Jim Caviezel will not return to play Jesus Christ for director Mel Gibson ‘s forthcoming follow-ups to the smash hit The Passion of the Christ , The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed.

Lionsgate is set to release the two-film project The Resurrection of the Christ theatrically in 2027, with the production aiming to begin soon in Rome. Key roles will be recast for the new movies, as Caviezel will not reprise the titular part of Jesus, while Monica Bellucci also won’t return as Mary Magdalene.

Telling the story of Jesus’ arrest and crucifixion, The Passion of the Christ was a box office sensation when it hit theaters Feb. 25, 2004, surpassing $600 million globally. Until last year, the movie’s $370 million box office sum in North America made it the highest-grossing R-rated t

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