Mel Gibson’s “Resurrection of the Christ” Set for 2027 Release in Two Parts

More than two decades after The Passion of the Christ moved millions across the globe, director Mel Gibson is set to release its long-awaited sequel, The Resurrection of the Christ. According to an August 5 announcement by Lionsgate, the film will be released in two parts, beginning on Good Friday, March 26, 2027, with Part 2 scheduled for release on May 6, the Feast of the Ascension.

As reported by Catholic News Agency (CNA), Lionsgate has partnered with Gibson’s Icon Productions to bring the project to life. Lionsgate’s motion picture chairman, Adam Fogelson, described the film as “an awe-inspiring and spectacularly epic theatrical film that is going to leave moviegoers worldwide breathless.”

Mel Gibson, in turn, expressed his confidence in the studio, praising Lionsgate’s “brave, innovative spirit,” and saying he’s “confident they will bring everything they can to the release of this movie.”

The film will once again feature Jim Caviezel in the role of Jesus, as in The Passion of the Christ. Though plot details remain under wraps, Gibson previously told podcast host Joe Rogan that the sequel is “very ambitious,” tracing the story from the fall of the angels to the death of the last apostle. He also revealed that CGI de-aging techniques would be used on Caviezel to maintain continuity, given the more than 20 years since the original film’s release.

Released in 2004, The Passion of the Christ vividly portrayed the final hours of Jesus’ earthly life, from the Garden of Gethsemane to His death on the cross. While its graphic realism drew criticism from some quarters, others praised the film for its historical and spiritual depth, including St. John Paul II, who was quoted at the time by the Vatican’s press office as saying the film was “the cinematographic recounting of the historical fact of the passion of Jesus Christ according to the Gospel accounts.”

CNA reported that despite controversies over its depiction of violence, the film grossed over $370 million in the U.S. alone, becoming a landmark success for faith-based films in Hollywood.

In Asia, The Passion of the Christ was widely received with reverence and devotion. In countries like the Philippines, India, South Korea, and parts of Southeast Asia, the film was shown in parishes, schools, and even seminaries during Holy Week. Viewers described it as a deeply spiritual experience, prompting communal reflection on Christ’s suffering and love. It also played a role in catechesis, sparking renewed interest in the Paschal Mystery among the faithful.

Now, as the Church and global audiences await its sequel, The Resurrection of the Christ is expected to inspire a similar wave of discussion, devotion, and theological reflection.