Jim Caviezel Exits ‘Passion of the Christ 2’ Just as Filming Begins on Sequel to Controversial Hit

Christ will return, but with a twist. As Mel Gibson’s The Resurrection of The Christ: Part One, the follow-up to one of the most controversial films in cinema history, prepares to begin shooting, it has been revealed that neither Jim Caviezel (Jesus Christ) nor Monica Bellucci (who portrayed Mary Magdalene) will be returning.

Jim Caviezel, who was announced at the start of the project, will thus not be part of the sequel. According to the American site Page Six, auditions have just been launched to find their replacements.

A source close to the project reportedly told the media that after meeting with the original actors in Rome, the production team realized that there was extensive digital work involved. The insider stated, “They would have had to do a lot of work with the [original] actors on digital aspects, not to mention scheduling. There was a lot of back and forth.”

It appears that the digital rejuvenation of Jim Caviezel and Monica Bellucci was a significant issue. The special effects were deemed too lengthy and costly for a film that has been in the works for many years and has struggled to materialize.

In pre-production for several months, the shooting of the sequel to The Passion of the Christ is set to soon commence in Italy. Directed and produced by Mel Gibson, the film – whose plot remains undisclosed – is co-written by Gibson and Randall Wallace.

Last August, it was announced that the film would be split into two parts, both scheduled for release in 2027. The first part is set to debut in theaters on Good Friday, March 26, 2027, while the second part will release nearly six weeks later, on Ascension Day, May 6, 2027.