Gibson's two-part Passion sequel begins filming in Rome with new cast

Filming has begun in Rome on Mel Gibson's long-awaited two-part sequel to his 2004 film The Passion of the Christ, and the production has been recast: Finnish actor Jaakko Ohtonen will play Jesus and Cuban actress Mariela Garriga will play Mary Magdalene, with shooting taking place at Cinecittà Studios and planned location work in southern Italy. The first instalment, The Resurrection of the Christ Part One, is scheduled to open on Good Friday, March 26, 2027, with Part Two following 40 days later on Ascension Day, May 6, 2027.

Producers said the decision to replace the original film's leads, including Jim Caviezel and Monica Bellucci, was driven largely by practical considerations tied to the story's chronology and production costs. The sequel begins three days after the crucifixion depicted in the 2004 film, and a production source said using digital deaging effects to make actors appear two decades younger would have been prohibitively expensive. The cast overhaul also includes Kasia Smutniak as Mary, Pier Luigi Pasino as Peter, Riccardo Scamarcio as Pontius Pilate, and Rupert Everett in a smaller but described as important role. Gibson and Randall Wallace co-wrote the...