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Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ sequel reveals first look – as new release dates are confirmed
The release dates for both films have been pushed back.
Elise Lockwood/Lionsgate
- Phoebe Kowhai Barnes
Published: Friday, 22 May 2026 at 2:01 pm
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The sequel for Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ has dropped a first-look image along with new release date information.
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The new project consists of two films, entitled The Resurrection of the Christ: Part One and Part Two, and they have both had their release dates changed.
Originally Part One was scheduled for release on 26 March 2027 (Good Friday) with Part Two to follow 40 days later on 6 May 2027 (Ascension Day).
Now, Part One will be released on the latter's intended date of 6 May 2027 instead, with Part Two to follow a year later on 25 May 2028 (Ascension Day).
According to Deadline, the release dates were changed after the studio felt they were too close together. Instead, new Johnny Depp film Day Drinker will take the 26 March 2027 release date.
Gibson will direct the two films from production house Lionsgate. The American actor and filmmaker previously directed 2004's The Passion of the Christ, which portrayed the last 12 hours of Christ’s life and starred Jim Caviezel as Jesus.
Mel Gibson. Amanda Edwards/Getty Images
The 2004 film had an opening weekend of $83 million, going on to gross $370 million in North American cinemas and over $610 million globally off a $30 million production budget, and until recently was the highest grossing R-rated film in the US of all time.
"Mel is a true visionary with an artist’s eye for scale and a storyteller’s instinct for emotional truth," said Adam Fogelson, chair of Lionsgate Motion Picture Group.
"Every image we’ve seen from set feels like a masterwork painting brought to life. There are very few directors who can operate at this level of epic spectacle while at the same time delivering such depth and conviction. Mel has crafted a film of extraordinary ambition that audiences worldwide have been waiting to experience for over 20 years."
The follow-up films will star Finnish actor Jaakko Ohtonen as Jesus alongside Mariela Garriga, Pier Luigi Pasino, Kasia Smutniak, Riccardo Scamarcio and Rupert Everett.
Filming for Part One has concluded after shooting for 134 days in Italy across Rome, Bari, Ginosa, Craco, Brindisi and Matera. You can see a first-look image of Ohtonen in character at the top of this page.
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Speaking of the new film, Gibson said: "I’m deeply grateful to my incredibly talented cast and crew for pouring their hearts into this production. Together, we created something powerful.
"This film represents a major part of my life’s work, and it has demanded everything of me as a filmmaker and as an artist. This is far more than a film to me. It’s a mission I’ve carried for over 20 years to tell what I believe is the most important story in human history."
Ohtonen will be taking on the role of Jesus from Jim Caviezel. His notable works include Netflix's The Last Kingdom and Vikings: Valhalla, as well as providing the voice of Big Brother on the Finnish version of the reality show.
The Resurrection of the Christ: Part One will be released on Thursday 6 May 2027. Part Two will follow on Thursday 25 May 2028.
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Authors
Phoebe Kowhai BarnesFreelance Writer
Phoebe Kowhai Barnes is a Freelance Writer who covers pop culture and entertainment programmes for the Radio Times. She previously worked as the Senior Assistant Editor at The Tab where she managed its local department. She obtained a BA (Hons) in English Literature from University of Nottingham.
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