After years of anticipation, The Passion of the Christ: Resurrection, the long-awaited sequel to Mel Gibson’s 2004 film The Passion of the Christ, is nearing the start of production. Jim Caviezel, who starred as Jesus in the original, has confirmed he will reprise his role in the sequel, which may begin filming as early as next year.

According to Italian news agency Italpress, Gibson is currently in Malta with his production team, scouting locations for the upcoming film. The visit is part of a five-day trip during which Gibson will meet with government officials to discuss filming on the Mediterranean island. Production is expected to start in early 2025, following Gibson’s press tour for his action thriller Flight Risk, set for release in January.

The sequel has been in development for several years, with multiple script revisions. Gibson and co-writer Randall Wallace, who received an Oscar nomination for writing Braveheart, have reportedly written six drafts of the screenplay. Wallace confirmed in April that the script is now complete. While plot details remain scarce, Gibson has indicated that Resurrection will have a more spiritual and metaphysical tone compared to the original.

In a 2022 interview, Gibson commented on the complexity of the story, saying, “It’s not a linear narrative…you have to juxtapose the central event that I’m trying to tell with everything else around it in the future, in the past and in other realms…It’s a difficult concept, and it has taken me a long time to focus and find a way to tell that story.”

He even described the project as “an acid trip,” fueling speculation that the film will take a more supernatural approach, with rumors pointing to references to the “Harrowing of Hell,” a Catholic tradition about Christ’s journey through Hell to redeem souls.

The original The Passion of the Christ became a massive success upon its release in 2004. Despite low expectations, it grossed $370 million domestically and over $611 million worldwide, becoming the third-highest-grossing domestic film of that year. It held the record for the highest-grossing R-rated film for 20 years until Deadpool and Logan surpassed it. The film earned three Academy Award nominations, including Best Cinematography and Best Original Score.

Resurrection is expected to follow in the footsteps of its predecessor, blending religious themes with dramatic and supernatural elements, while aiming to captivate audiences once again. In addition to Resurrection, Gibson is also set to direct Lethal Weapon 5, following the passing of original director Richard Donner.