Mel Gibson doesn't let go easily. Not when it comes to grudges. Not when it comes to vision. And certainly not when it comes to Jesus Christ.
Twenty years after The Passion of the Christ stunned the box office with its raw, unfiltered portrayal of Christ's final hours — earning $612 million globally on a shoestring $30 million budget — Gibson is finally pulling the trigger on its long-gestating sequel. Except this time, he's doubling down. The Resurrection of the Christ will arrive not as a single film, but as a two-part biblical epic.
Part One is set to open on March 26, 2027 (Good Friday).
Part Two follows on May 6, 2027 (Ascension Day), exactly 40 days later.
Lionsgate confirmed the release plan this week, giving shape to what has been one of the more bizarre and elusive projects in modern studio history. Gibson has spent nearly two decades circling this sequel, reportedly drafting at least six versions of the script with longtime collaborator Randall Wallace (Braveheart) and his own brother, Donal. Production is finally slated to begin next month in Rome.
The Passion, Revisited—on Psychedelics?
While The Passion was brutal and grounded in its depiction of Christ's crucifixion, Resurrection sounds like it's taking a very different path. Gibson has described the story as an “acid trip,” hinting at a metaphysical journey through “other realms” during the three days between Jesus' death and resurrection. It's not subtle. It's not safe. But it might be the most personal film of Gibson's career.
If the first film felt like a spiritual horror movie—blood, anguish, and religious trauma served with relentless conviction—then the sequel seems designed to transcend literalism altogether. Think Apocalypto meets the Book of Revelation. Or maybe Tree of Life, if it were written by a war general.
The fact that Gibson is timing the releases to Good Friday and Ascension Day is more than clever scheduling. It's marketing tethered to liturgical symbolism. And say what you want about Gibson's polarizing persona, but the man understands mythmaking. Always has.
Resurrection as Redemption?
There's something almost biblical about the way this film keeps resurrecting itself in the trades. Initially announced years ago, Resurrection was supposed to begin production in 2023. Then it was 2024. Now it's 2025. But somehow, despite the detours, the thing lives.
And yet—Gibson isn't the same filmmaker he was in 2004. His recent outing, Flight Risk, was panned by critics and mostly ignored by audiences. His cultural cachet has dimmed. His controversies haven't disappeared. So this film becomes something else: a possible redemption arc, at least for him.
Will it work? No clue. But it won't be boring.
Whether Resurrection lands as visionary or misguided may depend entirely on how far Gibson leans into that hallucinogenic ambition. With Wallace onboard and the director reportedly pulling inspiration from Dante and medieval mysticism, there's every chance this ends up being one of the most visually and spiritually ambitious studio projects of the decade—or a chaotic, overreaching mess.
Either way, March 2027 can't come soon enough.
5 Key Facts About Mel Gibson's ‘Resurrection of the Christ'
Two-Part Release Strategy
Lionsgate will release Resurrection in two parts: March 26, 2027 (Good Friday) and May 6, 2027 (Ascension Day), timed for maximum theological resonance.
Production Begins in Rome
Filming is finally set to commence in Rome next month after multiple delays dating back to 2023.
Gibson's Most Ambitious Script Yet
At least six drafts have been written since 2016, with input from Randall Wallace and Donal Gibson. The film explores metaphysical “realms” between death and resurrection.
Follow-Up to a Massive Box Office Hit
The Passion of the Christ grossed $612 million on a $30 million budget, becoming the highest-grossing R-rated film for a time.
A Personal Gamble for a Polarizing Director
After the critically panned Flight Risk, this two-part biblical epic could be Gibson's most personal—and riskiest—film to date.
What do you think—can Resurrection rekindle the fire of The Passion, or is this one crucifixion too many? Drop your thoughts below and follow Filmofilia for ongoing updates.
References:
- Lionsgate official release calendar
- The Hollywood Reporter
- Deadline
