For the love of all that’s holy, this is the last thing we needed. As if we hadn’t waited long enough for a sequel about the brutal murder of Jesus Christ having been betrayed by his followers, now we have to wait even longer. And even if they think the blow can be softened by releasing a first look at the sequel… well, they’re right.

Lionsgate has shifted the release dates for The Resurrection of the Christ, with Part One now set to arrive in theaters on May 6, 2027, which falls on Ascension Day. Part Two has moved much further down the calendar and will now open on May 25, 2028, which is both Ascension Day and Memorial Day weekend. The films were previously set much closer together, with Part One dated for March 26, 2027, on Good Friday, and Part Two following just 40 days later on May 6, 2027. Lionsgate’s Day Drinker, starring Johnny Depp, will now take the March 26, 2027 slot.

The Resurrection of the Christ stars Jaakko Ohtonen as Jesus, Mariela Garriga as Mary Magdalene, Pier Luigi Pasino as Peter, Kasia Smutniak as Mary, Riccardo Scamarcio as Pontius Pilate, and Rupert Everett. The new cast marks a major change from The Passion of the Christ, with the sequel moving forward without original star Jim Caviezel returning as Jesus.

Why Is Mel Gibson Making a Sequel to ‘The Passion’?

This is a film that Mel Gibson has been trying to make for over a decade, and he described it as “a major part of his life’s work”. Given the body of work he’s put together as a director, it must be incredibly meaningful to him. He said, in a statement:

“I’m deeply grateful to my incredibly talented cast and crew for pouring their hearts into this production. Together, we created something powerful. This film represents a major part of my life’s work, and it has demanded everything of me as a filmmaker and as an artist. This is far more than a film to me. It’s a mission I’ve carried for over twenty years to tell what I believe is the most important story in human history. Reuniting with many of my original collaborators from The Passion of the Christ — true masters of their craft — allowed us to bring this story to the screen exactly as I envisioned it, with the tremendous support of my longtime partners, Adam and the team at Lionsgate.”

The Resurrection of the Christ: Part One will be released on May 6, 2027. The Resurrection of the Christ: Part Two will be released on May 25, 2028.

via Collider