As anticipation builds for The Resurrection of the Christ, screenwriter Randall Wallace is offering a glimpse into the deeply spiritual conversations that shaped the long-awaited sequel to Mel Gibson’s 2004 film, The Passion of the Christ.
Speaking on Raymond Arroyo’s Arroyo Grande podcast, Wallace explained that the idea for a feature-length film centered on Christ’s Resurrection actually began with a conversation he initiated with Gibson during the promotional tour for Hacksaw Ridge in 2016.
According to LifeSiteNews, Wallace told Gibson that while The Passion of the Christ concluded with a brief Resurrection scene, the Resurrection itself deserved to become the focus of an entirely new film.
“Look, you know, the story that you really need to tell is the Resurrection,” Wallace recalled telling Gibson.
After reflecting on the suggestion, Gibson responded with words Wallace described as “profoundly beautiful.”
“If we do this, it can’t be for the money, and it can’t be to get back at people that have hated us or wronged us or been unhappy with us,” Gibson said. Wallace responded simply, “Amen to that.” Gibson then offered a warning that left a lasting impression on his longtime collaborator.
“You know, Satan’s going to come after you,” Gibson said.
Wallace, who is Baptist, joked in response, “Well, you know, Satan doesn’t really care about Baptists. It’s really good when Satan can get a Catholic. We’re a dime a dozen.”
Although Wallace later acknowledged he was “being facetious,” he agreed when Arroyo suggested Gibson’s warning may have carried deeper spiritual significance. According to LifeSiteNews, Wallace said their conversation then turned into “a beautiful conversation about grace,” exploring differences between the Catholic understanding of the sacramental life and the Protestant experience of God’s grace.
The discussion became the foundation for years of collaboration. According to LifeSiteNews, Wallace explained their writing process by saying, “I’ll write a draft, give it to you, then we’ll start tearing it up, go through it. You do your thing, I’ll do mine. We’ll work together, we’ll work apart.”
Mel Gibson has previously stated that he, Wallace, and his brother Donal Gibson spent approximately eight years refining the screenplay.
According to the information shared during the interview, the project has grown into a two-part film. The Resurrection of the Christ: Part One is scheduled to be released on Ascension Thursday, May 6, 2027, followed by Part Two on Ascension Thursday, May 25, 2028. Gibson has also announced that production has been completed, describing the finished work as “exactly as I envisioned it” and calling it “a mission I’ve carried for over 20 years to tell what I believe is the most important story in human history.”
Wallace also hinted that audiences should expect a unique portrayal of the spiritual realm while remaining faithful to Christian belief. According to LifeSiteNews, he said Gibson’s “unique vision of the spiritual realm” is “really special,” adding that the films will include “elements that people have never seen before” while remaining “the most orthodox telling” and “the most consistent telling of the overall belief, the awe and the mystery” surrounding Christ’s Resurrection.
The original The Passion of the Christ became one of the most successful independent films in history, earning more than $612 million worldwide despite significant controversy surrounding its release. According to LifeSiteNews, the film will return to theaters in a newly remastered 4K edition from September 10 through September 17, with audiences also receiving an exclusive first look at the upcoming Resurrection film.
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