Twelve years ago Mel Gibson's THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST exploded into the world and for a while, it was all anyone could talk about. Some praised it as one of the most important films of all time while others viewed it merely as torture porn wrapped up in Christianity. Ignoring all that and speaking strictly from a box-office standpoint, THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST is still the highest grossing R-rated film in North America and that can mean only one thing: sequel.
Rumours of a sequel to THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST have been around almost since the release of the film, but now Randall Wallace (BRAVEHEART) has confirmed to THR that a sequel is indeed being planned. The screenwriter spilled the news that Mel Gibson and himself are working on a sequel script dealing with the resurrection of Christ because it's apparently becoming too difficult to keep under wraps.
I always wanted to tell this story. The Passion is the beginning and there's a lot more story to tell.
Wallace says that "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 project is still at a very early stage so no studios or financial backing have been lined up as of yet. Jim Caviezel, who played Jesus Christ in the film, didn't exactly have the most pleasant time the first time around; in addition to injuries and accidentally being whipped for real, Caviezel was actually struck by lightning while filming the Sermon on the Mount.
Mel Gibson's upcoming HACKSHAW RIDGE, the first film he's directed in ten years, tells the true story of World War II Army medic Desmond T. Doss, the first conscientious objector to be awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for single-handedly saving the lives of over 75 of his comrades while under constant enemy fire during the Battle of Okinawa. The film will debut on November 4, 2016.