Mel Gibson to partner with Lionsgate on ‘The Resurrection of the Christ’

The Catholic Herald• May 22, 2025

The Lionsgate film studio has confirmed that it will partner with Mel Gibson for his latest production The Resurrection of the Christ, the follow-up to his landmark 2004 film The Passion of the Christ.

The company announced 15 May that it was teaming up with Gibson and his Icon Productions banner partner Bruce Davey on the production and will distribute the movie worldwide, reports The Hollywood Reporter. The deal marks a significant step in terms of momentum for the production of a film that has been in the works for close to a decade.

Passion of the Christ, which starred Jim Caviezel as Christ and Monica Bellucci as Mary Magdalen, was produced and self-financed by Gibson and his production company for a reported $30 million. The gamble paid off when the film had an opening weekend of $83 million, before taking in $370 million in North American theatres and more than $610 million globally.

It proved one of the biggest independent productions of all time, and marked a breakthrough for religious-themed films.

“For many, many people across the globe, The Resurrection of the Christ is the most anticipated theatrical event in a generation. It is also an awe-inspiring and spectacularly epic theatrical film that is going to leave moviegoers worldwide breathless,” Lionsgate Motion Picture Group chair Adam Fogelson told The Hollywood Reporter.

“Mel is one of the greatest directors of our time, and this project is both deeply personal to him and the perfect showcase for his talents as a filmmaker. My relationship with Mel and Bruce dates back 30 years, and I am thrilled to be partnering with them once again on this landmark event for audiences.”

The deal continues Gibson’s long association with Lionsgate, where he made his two most recent films: the Oscar-nominated war movie Hacksaw Ridge and the thriller Flight Risk, starring Mark Wahlberg, a devout Catholic who openly speaks about the importance of his faith.

“Lionsgate’s brave, innovative spirit and nimble, can-do attitude have inspired me for a long time, and I couldn’t think of a more perfect distributor for The Resurrection of the Christ,” Gibson said.

“I’ve enjoyed working with Adam and the team several times over recent years. I know the clever ingenuity, passion, and ambition the entire team commits to their projects and I’m confident they will bring everything they can to the release of this movie.”

The deal also underlines Lionsgate’s belief in the power of the faith-based space in the movie landscape, notes The Hollywood Reporter, highlighting that the studio has done well in the space already with hits such as hits I Can Only Imagine and Jesus Revolution. The company also handles global distribution for the TV series The Chosen, the popular life-of-Christ series.

Gibson’s new film, which begins filming in 2026, promises to transcend a straightforward retelling of the Resurrection, instead offering a sweeping, supernatural vision of Christ’s victory over death, writes Herald contributor Tom Colsy.

He notes that Gibson has described the sequel as an exploration of “another realm” – beginning with the exile of the demons from heaven’s court, descending into hell, and culminating in the glory of the Resurrection.

With a deep commitment to theological accuracy and spiritual depth, The Resurrection of the Christ promises to be a film that not only tells the story of the Resurrection but invites reflection on its cosmic and historical significance, Colsy says.

He adds that with Caviezel’s return, Gibson’s profound faith, and the lessons learned from the challenges of The Passion, the sequel is shaping up to be not just a cinematic event, but an act of devotion.

“If the atmosphere on the previous film set is any indication, audiences can expect something much more than spectacle – something sacred,” Colsy says.

While Lionsgate can very likely expect an excellent return on their investment.

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Photo: US actor and filmmaker Mel Gibson attends a special screening of “Monster Summer” at the DGA Theater Complex in Los Angeles on September 24, 2024. (Photo by VALERIE MACON / AFP)