Jim Caviezel has spoken candidly about his disappointment over not returning as Jesus in Mel Gibson's upcoming The Resurrection of the Christ films, while expressing confidence that his original performance will continue drawing audiences to God.
Speaking with Raymond Arroyo, the actor acknowledged that he had hoped to reprise the role he played in the 2004 film The Passion of the Christ. But after reading the scripts for the two-part follow-up, Caviezel said he understood that Jesus' role would be smaller.
"Well, honestly, I read the first and the second script," he said, according to ChurchLeaders. "And Jesus really is not-he really didn't need me. It's a smaller role."
Finnish actor Jaakko Ohtonen will take over the part, stepping into a role closely associated with Caviezel for more than two decades.
"Good luck to the new guy, cuz it'll be really hard," Caviezel said. "As I said earlier, it's a hell of a lot harder to play Jesus than Superman."
Although the casting decision brought disappointment, Caviezel spoke firmly about what he believes the original film accomplished. For him, its lasting value lies in the people who continue discovering faith through its depiction of Christ's suffering.
"People are going to keep coming back and finding God," he said. "And I did my job and I did it well."
The conversation also addressed how returning for Gibson's films would have affected Caviezel's other commitments. When Arroyo suggested that the production would have prevented him from making his latest movies, the actor agreed.
"No, I couldn't have done it. I couldn't have done these films," he said. "But did I want to do it? Of course I did."
Caviezel appeared on Arroyo's November 5 broadcast to discuss Ghost Soldier and Zero A.D.: The Birth of Christ, with releases planned for November and December. His latest projects bring him back before audiences as Gibson prepares the next chapter of the biblical story.
For Caviezel, the opportunity to portray Jesus again has passed. His remarks nevertheless reveal how deeply he still values the role and his hope that The Passion of the Christ will keep reaching viewers long after his own career has ended.
