Mel Gibson's controversial and highly successful 2004 film, "The Passion of the Christ," is set to return to theaters nationwide. The re-release coincides with Gibson's preparations for a two-part sequel, tentatively titled "The Resurrection of the Christ."

Gibson recently spoke with Raymond Arroyo on "The Arroyo Grande Show" to reflect on the original film's legacy. He noted that "The Passion of the Christ," which depicted the final 12 hours of Jesus Christ's life in graphic detail, was intended to be a visceral and realistic portrayal, contrasting with what he felt were previously "sanitized" depictions.

The film, starring Jim Caviezel as Jesus, faced significant pre-release criticism regarding its violence and religious themes, with some groups expressing concerns about potential antisemitism. However, Gibson stated that these fears did not materialize and that the film instead fostered unexpected positive outcomes.

"It didn't do that at all, which I was pleased with," Gibson told Arroyo. "Because people were like pointing at me and yelling at me, and it didn’t spawn any violence."

Instead, Gibson shared anecdotes of individuals whose lives were profoundly impacted by the film. He recalled hearing stories of people converting to Christianity or confessing serious crimes after viewing it, including one instance of a confessed murder. The film's success, grossing over $610 million worldwide, also demonstrated a significant audience for faith-based cinema, paving the way for future productions in the genre.

"Well, because people wanted it," Gibson explained. "I think there was a hunger for it, and they went to see it in droves. And then I think others realized that there was a place where they could share their visions. And then there was zeal amongst faith-based people and filmmakers to explore it further."

"The Passion of the Christ" will be shown in theaters from September 10 through September 17.

Gibson is actively developing the sequel, "The Resurrection of the Christ," which will explore the events following the crucifixion. "The Resurrection of the Christ: Part One" is slated for release on May 6, 2027, with Part Two scheduled for May 25, 2028. Gibson views the resurrection as a pivotal and even more astounding event than the crucifixion, emphasizing the power of a return to life from public death.