A few days ago, a reader sent me a tip about the ultra-secret shoot of Mel Gibson’s “The Resurrection of the Christ,” which is currently taking place at Rome’s famed Cinecittà Studios.
I eventually reached out to a handful of sources and confirmed that Gibson’s plan, a few months before production was set to begin, was for the film to be at least partially shot using IMAX cameras. This would suggest that a deal has been struck for the film to receive a wide IMAX release in 2027.
The project is being made as two separate films, with each part reportedly budgeted at about $100–$125 million per installment. That means the combined production budget for both parts is around $250 million — making it by far the most expensive film (or films) Gibson has ever directed.
One source tells me there will be a significant amount of VFX used in the film, which Gibson has described as “super ambitious” and “an acid trip,” featuring angelic and demonic battles and Christ’s descent into hell — a semi-accessible thrill ride designed to justify the massive budget.
More curiously, to avoid “alienating” audiences — and unlike the original — the dialogue will reportedly be in English rather than Aramaic or Hebrew.
Furthermore, given the size and scope of the ambitious story being tackled, the shoot, which began in October, is expected to bleed into the following year and only wrap in June 2026, according to a handful of crew members I spoke with over the past several days.
As previously reported, original leads Jim Caviezel and Monica Bellucci will not be returning. In their place, relatively lesser-known talents take the reins: Finnish actor Jaakko Ohtonen plays Jesus, Cuban actress Mariela Garriga is Mary Magdalene, Polish-born Kasia Smutniak portrays Mary, Italy’s Pier Luigi Pasino is Peter, and Riccardo Scamarcio takes on Pontius Pilate. Rupert Everett remains a mysterious addition.
Lionsgate has dated “The Resurrection of the Christ” as a two-part release. Part One is set to open on March 26, 2027 (Good Friday), with Part Two following exactly 40 days later on Thursday, May 6, 2027 (Ascension Day).
If you've read this column for a while, you know the drill: I spitball Cannes every month from now until April, updating the latest intel and trying to figure out what will be in competition, vying for the Palme d'Or.