©Courtesy of 2004 Twentieth Century Fox

After nearly two decades, Mel Gibson finally saw the light as filming began on a sequel to 2004’s “The Passion of the Christ” last Fall following initial delays. However, there was notably absence for lead actor Jim Caviezel.

In Gibson’s original film, the actor who played the protagonist in “The Passion of the Christ” which portrayed Jesus, a role that reportedly altered the course of his career entirely.

Previously, news came that Gibson and his Icon production company were not making one film but a two-part feature called “The Resurrection of the Christ“, featuring a completely new cast. Jaakko Ohtonen, who previously starred in “The Last Kingdom,” was instead appointed as the new Jesus.

Caviezel is promoting his new action film “Ghost Soldier,” and he has recently discussed Gibson’s replacement on the Arroyo Grandee podcast (via WoR). He stated that Jesus was a supporting character in the new movies, but his interest remained strong.

“Well, honestly, I read the first and the second script. And Jesus really is not… he really didn’t need me. It’s a smaller role. And you put that against this action film [“Ghost Soldier“] that has great substance, like Monte Cristo, and I was the main dude in it.

Did I want to do it [Passion 2]? Of course I did. I was heartbroken. I was supposed to do Jesus in the Resurrection, and you know, that had been talked about for over a decade, two decades. Icon went a different direction.”

The new movies, which are now in English, start three days after the crucifixion, and since Caviezel is now 58, he’s much older at 58 compared to the 33-year-old Jesus.

“Resurrection of the Christ: Part One” is scheduled to be released on May 6th 2027, with “Resurrection of the Christ: Part Two” following on May 25th 2028.