Mel Gibson Meets Nuns Amid Controversy Over Jesus Film Recast

ROME, Italy — Mel Gibson was spotted meeting local nuns in Rome on Monday as he took a break from filming his upcoming movie, “Resurrection Of The Christ.” The film has been in the spotlight recently due to its decision to recast key roles, causing backlash among fans.

Over two decades after the success of “The Passion of the Christ,” the 69-year-old director is back for the long-anticipated sequel. However, fan reactions have been mixed since original cast members were replaced, including Jim Caviezel, who portrayed Jesus Christ in the first film.

As Gibson navigated through the Italian capital, he wore a tan Carhartt jacket, a white shirt, dark trainers, and his signature sunglasses. During his outing, he stopped to chat with the nuns outside a supermarket, embodying a relaxed demeanor amidst the storm of controversy.

Gibson’s latest film shifts its focus to events occurring three days after Christ’s crucifixion. The star of the film is Finnish actor Jaakko Ohtonen, who will take on the role of Christ, while Cuban actress Mariela Garriga will portray Mary Magdalene. This change has upset some fans, with social media comments expressing disappointment at the departure from the original cast.

A source involved with the production explained the need for a fresh cast, stating, “It made sense to recast the whole film. They would have had to do all this CGI stuff, all this digital stuff — de-aging — that would have been very costly.” This news hasn’t soothed all critics, as some fans likened recasting Jesus to blasphemy.

Numerous fans also speculated about Caviezel’s absence. Many felt that he remained connected to the film since its inception and expressed their belief that his return could have added depth to the sequel. Others noted the challenges of restoring the original cast to maintain continuity.

In addition to Ohtonen and Garriga, other newly cast talent includes Polish actress Kasia Smutniak as Mary and Italian actor Riccardo Scamarcio as Pontius Pilate. English actor Rupert Everett will also appear in an unspecified role.

As filming progresses, Gibson continues to face mixed emotions from supporters and critics alike. Only time will tell how these changes will impact the film’s reception.