Mel Gibson’s highly anticipated follow-up to The Passion of the Christ is gaining support from a prominent evangelical leader as preparations begin to introduce the film to Christian congregations around the world.
Pastor Samuel Rodriguez, president of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference, has officially joined The Resurrection of the Christ: Part One as an ambassador, according to reporting from The Christian Post.
Rodriguez’s involvement reportedly began after Gibson invited him to visit the film’s production in Italy. The collaboration is expected to focus on connecting pastors, Christian organizations and local churches with the film and exploring how its release could become an opportunity for evangelism and conversations about Jesus Christ.
The project carries unusual significance for Christians because it moves the story beyond the crucifixion depicted in Gibson’s 2004 blockbuster The Passion of the Christ and toward the event at the center of the Christian Gospel: the resurrection.
Scripture declares in 1 Corinthians 15:14, “And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.”
For churches, therefore, the larger question may be whether a major theatrical production centered on the resurrection can reach audiences who might never enter a Sunday worship service.
Rodriguez has described the project in explicitly evangelistic terms, expressing hope that the film will introduce a new generation to the message of Christ, redemption and new life.
Production on the two-part biblical epic was completed earlier this year after filming in several Italian locations. Lionsgate is involved in distributing the project, with Part One currently scheduled for May 6, 2027, followed by Part Two on May 25, 2028.
The films will feature a new cast rather than simply reuniting the principal actors from the 2004 production. Finnish actor Jaakko Ohtonen has been cast as Jesus, while Mariela Garriga portrays Mary Magdalene.
The original Passion of the Christ became a major cultural event, bringing biblical discussion into theaters, news programs, workplaces and homes. More than two decades later, Gibson’s new project could again place Jesus Christ at the center of mainstream cultural conversation.
But Christians should also distinguish between Scripture and cinematic interpretation. A biblical film can stimulate interest in the Gospel, but the authority for Christian doctrine remains the biblical text—not a filmmaker’s dramatization of it.
For CNIR, that may ultimately be the story worth watching.
If The Resurrection of the Christ reaches a massive worldwide audience, the film will represent more than another Hollywood release. It could provide churches with a rare cultural opening to discuss Christianity’s foundational claim:
Jesus Christ was crucified, buried—and according to the Gospel, He rose again.
Editorial Note
This article is intended to encourage biblical discussion—not to criticize any individual pastor, church, or denomination. CNIR affirms that Scripture honors faithful spiritual leaders while also emphasizing the importance of mentoring and preparing the next generation. Our hope is that this conversation inspires churches to remain biblically faithful, spiritually healthy, and ready for the future. This article was created with AI assistance and curated by CNIR Staff for accuracy and editorial standards. Source: Christian News & Investigative Reports (CNIR) — cnirbc.com
