Final sceens shot as Mel Gibson wraps filming his new epic movie ‘The Resurrection of the Christ’

Filming has wrapped on The Resurrection of the Christ, the long-awaited sequel to The Passion of the Christ, marking a major milestone for director Mel Gibson’s follow-up to one of the most commercially successful faith-based films of all time.

Videos circulating on social media in recent days confirm that production has concluded in Italy on the two-part project, which has spent years in development amid script revisions, casting changes and ongoing speculation. Filming has officially wrapped on The Resurrection of the Christ, meaning Mel Gibson’s long-awaited follow-up to The Passion of the Christ is finally real and no longer just a decades-long rumor.

Gibson shot some very evocative scenes in Puglia and an Instagram video was released on the last day of filming in the Torre Guaceto Reserve, specifically in the area of ​​the tower and especially on Penna Grossa beach.A fishing village was reconstructed on the beach for the story of the ‘miraculous catch of fish,’ as narrated in the Gospels of Luke and John.The Instagram video was made after the final take was completed by Gibson, who was saluted with an enthusiastic round of applause from the cast and production team.

The project is being split into two films: The Resurrection of the Christ: Part One arrives March 26, 2027 — Good Friday — with Part Two following on May 6, 2027, which lands on Ascension Day.

Unlike the original 2004 film, this version features an entirely new cast. Finnish actor Jaakko Ohtonen will play Jesus, replacing Jim Caviezel, who portrayed Christ in the original. The cast also includes Mariela Garriga as Mary Magdalene, Pier Luigi Pasino as Peter, Kasia Smutniak as Mary, Riccardo Scamarcio as Pontius Pilate and Rupert Everett in a supporting role. The recasting wasn’t just creative preference. Since the sequel picks up only days after the crucifixion, producers reportedly decided against using expensive de-aging CGI technology on the original cast.

Filming took place at Rome’s Cinecittà Studios, the same studio used for The Passion of the Christ, along with locations throughout southern Italy, including Matera.

Gibson co-wrote the screenplay with Randall Wallace, the writer behind Braveheart, and he’s hinted for years that this sequel won’t look anything like a traditional biblical drama. In past interviews, Gibson described the script as “an acid trip,” saying the story explores theological territory involving Hell, Sheol, fallen angels and the origin of Satan.

The original The Passion of the Christ grossed more than $610 million worldwide and became one of the highest-grossing independent films ever made, while also permanently altering the modern Christian movie industry.