and The Resurrection of the Christ: Part Two will follow on May 25, 2028.