Mel Gibson was spotted location scouting in Europe this week for the sequel to his 2004 biblical epic The Passion of the Christ.
According to Puglia Film Commission director Antonio Parente, Gibson toured Malta with a production team before heading to the Southern Italian region of Puglia, where he noted the ancient towns of Ginosa, Gravina Laterza, and Altamura.
Antonio Parente reported that Gibson toured Malta first before exploring various sites in southern Italy. However, Gibson’s publicist, Alan Nierob, said:”All we can confirm is they were scouting locations recently…not a lot to discuss at this early stage.”
According to reports, Gibson has been working on the script for Passion of the Christ: Resurrection with Braveheart screenwriter Randall Wallace for years. Instead of rushing through the creative process, Gibson prefers to take his time, knowing that the continuation of the story that started in The Passion of the Christ needs care and attention. In an interview with ORMI Media, Gibson said the screenplay is complete, and Jim Caviezel is returning to reprise his role as Jesus Christ for the sequel.
Gibson’s period drama The Passion of the Christ depicts the final twelve hours of Jesus of Nazareth’s life on the day of his crucifixion in Jerusalem.
With nearly $612 million worldwide banked at the box office, The Passion of the Christ held the record for the highest-grossing R-rated movie for over 20 years at $370 million.
In 2023, Gibson revealed that they had written two scripts for Resurrection, explaining that “one of them is very structured and a very strong script, and kind of more what you’d expect, and the other is like an acid trip. Because you’re going into other realms and stuff. I mean, you’re in hell, and you’re watching the angels fall. It’s like, crazy.”
Jim Caviezel will reprise his role as Jesus.
If the sequel proceeds, it will mark Gibson’s seventh directorial effort, following his upcoming film Flight Risk, set for release on 24 January 2025.
With nearly $612 million worldwide banked at the box office, The Passion of the Christ held the record for the highest-grossing R-rated movie for over 20 years at $370 million.
(Agencies; Picture Courtesy: Reuters)
