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PASSION OF THE CHRIST 2, which will focus on the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, is in the works from Mel Gibson. When will it release?
By GEORGE SIMPSON
13:06, Sun, Apr 1, 2018 | UPDATED: 13:25, Sun, Apr 1, 2018
The Passion of the Christ – Crucifixion and Resurrection
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Back in 2004 The Passion of Christ was made on tiny budget of $30 million and went on to make over $600 million worldwide.
Covering the betrayal, trial and crucifixion of Jesus, the movie became the highest-grossing R-rated movie of all time – a huge feat for a foreign language film.
Now that a sequel focused on the Resurrection has been confirmed, when can a release be expected?
At this stage it’s unknown but Jim Caviezel, who is reprising the role of Jesus, has confirmed shooting dates have been decided.
The Passion of the Christ took over $600 million at the global box office. With so much money involved, it seems surprising that a sequel to the 2004 film has been made already.
Upon release, the film was heavily criticised for alleged anti-semitism and excessive violence, especially during the crucifiction scenes. Gibson himself, fell from grace in Hollywood in 2006 after accusations of anti-semitism, drunkenness and mysogeny made him a box office liability.
For over a decade it has seemed that a convincing resurrection of his own career seemed impossible.
This week, though, Gibson’s long-term collaborator and Braveheart screenwriter Randall Wallace has revealed that he is working on a script for a sequel.
WARNING SOME IMAGES MAY BE UPSETTING
The Passion of the Christ – Crucifixion and Resurrection
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Wallace said: “I always wanted to tell this story. The Passion is the beginning and there’s a lot more story to tell.”
The religious community tell us a sequel will be even bigger than The Passion of the Christ
Randall Wallace
The Passion of the Christ was a huge hit in the US. Although it was largely unsupported by the mainstream media it was heavily promoted by churches and religious organisations.
Wallace said there was great demand for a sequel from the Christian community.
He added: “The evangelical community considers The Passion the biggest movie ever out of Hollywood, and they kept telling us that they think a sequel will be even bigger.”
Wallace also directed and co-wrote the recent religious drama Heaven is for Real and has been working together with Gibson on the upcoming film Hacksaw Ridge.
Passion of the Christ
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The sequel will follow Christ’s resurrection
Gibson himself fiananced the original film entirely through his own company Icon Productions – to the tune of $45 million.
The investement was rewarded by a remarkable box office return. The home entertainment release was equally successful, shifting almost 2.5 million copies in the first four hours on sale.
Wallace would not be drawn on how the new film would be funded.
He said: “It’s too early to talk money. This is a huge and sacred subject.”
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Gibson’s original account of the final hours of Christ’s life was performed in Latin and Aramaic and remains the highest-grossing foreign-language film at the US box office.
The film starred Jim Caviezel as Jesus and Monica Bellucci as Mary Magdalene and received three Academy Award nominations.
Jewish groups protested and picketed the film, which they regarded as anti-Semitic. When Gibson was asked whether it was, he said: “It’s not meant to. I think it’s meant to just tell the truth.”
Two years later, he was accused of being anti-Semitic following his arrest for drink-driving in July 2006.