Jim Caviezel says he nearly turned down the role of Jesus in The Passion of the Christ until what he describes as a visit from Jesus changed his mind.
The actor, 58, shared the story on Sean Hannity's "Hang Out with Sean Hannity" podcast. Caviezel said that around 5 a.m., "this presence came over me, and I know it was him." He said he was awake with his eyes closed, and that Jesus told him a Catholic was not required to take the part.
Caviezel said he replied, "Get somebody else." He recalled that Jesus then looked sad and said, "I don't have anybody else."
When Caviezel asked why he had been chosen, he said Jesus told him others would not ask what he would ask. That settled it. He said he decided the role was "part of the plan" and agreed.
Filming was brutal, Caviezel added. He said he suffered hypothermia, injured his shoulder and was struck by lightning on set. "It nearly killed me," he said of the cold.
The comments come days after Caviezel told Raymond Arroyo he had hoped to return as Jesus in Mel Gibson's Resurrection of the Christ films, but said the role is smaller this time.
He is back on screen this week in the action thriller Ghost Soldier, which opens Friday. He also plays King Herod in Zero A.D.: The Birth of Christ, set for Christmas Day.
His account is a personal spiritual experience as he describes it.
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