A sequel to one of the greatest Christian films ever made is forthcoming.
According to the Daily Wire, director Mel Gibson intends to start shooting “The Passion of the Christ” sequel this spring.
Ending with his Resurrection, “Passion” depicts the trial and crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
The Christian Broadcasting Network reports that Gibson has created six rough drafts of “The Passion of the Christ: Resurrection.”
For ten years, the sequel has been in development.
Film critic Jordan Ruimy said that the movie will show Jesus’ crucifixion as well as the three days that followed His resurrection.
As CBN reported that Gibson had stated in a 2016 interview with preacher Greg Laurie that a sequel was in the works. “It’s called The Resurrection. Of course, that’s a very big subject and it needs to be looked at because we don’t want to just do a simple rendering of it — you know, read what happened.”
The Christian interpretation of Christ’s “Harrowing of Hell,” in which Jesus redeemed the justly deceased from Hell following His earthly death, may be depicted in Gibson’s sequel.
Writer Randall Wallace is working on the film with Gibson.
“The evangelical community considers The Passion the biggest movie ever out of Hollywood, and they kept telling us that they think a sequel will be even bigger,” the writer told The Hollywood Reporter, pointing to the reception of the first film as the impetus for the sequel.
One of many historical films produced and directed by Gibson (who also played the title role), “Braveheart,” Wallace and Gibson also worked together on the film.
And to reprise their roles in the sequel, much of the cast of the original 2005 movie is slated. In addition to Maia Morgenstern playing Mary and Francesco De Vito as Simon Peter, Jim Caviezel will reprise his role as Jesus.
Wallace said of the sequel, “I always wanted to tell this story.”
Reports said that the original movie, which depicted Christ’s crucifixion in gory detail, became the highest-grossing R-rated movie ever in North America.
Wallace said, “‘The Passion’ is the beginning, and there’s a lot more story to tell.”
Sources: FlagAndCross, The Hollywood Reporter, Christian Broadcasting Network, Daily Wire, Worldofreel, Christianity, WesternJournal, CBN