For nearly two decades, fans of The Passion of the Christ have been waiting, hoping, and praying for a sequel. Mel Gibson promised it. Jim Caviezel confirmed he was in. Then came years of silence, rumors, delays, and rewrites. But now — finally — The Resurrection of the Christ is filming in Rome.
There’s just one problem: Caviezel, the man who poured his faith and literal blood into the original role of Jesus, has been completely cut from the film.
No warning. No farewell. Just… replaced.
The Ressurection of the Christ movie, new Mel Gibson’s sequel to the Passion of the Christ, will be released in 2027
Jim Caviezel will not be returning as Jesus, according to news outlets, unlike previously reported. pic.twitter.com/gB6bSfD4l5
— Trad West (@trad_west_) October 11, 2025
And that’s not all. The entire cast has been scrapped. Monica Bellucci? Gone. Maia Morgenstern? Gone. Every actor audiences connected with in 2004 is out. In their place? A brand-new lineup of international talent, led by a Finnish actor, Jaakko Ohtonen, now set to portray Jesus Christ.
Finnish actor Jaakko Ohtonen has been cast to play Jesus Christ in Mel Gibson’s new movie The Passion of the Christ – the Ressurection.
Filming is officially underway in Italy. pic.twitter.com/oX4r3kDUpo
— Trad West (@trad_west_) October 14, 2025
This change has blindsided fans — and not in a good way.
Some are calling it a betrayal. Others are calling it a blunder. Caviezel’s deeply personal performance is still held up as one of the most powerful portrayals of Christ in film history. He wasn’t just acting — he was living the role. Suffering real injuries, carrying a real cross, and even being struck by lightning during filming.
He took the hits, literally. And now he’s been quietly pushed out.
The reason? Reports say it came down to cost and technology. De-aging Caviezel through CGI to match the timeline — the sequel starts just three days after the crucifixion — would’ve been “very expensive,” according to sources. So rather than preserve continuity or honor what many saw as a once-in-a-generation performance, the studio opted for a fresh face and a clean slate.
But it’s not sitting well.
“Recasting Jesus is blasphemous work,” one fan wrote online. Another called it “deeply disappointing,” saying Caviezel’s personal faith “shined through every frame.” Others pointed to the irony of casting another European actor to play a Middle Eastern man — a conversation Hollywood never seems to quite resolve.
And yet, some are defending the move. A few are cautiously optimistic. After all, the new actor does resemble Caviezel. And with two parts planned — the first coming Good Friday 2027 and the second on Ascension Day — there’s time for the new cast to win people over.
But the truth is, this wasn’t just a casting decision. It was a spiritual and emotional shift.
Caviezel was Jesus to millions. His performance didn’t just tell a story — it converted people. Deepened faith. Sparked debates. Offended some, yes — but also moved many more. It was art that pushed boundaries and didn’t apologize for doing so. And it came from a place of conviction that Hollywood rarely sees anymore.
So now the question hangs in the air: can a sequel — even one led by Mel Gibson — recapture that same impact without the man who made it what it was?
TUNE IN: Mel Gibson discusses Passion of the Christ 2 on Rogan!
‘It’s the resurrection story. It’s non-linear. It took my brother and I, and Randall Wallace, 6-7 years to finish the script. We worked with historians on it. All the apostles died, but nobody dies for a lie, they… pic.twitter.com/SWPTCk2Bbg
— Resist the Mainstream (@ResisttheMS) January 10, 2025
Fans are watching closely. The buzz is loud. The stakes are higher than ever. And whether this film soars or falls may depend on more than just casting decisions or special effects.
It might come down to this: can lightning really strike twice without the man who got hit the first time?
