Mel Gibson Shares Spiritual Warning with Screenwriter Randall Wallace on 'Resurrection' Sequel

In a recent interview on the Arroyo Grande podcast, renowned screenwriter Randall Wallace opened up about his collaboration with actor and filmmaker Mel Gibson on the highly anticipated sequel to The Passion of the Christ, titled The Resurrection of the Christ. Wallace, who has worked with Gibson on several projects including Braveheart, We Were Soldiers, and Hacksaw Ridge, revealed that the idea for the sequel was first discussed while they were promoting Hacksaw Ridge in 2016. According to Wallace, he approached Gibson with the concept of creating a film centered on Jesus Christ's resurrection, an idea that Gibson had often thought about over the years but never fully explored in the original film. The original version of The Passion of the Christ did not include the resurrection sequence, but Gibson later added a brief scene to conclude the film, showing Jesus rising from the tomb and revealing the wounds in his hands. Wallace stated that Gibson emphasized the importance of not making the film for financial gain or personal motives, but rather as a meaningful exploration of faith. Gibson also issued a spiritual warning, cautioning that 'Satan's going to come after you' if they proceeded with the project. Wallace initially joked about the remark but later reflected on its significance, leading to a meaningful discussion about grace between the two men. The conversation marked the beginning of their collaboration on the screenplay, with both writers working together and separately over several years to develop the story. The Resurrection of the Christ, which will be released as a two-part film, is scheduled for release on May 6, 2027, and May 25, 2028. Gibson has described the project as one of the most important works of his career, stating that it 'represents a major part of my life's work, and it has demanded everything of me as a filmmaker and as an artist.' Wallace reflected on the upcoming sequel, saying that audiences should expect a unique portrayal of the Resurrection while remaining faithful to Christian belief. 'The ultimate movie, in some ways, will have elements that people have never seen before,' he said. 'In fact, in many ways, it'll be stuff nobody's ever seen. And yet I believe it'll be, in a certain way, the most orthodox telling. It'll be the most consistent telling of the overall belief, the awe and the mystery that Christians experience when they experience the Resurrection.'