While everything from Family Guy to South Park has imagined what a sequel to Passion of the Christ would be like, it seems like we’re sort of getting one. Well, I suppose ‘a retelling’ would be more accurate, although calling it The Resurrection Of The Christ seems like a deliberate attempt to allude to the Gibson movie (although Mel’s not involved).
Variety reports that Jonas Conrad (The Body) will direct the movie based on a script by Dan Gordon (Murder In The First). It’s once more about Jesus’ crucifixion, although this time looking at the other major character in the story, such as Pontius Pilate, Herod, Caiaphas and Judas. Producer Bill McKay says, “It’s as much about the key players as it is about Jesus… We want to bring in the Gladiator dimension of the first century against the political milieu.” He’s also promised the film will stay truthful to the biblical and historical records.
While the crucifixion is indeed a pivotal point in Christianity, as we’ve already had Mel OTT torture porn version recently, wouldn’t it be better to make a film that had something to say about the rest of Jesus’ life? However as Gibson’s film lacked context to an almost ridiculous extent, maybe they’re trying to redress the balance here and suggest the importance of Jesus death wasn’t just how gory and horrible it was.
The film will begin shooting soon, with plans for an Easter 2011 release.