Contrary to what Mel Gibson might have indicated to Joe Rogan last month, ‘The Resurrection of the Christ’ might be starting production very soon.
Manuela Cacciamani, CEO of Rome’s historic Cinecittà Studios has confirmed that Gibson plans to begin production on ‘Resurrection’ in August (via Deadline).
Cacciamani confirmed the date during an interview with Italian newspaper Il Sole 24 Ore.
“I can confirm that the next film directed by Mel Gibson, produced by Icon Productions, The Resurrection of Christ, will be shot entirely in Cinecittà starting in August and requires many theaters and stage constructions,” she said.
Gibson has continuously delayed shooting ‘Resurrection.’ The film was originally supposed to shoot in 2023, then 2024, and last we heard, 2025. I guess the third time’s the charm. The sequel to Gibson’s 2004 mega-blockbuster has been ruminating in development for almost two decades.
One key factor that kept delaying ‘Resurrection’ was the question of which version of the screenplay would be used for the film. Since 2016, Gibson has been hard at work on the script with his brother, Donal, and “Braveheart” screenwriter Randall Wallace. There have been at least six drafts of the screenplay. Gibson recently confirmed that the final draft had been written.
The official title is indeed “The Resurrection of Christ.” The story would focus on the twenty-four hours encompassing Jesus’ passion and the events that occurred three days between his crucifixion and resurrection. Gibson has described ‘Resurrection’ as an “acid trip” with Jesus going into “other realms.”
’Passion of the Christ,’ released in 2004, grossed $612M on a scant $30 million budget making it one the most successful independently-financed movies of all time.
Signs might be pointing towards the film nabbing an Easter holiday release on Friday, April 3rd, 2026. Let’s see if it’ll be able to hit that date.
Although “Passion of the Christ” divided critics more than twenty years ago, it was an eye-opening account of the last days of Jesus and became a blockbuster success. The film was gripping, and as terrifying as any horror film. Gibson as a director has never shied away from violence: “Braveheart” and, his best film, “Apocalypto,” are two of the most violent movies I’ve ever seen.
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