After news broke that Jim Caviezel will not return as Jesus in The Resurrection of the Christ, the creators had to quickly find a suitable replacement. Among the cast announced today by Variety for the sequel to The Passion is a Polish name—Mel Gibson will be working with Kasia Smutniak!
Kasia Smutniak in the continuation of Gibson’s The Passion
According to Variety, Kasia Smutniak will take on the role of Mary, a part previously portrayed by Maia Morgenstern in The Passion. After roles in Doctor Dolittle and starring in the television series Domina, this will be another major English-language appearance for the actress. Prior to this, in big roles she has appeared primarily in Italy (They, Hummingbird) and Poland (Strangers, Sweet End of Day).
Cast changes and new actors
In addition to Kasia Smutniak, Variety lists other key cast members:
-
Jim Caviezel will be replaced by Finnish actor Jaakko Ohtonen (“Vikings: Valhalla”) in the role of Jesus.
-
Mariela Garriga will play Mary Magdalene, a role Monica Bellucci had in The Passion.
-
Pier Luigi Pasino (Lovely Boy) will play Saint Peter.
-
Riccardo Scamarcio (They) will portray Pontius Pilate.
Originally Caviezel was expected to return in the film, and he had been preparing for the role (including praying and fasting). Gibson had planned to de-age him using digital effects, because the events of the film take place three days after The Passion and 21 years have passed since that film. Caviezel, now 57, would have been tasked with portraying a 33-year-old Jesus.
The change was reportedly made because the de-ageing process proved too problematic, despite Gibson’s assurances in interviews that he could handle it. Filming for The Resurrection of the Christ was slated to begin this month in Rome.
What we know about The Resurrection of the Christ
The Resurrection of the Christ is to depict the three days between Jesus’s death and resurrection. Gibson has described the film as a “trip” during which Jesus visits “other dimensions.”
The first part of The Resurrection of the Christ is scheduled to hit theaters on Good Friday, March 26, 2027. The second part will release 40 days later on Ascension Day, May 6, 2027.
• • • •
