Mel Gibson’s ‘The Resurrection of the Christ’ Delayed as Lionsgate Expands Sequel Into Massive Two-Part Event

Mel Gibson and Lionsgate are officially going bigger with The Resurrection of the Christ.

The studio has announced major release date changes for the highly anticipated sequel to The Passion of the Christ, transforming the project into a sprawling two-part theatrical event stretching into 2028.

According to the new rollout plan, The Resurrection of the Christ: Part One will now open on May 6, 2027, while Part Two has been pushed to May 25, 2028. Both dates align with Ascension Day observances, with the second installment also landing during Memorial Day weekend.

The films were previously scheduled much closer together, with Part One originally set for March 26, 2027 (Good Friday) and Part Two arriving only 40 days later on Ascension Day 2027. Lionsgate reportedly felt the original release window was too compressed given the scale of the productions.

The move also clears the March 2027 slot for the studio's upcoming Johnny Depp film Day Drinker.

Alongside the scheduling shakeup, Lionsgate confirmed that principal photography has officially wrapped after an extensive 134-day production across Italy, including filming in Rome, Bari, Ginosa, Craco, Brindisi, and Matera.

The sequel stars Jaakko Ohtonen as Jesus Christ, replacing Jim Caviezel, alongside Mariela Garriga, Pier Luigi Pasino, Kasia Smutniak, Riccardo Scamarcio, and Rupert Everett.

The newly released first-look image gives audiences their first glimpse of Ohtonen in the role, signaling a visually striking continuation of Gibson's biblical saga.

Adam Fogelson, chair of Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, praised Gibson's vision in a statement accompanying the announcement.

"Every image we've seen from set feels like a masterwork painting brought to life."

Fogelson also described the project as "a film of extraordinary ambition" that audiences worldwide have waited more than 20 years to experience.

Gibson himself called the sequel deeply personal:

"This film represents a major part of my life's work."

He added that the project "demanded everything" of him creatively and described the film as a mission he has carried for over two decades.

The original Passion of the Christ stunned Hollywood in 2004, earning more than $610 million worldwide on a reported $30 million budget and becoming one of the most successful faith-based films ever made.

But Gibson has repeatedly hinted that The Resurrection of the Christ will move far beyond a straightforward resurrection narrative. Earlier comments from the director suggested the sequel explores themes involving Hell, Sheol, fallen angels, and the origin of Satan, with Gibson famously describing the screenplay as "an acid trip."

With filming complete, release dates now locked, and the first official image finally released, anticipation is rapidly building around what could become one of the largest and most ambitious Christian film projects in modern cinema.