Jim Caviezel says new Passion movie will be the “biggest film in history”

Last Updated on July 30, 2021

About a year and a half ago it was reported that director Mel Gibson is working on a sequel to the mega-hit THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST, which focused on the crucifixion of Jesus. There had been no confirmation that star Jim Caviezel would be returning to play Jesus, but now not only did he confirm his return for the sequel, but he made some bold predictions about the movie’s success.

While speaking to USA Today about the upcoming sequel – THE RESURRECTION – Caviezel is extremely confident that the movie will trounce films like STAR WARS, JURASSIC WORLD, THE AVENGERS and even FROZEN to become the biggest movie of all time. After making the comments he immediately put on a pair of sunglasses and left the room.

I won’t tell you how he’s going to go about it. But I’ll tell you this much, the film he’s going to do is going to be the biggest film in history. It’s that good.

Even though most of the world already can guess the plot of the movie, Caviezel, as well as Gibson, have been keeping their mouths shut about the movie’s details so far. Caviezel did assure that Gibson has found the key to telling the story, much like he did with the first film.

Braveheart, that’s a film that took a long time to be able to crack. The same thing for Passion. And the same thing for this. He’s finally got it. So that is coming.

Caviezel’s claim may be bold but not entirely unfounded. Anyone alive in 2004 still remembers the phenomenon that was THE PASSION, as it constantly made the news not only for its absurd levels of violence but how people (mostly religious groups) were being bused in to see the movie in droves. In the end, it made around $612 million worldwide and $370 million stateside (from a $30 million budget), making it the highest-grossing R-rated movie in America – a record it holds today.  

Christian-themed films have also been finding success with modern audiences in recent years, with movies like GOD’S NOT DEAD, HEAVEN IS FOR REAL and SON OF GOD doing very well at the box office. None of them have made even a fraction of PASSION money, but there is a reason to believe that there is a strong market for religious films, and the PASSION is basically their AVATAR. A sequel would no doubt be massive.

I have a mixed relationship with THE PASSION. It’s not a very good movie, with the focus being on such grisly violence and a preachy message. However, Gibson is undoubtedly a great director, and PASSION is a stunning movie to look at and one that’s truly epic in scale. I think a sequel would be huge, but probably not the biggest movie ever. That being said, I have a feeling audiences will be bent on proving Caviezel right. 

Caviezel can be seen in yet another biblical tale in PAUL, APOSTLE OF CHRIST as Luke.