Mel Gibson has shared a first look at “The Resurrection of the Christ,” filmed across multiple Italian cities as the two-part epic wrapped ahead of schedule. But the director has also pushed “Part One” to May 6, 2027 and “Part Two” to May 25, 2028—both landing
A first look at Mel Gibson’s long-awaited two-part biblical epic arrived with a twist: while filming has wrapped, the release dates have slipped again.
Gibson unveiled “The Resurrection of the Christ,” the director’s follow-up to 2004’s “The Passion of the Christ.” Filming is now officially complete. Production concluded ahead of schedule after shooting for 134 days across Italy in Rome, Bari, Ginosa, Craco, Brindisi and Matera.
Then came the adjustment that fans likely didn’t want to hear: Gibson announced both parts have been delayed. “Part One” will now debut on May 6, 2027 instead of March 26. “Part Two” was moved from May 6, 2027 to May 25, 2028. Both films are slated to land on Ascension Day, a Christian holiday that celebrates the ascension of Jesus into heaven.
Gibson framed the work as something he’s been carrying for more than just a film cycle. He said he has brought the story to the screen “exactly as [he] envisioned it.” In remarks included with the announcement. he added: “I’m deeply grateful to my incredibly talented cast and crew for pouring their hearts into this production. Together. we created something powerful.” He continued that the film represents “a major part” of his life’s work. demanding “everything” of him as both a filmmaker and an artist. calling it “far more than a film” and “a mission I’ve carried for over 20 years to tell what I believe is the most important story in human history.”.
For many viewers, “The Resurrection of the Christ” is both a continuation and a fresh start. The film is positioned as the follow-up to “The Passion of the Christ. ” which followed Jim Caviezel as Jesus of Nazareth and Monica Bellucci as Mary Magdalene in the final 12 hours before the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
Gibson has described the sequel’s creative approach in his own terms. calling the sequels an “acid trip” and saying he “never read anything like” the scripts. He has been writing those scripts alongside Randall Wallace. The story, as the title suggests, is expected to focus on Jesus Christ’s resurrection.
The cast has also shifted for the sequel, even as familiar names remain in the gravity of the project. Jaakko Ohtonen and Mariela Garriga will take over as Jesus and Mary Magdalene, starring alongside Pier Luigi Pasino, Kasia Smutniak, Riccardo Scamarcio and Rupert Everett.
The stakes for a release date are bigger than scheduling when you look at what happened with the first film. “The Passion of the Christ” had long been the highest-grossing R-rated film of all time at the domestic box office with $370 million. before that record was supplanted by Disney’s 2024 blockbuster “Deadpool & Wolverine. ” which posted $636 million domestically. Still. “The Passion of the Christ” remains one of the biggest independent films ever. earning $610 million globally against a $30 million production budget.
A clear through-line emerges: the movie Gibson has been describing for two decades is ready to go. production is already complete after 134 days. and yet the audience calendar keeps moving. The sequence is simple—wrap. then delay—leaving viewers to wonder what this timing shift means for a project already built on patience.
On distribution. Lionsgate is set to release “The Resurrection of the Christ” in North America and the United Kingdom. and in Latin America through IDC. the studio’s joint venture in that region. International partners have been lined up as well, including Leonine (Germany), Metropolitan Film (France), Diamond (Spain), Dutch Filmworks (Benelux), Mis. Label (Scandinavia). Sun Africa (South Africa). Monolith (Poland). Vertical Entertainment (Eastern Europe). Blitz Film (Ex-Yugo). Ascot Elite (Switzerland). Pris Audiovisuais (Portugal). and Acme (Baltics). Icon will release the films in Australia and New Zealand.
Lionsgate’s confidence comes through in the comments attached to the announcement. Adam Fogelson. Lionsgate Motion Picture Group chair. said: “Mel is a true visionary with an artist’s eye for scale and a storyteller’s instinct for emotional truth.” He added: “Every image we’ve seen from set feels like a masterwork painting brought to life. ” and said there are “very few directors” who can combine epic spectacle with “depth and conviction.” Fogelson called Gibson’s film “extraordinary ambition. ” adding that audiences worldwide have been waiting for it for over 20 years.
Gibson’s path back to studio filmmaking has not been smooth. His career was derailed by several off-screen controversies. and he returned to studio filmmaking for the first time in eight years with last year’s “Flight Risk.” That plane-set thriller starred Mark Wahlberg. and it failed to ignite at the box office with just $48 million globally. Before “Flight Risk,” Gibson directed 2016’s “Hacksaw Ridge,” “Braveheart” and “Apocalypto.”.
Now the question for viewers is less about whether the sequel is being made—filming has wrapped, production is done—and more about how long the wait will stretch before the first part arrives on May 6, 2027, and the second follows on May 25, 2028, both timed for Ascension Day.
Mel Gibson The Resurrection of the Christ Ascension Day The Passion of the Christ Lionsgate release date delay 134 days filming Italy locations Jaakko Ohtonen Mariela Garriga