Mel Gibson has begun filming his sequel to The Passion of the Christ in Italy, with excommunicated former archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano serving as a religious consultant.
The production of The Resurrection of the Christ is currently underway in Matera, Basilicata, Italy, with filming taking place in February 2026 at the Murgia Timone area inside the protected Matera Murgia Park.
The Oscar-winning director has returned to the city of the Sassi more than 20 years after shooting The Passion of the Christ there in 2003. The new film, produced in Italy by Tea Time Film S.r.l. on behalf of Panorama Films Srl, is set for release at Easter 2027 and will depict events from the hours following the crucifixion through to the Resurrection.
Former Vatican diplomat Carlo Maria Vigano, who served as Apostolic Nuncio to the United States, has been chosen by Gibson as a religious consultant on the project. Vigano was excommunicated in 2024 for schism after refusing to recognise the authority of Pope Francis and the legitimacy of the Second Vatican Council, and for breaking communion with the Catholic Church.
Photographs published on 17th February on Vigano’s X account show him seated beside Gibson on a set at Rome’s Cinecitta studios. Images circulating on social media show the pair together while Gibson appears to be directing.
Gibson publicly expressed support for Vigano following his excommunication in 2024, writing a letter of solidarity in which he described him as a “modern-day Athanasius.” Reports state the director has been in contact with him since at least that year.
Filming in Matera has been carried out without invasive set constructions following requests from local authorities to protect the landscape. After this phase, production is scheduled to move to Gravina in Puglia in the province of Bari, Ginosa in Taranto province, Torre Guaceto and Brindisi in Apulia, with further filming planned again in Basilicata including Matera and Craco.
The cast includes Cuban-American actress and model Mariela Garriga as Mary Magdalene and Italian actor Riccardo Scamarcio, who is expected to portray Pontius Pilate.
The sequel is reported to have a running time of approximately 150 minutes and is due to be released in cinemas at Easter 2027.
