PASSION OF THE CHRIST PART 2

More than two decades after The Passion of the Christ became a global box office phenomenon, Mel Gibson has officially wrapped principal photography on its long-awaited sequel, The Resurrection of the Christ: Part One, with the first behind-the-scenes images from the production already generating major attention online. https://www.hungarianconservative.com/articles/culture_society/mel-gibson-resurrection-of-the-christ-jesus-jaakko-ohtonen/ The viral images, first circulated on X by Art Hits Hard, show Finnish actor Jaakko Ohtonen embracing members of the crew after the final day of shooting in Italy. In one widely shared photo, visible nail wounds from the film’s makeup effects can be seen on the actor’s hands, referencing the crucifixion imagery associated with the original film. Production officially concluded on 30 April following a seven-month shoot that began on 6 October 2025 at Rome’s Cinecittà Studios, where Gibson also filmed the 2004 original. Additional scenes were shot across southern Italy, including in Matera, Ginosa, Brindisi, and Craco. Mel Gibson finishes principal photography for his upcoming film, The Resurrection of the Christ, in Italy, and here's the first look at actor Jaakko Ohtonen as Jesus Christ hugging the crew. In the image, you can even see the nail holes on Othonen's hand. Shot in two parts back… pic.twitter.com/R6kbOL0QGw — Art Hits Hard (@nightwriter22) May 1, 2026 One of the most striking aspects of the sequel is Gibson’s decision to replace the entire principal cast of the original film rather than rely heavily on de-aging CGI. Ohtonen, best known for portraying Wolland in Netflix’s The Last Kingdom, takes over the role of Jesus from Jim Caviezel. Cuban actress Mariela Garriga replaces Monica Bellucci as Mary Magdalene, while Polish actress Kasia Smutniak portrays Mary, the mother of Jesus. Italian actor Riccardo Scamarcio plays Pontius Pilate, and Rupert Everett joins the production as Abraham. Gibson co-wrote the screenplay with Randall Wallace, the writer of Braveheart, and has previously described the project as a metaphysical ‘acid trip’ unlike anything he had ever read before. Reports suggest the story will focus not only on Christ’s resurrection, but also on supernatural and cosmic themes surrounding the aftermath of the crucifixion.