Fans Outraged Over New Jesus Casting in Mel Gibson’s ‘The Resurrection of the Christ: Part One’

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Mel Gibson’s new movie, ‘The Resurrection of the Christ: Part One,’ is causing a stir online after the announcement of who will play Jesus.

This new film continues the story begun in Mel Gibson’s 2004 movie, *The Passion of the Christ*. Jaakko Ohtonen takes on the role of Jesus, replacing Jim Caviezel, who previously portrayed Jesus in the original film.

Mariela Garriga will now play Mary Magdalene, replacing Monica Bellucci. Several other key characters – including Mary, Peter, and Pontius Pilate – have also been replaced, as reported by Variety and Collider.

Okay, so I’m really excited about this new film. Mel Gibson not only directed it but co-wrote the script with Randall Wallace, and it dives deep – seriously deep – into what happened to Christ between his death and resurrection. We’re talking about his time in Hell, encounters with fallen angels, and this whole thing called the Harrowing of Hell, which sounds intense. Gibson himself called making it a wild ride, and honestly, I believe him! And get this – it’s the first part of a two-part story, with the second film, focusing on the Resurrection, already scheduled for May 6th, 2027. I’ve been waiting for this for ages!

Jim Caviezel and Monica Bellucci were initially expected to reprise their roles, and plans included using computer effects to make Caviezel appear younger, similar to what was done in the movie *The Irishman*. Unfortunately, due to scheduling issues and the high cost of these effects, the filmmakers had to recast the roles. The choice of Ville Ohtonen to play Jesus has especially sparked a lot of discussion among fans.

Viewers are upset about the new actor chosen to play Jesus and the fact that he appears to have lighter skin than the previous actor, Jim Caviezel. Many are expressing their disappointment online, with one fan stating that Caviezel is irreplaceable and that his performance in ‘The Passion of the Christ’ will endure for generations. Another viewer acknowledged the challenge facing the new actor, hoping he can do justice to the role, and praised Caviezel’s selfless dedication to portraying Christ.

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Many people felt Jim Caviezel had a special connection to the role, and questioned if another actor could live up to his performance. One fan commented, “No one can replace Jim. Even his initials, JC, felt meant for the part! I just hope the new actor does well.” Another expressed concern that Caviezel *became* the character twenty years ago, adding, “Recasting feels risky, and I think a lot of original fans will refuse to watch.”

The strong reaction shows how closely fans connect Jim Caviezel to the role of Jesus. Some viewers worry the new actor might affect how well the sequel is accepted, but others are optimistic that he’ll do the part justice.

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2025-10-17 20:15