Mel Gibson Sparks Controversy with Jesus and Mary Magdalene Recast
SHOCKING SEQUEL: Mel Gibson's Long-Awaited The Resurrection of the Christ Sparks Outrage Among Fans
The wait is finally over for Mel Gibson's highly-anticipated sequel to his 2004 blockbuster, The Passion of the Christ. However, what was expected to be a triumphant return for the embattled director has instead sparked outrage among fans after it was announced that Jim Caviezel, who played Jesus in the original film, would not be reprising his role.
According to insiders close to the production, Gibson's decision to recast the entire film was driven by concerns over the cost of using CGI (computer-generated imagery) to de-age Caviezel and other cast members. However, this move has been met with fierce resistance from fans who are adamant that Caviezel is the only actor capable of bringing the iconic role to life.
"It's blasphemous work!" exclaimed one fan on social media platform X. "Caviezel must be devastated. He's been talking about this film since 2012," another added, referencing the actor's devout Catholicism and his long-held desire to reprise his role as Jesus.
As fans continue to express their outrage, it's clear that Gibson's decision has sparked a major controversy. So who are the new faces that will be taking on the iconic roles in The Resurrection of the Christ? Finnish actor Jaakko Ohtonen, 36, has been cast as Jesus, while Cuban actress Mariela Garriga, also 36, will play Mary Magdalene.
Ohtonen is best known for his role as Wolland in the historical drama The Last Kingdom, which is set during the Viking invasions of 9th and 10th-century England. Meanwhile, Garriga has starred opposite Tom Cruise in the Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning films as Marie.
But it's not just Caviezel who is being replaced; Maia Morgenstern, who played Jesus' mother Mary in the original film, will also be recast by Polish actress Kasia Smutniak, 46. Smutniak has previously starred in the TV show Domina and is set to bring a new interpretation to the iconic role.
Italian star Pier Luigi Pasino, who stars on Netflix's The Law According to Lidia Poët, will play Jesus' trusted apostle Peter. Meanwhile, Pontius Pilate will be played by Italian actor Riccardo Scamarcio, who recently led the Johnny Depp-directed biopic Modi. English actor Rupert Everett, 66, is also set to appear in the film and has an "unspecified small but important role."
So why did Gibson decide to recast the entire film? According to a source close to the production, it was simply too expensive to use CGI to de-age Caviezel and other cast members. However, this decision has sparked accusations that Gibson is trying to distance himself from his original vision.
Gibson's passion project has been in development hell for years, with the director previously stating that he wanted to tell the story of Jesus' resurrection in a way that would be both epic and intimate. The film will be split into two parts, with the first part premiering on Good Friday, March 26, 2027, and the second part premiering on Ascension Day, Thursday, May 6, 2027.
But what can fans expect from Gibson's ambitious sequel? According to the director, the film will follow "the fall of the angels to the death of the last apostle." In an interview with The Joe Rogan Experience, Gibson stated that he wanted to tackle a story that would be both epic and intimate, and would require a lot of planning and research.
"It's super ambitious," Gibson admitted. "But I'll take a crack at it because that's what you've got to do, right? Walk up to the plate?"
The original The Passion of the Christ was a box office success, grossing over $612 million globally on a budget of just $30 million. However, the film also courted controversy with its graphic violence and dialogue in Aramaic, Hebrew, and Latin.
As Gibson prepares to tackle his most ambitious project yet, fans can't help but wonder if he's taking on too much. Will The Resurrection of the Christ live up to its predecessor, or will it prove to be a disappointing sequel? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure: Mel Gibson's long-awaited sequel has sparked a major controversy among fans.
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