Mel Gibson’s long-awaited sequel to “The Ardour of the Christ” has lastly began filming and it’s already sparking main debate.

Over 20 years after his 2004 biblical blockbuster shocked the world, Gibson is returning with “The Resurrection of the Christ.”

Nonetheless, the director’s alternative to interchange Jim Caviezel, who famously performed Jesus, has brought on a mixture of outrage and curiosity on-line.

After years of rumors and delays, Mel Gibson’s “The Resurrection of the Christ” is formally in manufacturing at Rome’s Cinecittà Studios, the identical place he filmed “The Ardour of the Christ” 20 years in the past.

The sequel picks up three days after the crucifixion, specializing in Jesus’s resurrection.

Gibson determined to utterly recast the movie, with Finnish actor Jaakko Ohtonen now portraying Christ.

Different key roles have additionally modified arms. Mariela Garriga, recognized for “Mission Inconceivable: Lifeless Reckoning,” now performs Mary Magdalene, whereas Polish-born Kasia Smutniak replaces Maia Morgenstern as Mary.

Apostle Peter will likely be portrayed by Italian actor Pier Luigi Pasino, and Riccardo Scamarcio, who starred in Johnny Depp’s “Modì,” steps in as Pontius Pilate.

Gibson’s longtime manufacturing firm, Icon Productions, is as soon as once more behind the challenge, with Lionsgate dealing with distribution. The 2-part movie is ready to reach in theaters in 2027.

When information broke that Mel Gibson had changed Caviezel with Ohtonen, followers have been fast to precise their anger on-line.

The 57-year-old has typically mentioned that the position of Jesus modified his life, and he hinted simply this April that he was able to return for the sequel.

Nonetheless, Gibson’s crew reportedly determined that recasting the whole movie made extra sense than utilizing costly digital results.

“They might have needed to do all this CGI stuff, all this de-aging and all that — that will have been very expensive,” a supply instructed Selection.

Nonetheless, followers weren’t completely happy. One X consumer wrote per the Every day Mail, “Recasting Jesus is blasphemous work.”

One other mentioned, “Caviezel have to be devastated. He’s been speaking about this film since 2012.”

Others added that Caviezel’s return would have made the sequel really feel extra genuine, connecting it to the unique story audiences beloved.

Regardless of the backlash, some followers supported Gibson’s resolution, calling him “an awesome director who can ship with any actor.”

Past the outcry over Caviezel’s substitute, Gibson’s casting of Ohtonen as Jesus has triggered a wider debate about illustration.

Many customers questioned why the brand new Jesus is being performed by a Finnish actor fairly than somebody of Center Jap descent.

“So we’re simply gonna hold pretending Jesus was a white man?” one fan joked on social media.

One other wrote, “They gave him a white face in order that they don’t have to wish to somebody they deem lesser.”

Others mocked the casting by calling Ohtonen a “DEI Jesus” or joking that “Jesus was Finnish confirmed.”

Nonetheless, some followers defended Gibson’s alternative, noting that Caviezel himself was additionally not Center Jap and that “The Ardour of the Christ” succeeded regardless of the identical concern.

Mel Gibson has by no means been afraid of pushing artistic limits, and he says “The Resurrection of the Christ” will likely be his most bold movie but.

Throughout an look on “The Joe Rogan Expertise,” the 69-year-old filmmaker described the challenge as very bold and mentioned it should discover highly effective religious themes.

“It’s about discovering the way in which in that’s not tacky or too apparent,” he defined per the Every day Mail. “You want to go to hell. You want to go to Sheol.”

He admitted the manufacturing will likely be difficult, saying, “To let you know the reality, it’s tremendous bold. However I’ll take a crack at it as a result of that’s what you’ve acquired to do, proper, stroll as much as the plate, proper?”

Gibson wrote the screenplay alongside “Braveheart” author Randall Wallace, calling it an “acid journey” of a narrative that he’s “by no means learn something like.”