Mel Gibson is consulting with excommunicated Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò — who has called the late Pope Francis “a servant of Satan” — for the “The Resurrection of the Christ,” his follow up to 2004’s “The Passion of the Christ” that is currently still shooting in Italy.
Viganò, who is the Vatican’s former ambassador to the United States, was excommunicated in 2024 for refusing to recognize Pope Francis’ authority and rejecting the Second Vatican Council that modernized the Roman Catholic Church. He has repeatedly referred to Francis as a liberal “servant of Satan” and a “false prophet” in public statements. Viganò is also known to be a big fan of U.S. President Donald Trump, a critic of gay rights and a supporter of anti-vaccine positions.
Gibson, who publicly defended Viganò when he was excommunicated, has been receiving input on “The Resurrection” from Viganò according to Italian press reports that were confirmed by sources. Viganò — who though excommunicated, is allowed to keep his Archbishop title — has been present on the set of the sequel that is currently doing exterior shoots in various locations south of Rome. These include the ancient town of Matera, a Unesco World Heritage site known for its prehistoric whitewashed caves where “The Passion” was shot. Viganò and Gibson are seen on set in the social media post below.
Variety has reached out to Gibson’s publicist Alan Nierob for comment.
— Arcivescovo Carlo Maria Viganò (@CarloMVigano) February 17, 2026
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As reported exclusively by Variety, shooting on Gibson’s long-delayed follow up to “The Passion of the Christ” started in early October at the new Studio 22 facility at Rome’s Cinecittà Studios with its main ensemble cast having been entirely recast. Finnish actor Jaakko Ohtonen (“The Last Kingdom”) is playing the role of Jesus, replacing original star Jim Caviezel. Mary Magdalene, a role held in “Passion” by Monica Bellucci, is being played in “Resurrection” by Cuban actress Mariela Garriga, and Smutniak is replacing Maia Morgenstern as Mary. A crew of more than 500 film workers has been employed on the big-budget religious epic in Rome.
More than 20 years ago, Gibson shot the original “Passion of the Christ” at Cinecittà, which became one of the largest-grossing independent films of all time with a worldwide box office of $610 million. As previously announced, “The Resurrection of the Christ” will be split into two films, with both set to release in 2027.
“The Resurrection of the Christ” is being produced by Gibson, Bruce Davey and their Icon Productions banner with Lionsgate as the studio partner.
The original film, which is spoken in Aramaic, Hebrew and Latin to create a more historically accurate and immersive experience, followed the final 12 hours before the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Gibson has described the sequels as an “acid trip,” adding that he “never read anything like” the scripts, which the filmmaker wrote alongside “Braveheart” screenwriter Randall Wallace. As the title suggests, the plot is expected to focus on Jesus Christ’s resurrection. Other story details are being kept under wraps.
From Variety US