It’s been two decades since The Passion of the Christ hit theaters and redefined what Sunday school had been telling us, by giving us a brutal, polarizing, yet wildly successful portrayal of Jesus Christ’s final hours that earned over $612 million worldwide and became the highest-grossing Christian film of all time, and R-rated movie, too.

Now, Mel Gibson is finally bringing his long-awaited sequel, The Resurrection of the Christ, to life. But the project’s biggest headline isn’t its long-awaited arrival — it’s the absence of Jim Caviezel, whose performance as Jesus once left audiences in tears and critics in awe. The new film, which began shooting last week in Rome, has quietly recast nearly every major role. Finnish actor Jaakko Ohtonen (The Last Kingdom) will now play Jesus, with Mariela Garriga (Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning) stepping in as Mary Magdalene, and Kasia Smutniak (Domina) taking over as Mary. Pier Luigi Pasino and Riccardo Scamarcio will portray Peter and Pontius Pilate, respectively, with Rupert Everett appearing in an undisclosed but “small, important role.”

Why Did Jim Caviezel Get Replaced as Jesus?

For longtime fans of the original, the news hit like a thunderbolt: “Recasting Jesus is blasphemous work,” one user wrote on X. Another added, “Disappointing news. I’ve been waiting forever for this movie. It won’t be the same without a truly devout and believing actor playing Jesus. Caviezel’s personal faith was evident in every moment of The Passion.” Others pointed out the optics of casting a Nordic actor in a Middle Eastern role, quipping, “Another white Jesus? I’ll pass.”

Still, some defended Gibson’s choice. “Too bad about Caviezel. But I was concerned that de-aging him may negatively affect the film’s quality. This seems like the right approach,” one fan posted.

The whole hullabaloo stems from what they interpreted as a promise from big Mel to reunite his original cast using digital effects. In earlier interviews, he’d described two scripts in the works — one “very structured and strong” and another “like an acid trip” — teasing that new technology might allow the same actors to return. But if it’s just more financially prudent to recast them? Do it: “Given that the story takes place just three days after the crucifixion, it made sense to recast the whole film,” a source told Variety.

The Resurrection of the Christ will explore the three days following Jesus’ crucifixion, chronicling the Resurrection and its aftermath. According to Gibson, the sequel will be released in two parts — Part One on Good Friday, March 26, 2027, and Part Two on Ascension Day, May 6, 2027.