Mel Gibson’s ‘Resurrection of the Christ’ Completes Principal Photography
Mel Gibson’s eagerly anticipated sequel to ‘The Passion of the Christ’ has successfully wrapped principal photography after a seven-month filming period in Italy, with the first images from the set quickly gaining traction online.
The Brazilian account Abrace a Tradição shared photos on X featuring Finnish actor Jaakko Ohtonen in full costume as Jesus Christ, embracing cast and crew members after the final day of filming, with prosthetic nail wounds still visible on his hands in one of the widely circulated images.
As filmagens de A Ressurreição de Cristo, sequência de A Paixão de Cristo dirigida por Mel Gibson, foram concluídas após 7 meses na Itália.
O ator Jaakko Ohtonen assume o papel de Jesus, substituindo Jim Caviezel.
O filme entra agora na fase de pós-produção e será lançado em… pic.twitter.com/e9yvVP5YUm
— Abrace a Tradição (@abracetradicao) May 2, 2026
Principal photography commenced on October 6, 2025, at Rome’s iconic Cinecittà Studios, the same site where Gibson filmed the original ‘Passion of the Christ’ over two decades ago. Additional scenes were shot in various southern Italian locations, including Matera, Ginosa, Gravina in Puglia, Brindisi, and Craco. The entire 134-day shoot has now concluded, with a behind-the-scenes video celebrating the production wrap also surfacing online.
Ohtonen himself hinted at the completion of production on Instagram, sharing a photo of himself in front of dressing room doors with a nameplate reading “Jesus.” In the caption, he wrote, “It is accomplished.”
Ohtonen’s casting followed the exits of both Jim Caviezel and Monica Bellucci from the project due to the high costs associated with using de-aging CGI effects. This led Gibson to replace the entire original cast instead of relying on digital effects. Ohtonen, a Finnish actor from Oulu, is recognized for his roles in ‘Vikings: Valhalla’ and ‘The Last Kingdom’, and he holds a master’s degree in Theatre Arts from the University of Tampere.
The new ensemble cast includes Cuban actress Mariela Garriga as Mary Magdalene, Polish actress Kasia Smutniak as Mary, the mother of Jesus, Italian actor Pier Luigi Pasino as Peter, Riccardo Scamarcio as Pontius Pilate, and Rupert Everett in an undisclosed role. Cinematographer Caleb Deschanel, who shot the original ‘Passion’, will not return, with Robrecht Heyvaert taking over the cinematography.
Gibson co-wrote the screenplay with Randall Wallace, the writer of ‘Braveheart’, and has expressed that he “never read anything like” the finished script, which is expected to delve into supernatural and cosmic themes surrounding the resurrection and the Harrowing of Hell. Reports indicate that the new films may be partially shot in English, marking a significant shift from the original, which was filmed entirely in Aramaic, Hebrew, and Latin.
Lionsgate has confirmed a two-part theatrical release, with Part One set to premiere on Good Friday, March 26, 2027, and Part Two following exactly 40 days later on Ascension Day, May 6, 2027. With production now complete and post-production in progress, the countdown to one of the most anticipated films in years has officially begun.
Have something to add? Let us know in the comments!