Jim Caviezel Braces for Sequel in ‘The Passion of the Christ’ This August

ROME, Italy — Over two decades after the original film hit theaters, Jim Caviezel is set to reprise his role as Jesus in a highly anticipated sequel to ‘The Passion of the Christ.’ Scheduled to begin filming in Italy this August, ‘The Resurrection of the Christ‘ will focus on themes of redemption and spiritual journey, exploring the Harrowing of Hell and the messages found in the book of Revelation.

Directed by Mel Gibson, who co-wrote the first film, this sequel delves deeper into the spiritual realms, showcasing scenes from the fall of Satan to the Apostle John’s revelations. Caviezel, who will be digitally de-aged for the role, expressed mixed emotions about returning to the character. “I’m scared. But if I wasn’t, I wouldn’t want to work with that actor because you’re not ready, and this is a war,” he said during an appearance on Raymond Arroyo’s YouTube channel.

Caviezel, a devout Roman Catholic, has taken his preparation for the role seriously, spending Lent reading C.S. Lewis’ ‘The Screwtape Letters,’ a satirical exploration of temptation and moral struggles. He stated, “I read about it today in The Screwtape Letters. Don’t worry about the future. The past is dead. It’s locked… It’s hard to do when you do that.”

Despite his apprehensions, Caviezel is determined to approach the sequel differently than he did the original film. “I want to enjoy this one more than I did the other one,” he said, acknowledging the stress he felt while making the previous film. He expressed concern about not including Aramaic in the sequel. “Just because I don’t do it in Aramaic doesn’t mean that Jesus goes away,” he added.

In regard to the thematic shift from suffering to victory, Caviezel believes that his performance must reflect a triumphant Jesus. “The antithesis of what I’m going to be playing is how Jesus works, which is so simple,” he explained. He also acknowledged the support he received from local clergy during the original film, indicating how critical spiritual guidance will be during the sequel as well.

As the release approaches, analysts anticipate that ‘The Resurrection of the Christ’ will reignite discussions surrounding faith and spirituality, much like its predecessor. While details remain under wraps, the film is expected to resonate with long-time fans and new audiences alike, with Gibson hinting at a potential shift in language style for the film.