Lionsgate has come on board as studio partner for Mel Gibson’s upcoming The Resurrection Of The Christ, follow-up to Gibson’s 2004 hit The Passion Of The Christ.
Lionsgate will distribute the project, from Gibson and Bruce Davey’s Icon Productions, worldwide.
With Gibson directing from a script he wrote with Randall Wallace, the project is reportedly set to start shooting at Rome’s Cinecitta Studios in August. The plot and other details have so far been kept under wraps.
Gibson made his two most recent films, Hacksaw Ridge and Flight Risk, for Lionsgate, which is also the distributor for the Icon library. The library includes The Passion of the Christ, Gibson’s retelling of the final days and crucifixion of Jesus Christ. That film, with Jim Caviezel in the title role, became a surprise hit in 2004, grossing $610m worldwide.
Gibson has recently been in the news as one of US president Donald Trump’s three ‘Hollywood ambassadors,’ though he has not yet commented publicly on the debate about the US industry sparked by Trump’s proposal for a 100% tariff on films made outside the US.
Commenting on the deal for the new project, Adam Fogelson, chair of Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, said: “For many, many people across the globe, The Resurrection Of The Christ is the most anticipated theatrical event in a generation. It is also an awe-inspiring and spectacularly epic theatrical film that is going to leave moviegoers worldwide breathless. Mel is one of the greatest directors of our time, and this project is both deeply personal to him and the perfect showcase for his talents as a filmmaker. My relationship with Mel and Bruce dates back 30 years, and I am thrilled to be partnering with them once again on this landmark event for audiences.”
Gibson added: “Lionsgate’s brave, innovative spirit and nimble, can-do attitude have inspired me for a long time, and I couldn’t think of a more perfect distributor for The Resurrection of the Christ. I’ve enjoyed working with Adam and the team several times over recent years. I know the clever ingenuity, passion, and ambition the entire team commits to their projects and I’m confident they will bring everything they can to the release of this movie.”
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