C.S. Lewis Guides Star’s Return As Jesus
Jim Caviezel is preparing to reprise his role as Jesus in The Resurrection of the Christ, the sequel to Mel Gibson’s 2004 hit The Passion of the Christ. As part of his spiritual and mental preparation, Caviezel is immersing himself in practices such as fasting, praying the rosary, receiving the Eucharist daily, and reading C.S. Lewis’ The Screwtape Letters, which he says helps him better understand the battle between good and evil. The actor sees the role as more than just a performance—it’s a spiritual mission, and he views the process as entering a form of warfare. Filming is expected to begin in Rome in August, with a release planned for 2026.
Reflecting on the original film, Caviezel recounted the extreme physical and emotional toll it took on him. From dislocated shoulders and hypothermia to a lightning strike during the Crucifixion scene, the production left him with serious health issues, including infections and heart surgeries. Despite the trauma, he didn’t hesitate to accept Gibson’s offer to return for the sequel, explaining that he feels called to the role and wants to approach it with more awareness and presence than he did 20 years ago.
Caviezel also spoke about the impact that portraying Jesus has had on his career, noting that he was largely sidelined in Hollywood afterward. Still, he has continued to pursue faith-driven projects, appearing in films like Paul, Apostle of Christ and Sound of Freedom. He expressed no regrets about his choices, saying that his mission is to serve God through his work and that public criticism only affirms the significance of the message he’s trying to share.
Mel Gibson, who is directing and co-writing the sequel, has said the film will explore the spiritual and supernatural aftermath of the Crucifixion in an intense, surreal way. He emphasized themes of redemption and humility, encouraging people to hold on to their values even when it’s difficult. Alongside Caviezel, original cast members Maia Morgenstern and Francesco De Vito will return as Mary and Peter, respectively. Both Gibson and Caviezel hope the new film will deepen audiences’ understanding of faith, sacrifice, and the enduring relevance of Christ’s story.