Mel Gibson and Randall Wallace Developing The Passion of the Christ Sequel

Randall Wallace and Mel Gibson Reunite for The Resurrection of the Christ

Collaboration on the Resurrection Story

The journey to bring the story of the Resurrection to the screen began during a promotional tour for the 2016 film Hacksaw Ridge. Randall Wallace, the 76-year-old screenwriter, recalled suggesting the project to Gibson while the two were discussing their personal lives. According to an appearance on Raymond Arroyo’s podcast, Arroyo Grande, Wallace noted that he felt compelled to push for the sequel because of the massive success of the original film. While the original movie left the resurrection as a brief closing epilogue—showing Jesus leaving the tomb and revealing his wounds—Wallace believed a feature-length exploration was necessary.

Mel didn’t approach me. I approached him, actually, Wallace said of how they began working together on the project. “This is not to say that over the years, he hadn’t thought many times about the Resurrection. In fact, in the original The Passion of the Christ, the original cut didn’t have the resurrection scene. He was getting feedback from people saying, ‘We really want to see that.'”

Wallace explained that Gibson ultimately decided to add the brief Resurrection scene that serves as the closing epilogue of the first film. Having studied the topic, Wallace told Arroyo that he proposed developing a feature-length film depicting the Resurrection while they were on the road for Hacksaw Ridge. Having studied the Resurrection and being so consumed by it, I thought about it many times, Wallace recalled. “I didn’t have anything to do with The Passion of the Christ. When we were promoting Hacksaw Ridge, we were sitting there talking about our lives, and I said, ‘Look, you know, the story that you really need to tell is the Resurrection.'”

Mel Gibson Warns Randall Wallace About Spiritual Warfare

Mel Gibson’s Warning Regarding Spiritual Warfare

In his appearance on the Arroyo Grande podcast, Wallace shared a candid moment from the early stages of the project. When Wallace initially proposed the idea, he recalled that Gibson paused before offering a somber perspective on the nature of the undertaking. Gibson expressed the belief that such a project could invite spiritual warfare.

Gibson emphasized that the project could not be motivated by financial gain or personal grievances. There was this long pause, and he said something profoundly beautiful. He said, 'If we do this, it can’t be for the money, and it can’t be to get back at people that have hated us or wronged us or been unhappy with us,' Wallace recounted. And I said, 'Amen to that.'

The director then offered a direct warning to his longtime collaborator. Then he said, 'You know, Satan’s going to come after you,' Wallace continued. Wallace responded with a joke about his own religious background. I said, 'Well, you know, Satan doesn’t really care about Baptists.' It’s really good when Satan can get a Catholic. We’re a dime a dozen, he said as Arroyo laughed. Despite the humor, Wallace admitted that the conversation left him contemplating the weight of the project, noting, What if he’s right?

The Resurrection of the Christ: Part One Features Actor Jaakko Ohtonen

The conversation ultimately shifted toward a discussion on grace, which Wallace characterized as the foundation for their partnership on the script. That conversation marked the official beginning of their collaboration on The Resurrection of the Christ.

Production and Casting

The project features Jaakko Ohtonen starring in the role of Jesus. The film, titled The Resurrection of the Christ: Part One, is associated with Lionsgate.

Sources: Pagesix, uk-times.com.