Mel Gibson’s ‘The Resurrection of the Christ’ Wraps Seven-Month Shoot With New DP Robrecht Heyvaert, $250M Budget

Mel Gibson’s “The Resurrection of the Christ” has wrapped its seven-month production at Rome’s famed Cinecittà Studios.

Furthermore, it can now be reported that Caleb Deschanel, who shot “Passion,” is not returning as cinematographer and has been replaced by Robrecht Heyvaert, whose credits include the last two “Bad Boys” movies and last year’s Cillian Murphy–starring “Steve.”

‘Resurrection’ was shot as two separate films, with each part reportedly budgeted at about $100–$125M per instalment. 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.

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.

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).