The screenwriter behind the upcoming sequel to Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ" has revealed a spiritual warning the director issued before they began writing the film. Randall Wallace, who previously collaborated with Gibson on "Braveheart" and "Hacksaw Ridge," told Raymond Arroyo on his podcast "Arroyo Grande" that Gibson believed the project could invite spiritual conflict.
Wallace recalled urging Gibson to focus on the Resurrection story, a suggestion that came during a promotional tour for "Hacksaw Ridge" in 2016. Gibson, Wallace said, paused for a long time before responding, "If we do this, it can’t be for the money, and it can’t be to get back at people that have hated us or wronged us or been unhappy with us." Wallace agreed, to which Gibson added, "You know, Satan’s going to come after you."
Wallace and Gibson, along with Gibson's brother Donal, spent approximately six to eight years writing and refining the screenplay for "The Resurrection of the Christ," which will be released in two parts. The first installment, "The Resurrection of the Christ: Part One," is scheduled to premiere on May 6, 2027, coinciding with Ascension Day. The second part, "The Resurrection of the Christ: Part Two," is slated for release on May 25, 2028, over Memorial Day weekend.
Gibson stated in a press release that the film was brought to the screen "exactly as I envisioned it." He expressed gratitude to the cast and crew for their contributions, describing the film as "a mission I’ve carried for over 20 years to tell what I believe is the most important story in human history."
"The Passion of the Christ," released in 2004, depicted the final 12 hours of Jesus' life and was noted for its graphic violence. The film was a commercial success, grossing over $610 million worldwide against a $30 million budget, and received Academy Award nominations for makeup, score, and cinematography.
Wallace teased that the sequel will offer a unique vision of the spiritual realm, with elements that audiences may not have seen before. He described it as potentially the "most orthodox telling" and consistent with the awe and mystery Christians experience regarding the Resurrection.