And, if you ask Jim Caviezel, the long-awaited sequel about the crucifixion of Jesus — or more accurately known as The Passion of the Christ — will be the “biggest film in world history.”
Few films have been as polarizing, captivating, and awe-inspiring as Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ in 2004. The biblical drama was, at the time, the highest-grossing rated R film ever at $622 million. Of course, since then, nerds have taken over with Joker ($1.074B), Deadpool 2 ($785M) and 1 ($782M), The Matrix: Reloaded ($741M), It ($700M), and Logan ($623M) taking spots 1 through 6 respectively.
In an interview with Alex Marlow on SiriusXM’s “Breitbart News Daily,” Jim Caviezel was talking about the much-anticipated sequel to The Passion of the Christ. Following a few questions about his new movie Infidel, he got to the good part. He shared the title will be The Passion of the Christ: Resurrection.
“Mel Gibson just sent me the third picture, the third draft. It’s coming. It’s called The Passion of the Christ: Resurrection. It’s going to be the biggest film in world history.”
Jim Caviezel, BrEItbart, Sept. 2020
You going to tell Jesus that he’s wrong? Here is what is about to rise in theaters.
The True Passion of the Christ
Few movies have drawn the ire of just about every sect and conclave of humanity as The Passion of the Christ did in 2004. After only spending $30 million to create, the movie went the path of many “Christian” films — press junkets and marketing tours from megachurch to megachurch. It’s the key demo. Can you blame them?
Only, this film would prove to be much different. It was…well, real.
In ancient Rome, emperors would line the famed Appian Way with crucified enemies of the state. Just a way to tell others, “Don’t screw with us.”
That punishment is not for the faint of heart. It is torturous, grueling, and something only given to the worst of humanity.
I know what you’re thinking: “If something is that awful, why is it ‘passionate’?”
Unfortunately, passion didn’t use to mean lust, desire, and the random booty call. In fact, the carnal cousin of the word derived its meaning but changed direction from the meaning.
Without taking a long trip through etymology, we derive this from the Latin passio, which means “suffering.” See there? Its first recorded uses of the word was in the Latin Vulgate (translation of the Aramaic and Hebrew writings of the Bible) in the 2nd century A.D. And that word was only used to describe the death of Jesus Christ. Today, we have a theological word that actually represents romance and “strong emotion” now.
Even Christians came out against the violence and “strong emotion” depicted in the movie. Some called it “unnecessary.” Others said it was “sadistic.” Jewish leaders said it would “encourage and incite anti-Semitic comments.”
Mel Gibson, an espoused Jesuit, knew the gore that would need to be captured on-screen to make the film realistic. He was driven to make The Passion of the Christ as realistic as necessary to convey the brutal reality of what Jesus endured for us (if that’s your particular sway of dogma).
And that last part is why many are rolling their eyes with the news of The Passion of the Christ sequel. Word of warning: Don’t. This movie will be critically acclaimed and a huge box-office bonanza.
The Return of the Christ
Once The Passion of the Christ was released, it caught fire of global acclaim and intrigue. People were seen leaving the cinema sobbing uncontrollably — Christians and non-faith centered people alike. Everyone knew about the movie and made plans to see it.
Then Mel Gibson got in a car–drunk and unrelenting with all his views, all anti-Semitic.
It was two years later when Mel Gibson pretty much undid everything The Passion of the Christ did for non-faith folk. Some Christians were even asking God, “Um, what’s up with this?!” There he was: Mel Gibson speeding down the Pacific Coast Highway in his Lexus, stone-cold smashed.
According to several reports, there was “a three-quarters-full bottle of tequila wrapped in a brown paper bag was found on the floorboard.”
His career was over. His publicist was working hard to make sure that didn’t happen, as here with GMA:
That all said and done… Hollywood is known for many things, including the comeback. Mel Gibson’s mea culpa has been public. And his penance will come in the place of what happens after “the stone was rolled away.”
Much to Biblical lore, God has used many a troubled soul for His will and purpose. Mel Gibson is definitely such a man with a bespectacled past and areas of his life that have shocked an entire nation. Yet, that vision and personal “passion” created one of the most visceral and heart-wrenching stories ever depicted on film.
The “resurrection” of that project should absolutely be no different. Maybe even more…eh, shall we say “glorious.” The slated release date of The Passion of the Christ: Resurrection is 2022.
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