More than two decades after “The Passion of the Christ” became a global phenomenon, director Mel Gibson has officially wrapped filming on its highly anticipated sequel, The Resurrection of the Christ.

Videos circulating online in recent days confirmed that production has concluded in Italy on the massive two-part project, ending years of speculation, script revisions, and behind-the-scenes anticipation surrounding one of the most talked-about faith-based films in Hollywood.

The first installment, “The Resurrection of the Christ: Part One,” is scheduled to hit theaters on March 26, 2027 — Good Friday — with “Part Two” arriving May 6, 2027, on Ascension Day. The release strategy appears carefully designed to align with key moments on the Christian calendar, underscoring the spiritual weight of the story Gibson hopes to tell.

The sequel will focus on the events following the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and will explore the resurrection narrative in a much broader, more ambitious way than the original film. While Jim Caviezel famously portrayed Jesus in the 2004 movie, the sequel introduces an entirely new cast. Finnish actor Jaakko Ohtonen has stepped into the role of Jesus, alongside Mariela Garriga as Mary Magdalene and Rupert Everett in a supporting role.

According to reports, producers chose to recast the film rather than rely heavily on costly CGI de-aging technology since the story takes place only days after the crucifixion.

“It made sense to recast the whole film,” a source close to production previously told Variety. “They would have had to do all this CGI stuff — de-aging and all that — that would have been very costly.”

Filming took place at Rome’s famed Cinecittà Studios, the same legendary studio used for the original movie, as well as at several historic locations across southern Italy, including the ancient city of Matera. The rugged landscapes and historic architecture helped bring the biblical world to life once again.

Gibson, who co-wrote the screenplay with Randall Wallace, has hinted that the sequel will go far beyond a traditional retelling of the resurrection story. In previous interviews, he described the script as “an acid trip,” saying it explores deep theological themes such as Hell, Sheol, fallen angels, and the origin of Satan.

That ambitious direction has sparked both curiosity and debate among Christian audiences eager to see how Gibson approaches one of the Bible’s most powerful events.

The original “The Passion of the Christ” grossed more than $610 million worldwide and remains one of the highest-grossing independent films ever made. For many believers, the movie became more than entertainment — it served as a deeply emotional depiction of Christ’s suffering and sacrifice.

In a 2022 interview, Gibson reflected on the spiritual themes that continue to drive his storytelling.

“I’ve been taught from a young age that we’re flawed, and you’re going to make mistakes,” he said. “We’re broken, and we need help.”

He added that humility begins when people recognize “there is something better than you,” calling that realization “really the key to the whole thing.”

Gibson also encouraged younger generations to remain grounded in their convictions despite growing cultural division.

“Life’s hard,” he admitted. “But we’re all going. We’ve all got a boulder we’re dragging.”

For Christian audiences around the world, the completion of “The Resurrection of the Christ” marks more than just another movie milestone. It signals the return of one of the most influential faith-based film franchises ever created — and a renewed opportunity to reflect on the hope, victory, and redemption found in the resurrection story.