Lionsgate has rescheduled the release of Mel Gibson's two-part cinematic project, The Resurrection of the Christ. The films, which detail the events following the crucifixion, will now debut in May 2027 and May 2028.

The Shift to May 6, 2027, and May 25, 2028

Lionsgate has significantly altered the rollout strategy for Mel Gibson's upcoming biblical epics. According to the report, the original plan slated The Resurrection of the Christ: Part One for March 26, 2027 (Good Friday), with Part Two following quickly on May 6, 2027 (Ascension Day). The new calendar pushes Part One to May 6, 2027, and delays Part Two by an entire year to May 25, 2028, aligning it with Ascension Day and Memorial Day Weekend.

This adjustment suggests a move away from a rapid-fire release. As the source reported, the previous 40-day window between the two films was viewed as a potential risk, as audiences rarely return for a sequel in such a short timeframe. By extending the gap to a full year, Lionsgate is treating the two films as distinct cinematic events rather than a single split release .

Jaakko Ohtonen and Mariela Garriga Step Into Iconic Roles

The production features a complete overhaul of the lead cast compared to Gibson's previous work in the genre. Jaakko Ohtonen has been cast as Jesus Christ, taking over the role previously held by Jim Caviezel in The Passion of the Christ. Similarly, Mariela Garriga replaces Monica Bellucci in the role of Mary Magdalene.

The supporting cast for The Resurrection of the Christ includes Pier Luigi Pasino, Kasia Smutniak, Riccardo Scamarcio, and Rupert Everett. the scripts were co-written by Mel Gibson and Randall Wallace, based on a story developed by Gibson, Wallace, and Donal Gibson.

A New Chapter Following the Legacy of The Passion of the Christ

This project represents a return to the high-intensity religious storytelling that defined Mel Gibson's 2004 hit, The Passion of the Christ. While that film focused on the final hours of Jesus' life,this new duology focuses specifically on the resurrection three days after the crucifixion. The move to target Ascension Day for the releases indicates a calculated effort by Lionsgate to align the films' commercial availability with the liturgical calendar of the Christian faith.

The decision to split the narrative into two parts mirrors a broader industry trend of expanding singular stories into franchises to maximize box office potential. However, the specific focus on the resurrection allows Mel Gibson to explore theological themes that were left untouched in his previous work.

The Mystery of the 'Near Completion' Production Timeline

Despite the release dates being set for 2027 and 2028, the source claims that The Resurrection of the Christ movies are already "near completion." This creates a puzzling gap of several years betwen the end of production and the actual theatrical debut. it remains unclear why Lionsgate would hold completed films for such an extended period, or if the "near completion" status refers only to principal photography rather than post-production.

Additionally, the report does not clarify if the casting changes—specifically the replacement of Jim Caviezel—were a creative choice by Mel Gibson or a requirement of the studio. The lack of comment from the actors themselves leaves the nature of these transitions unverified.