Writer reveals Mel Gibson's dark warning on Passion sequel
Randall Wallace, the Resurrection of the Christ writer collaborating with Mel Gibson on the Passion of the Christ sequel, says Gibson warned that Satan would come after him before they started the screenplay. Wallace shared the exchange on Raymond Arroyo's podcast, recalling a conversation about grace and motive.
Key Takeaways
- Wallace says he approached Gibson about a Resurrection film during the 2016 Hacksaw Ridge tour.
- Gibson warned the project could not be about money or revenge, and that Satan would come after Wallace.
- Wallace co-wrote The Resurrection of the Christ with Mel Gibson and Donal Gibson.
- Part One is set for May 6, 2027; Part Two is scheduled for May 25, 2028.
The revelation comes from Wallace's recent appearance on Raymond Arroyo's podcast Arroyo Grande, where the Braveheart and Hacksaw Ridge collaborator detailed how the long-gestating Passion follow-up began. For more Hollywood headlines, see our celebrity breaking news coverage.
What did Mel Gibson warn Randall Wallace about?
According to Wallace, Gibson paused after the pitch, then set a spiritual and ethical boundary. Gibson said the film could not be made for money or to strike back at critics who hated or wronged them.
Wallace recalled Gibson adding a darker note: "You know, Satan's going to come after you." Wallace said he answered facetiously that Satan does not really care about Baptists, then admitted he wondered whether Gibson might be right. He described what followed as a beautiful conversation about grace.
How did The Resurrection of the Christ get started?
Wallace said Mel did not approach him; he approached Gibson. While promoting Hacksaw Ridge in 2016, Wallace argued that the story Gibson still needed to tell was the Resurrection. He noted that Passion originally lacked a resurrection scene until audience feedback pushed Gibson to add a brief closing epilogue.
Wallace proposed they partner: he would write a draft, then they would revise together and apart. Gibson has said he, Wallace, and brother Donal Gibson spent roughly six to eight years refining the screenplay, which is now split into two parts.
When is the Passion sequel coming out?
Gibson announced in May that production was complete. The Resurrection of the Christ: Part One is due May 6, 2027, on Ascension Day. Part Two is scheduled for May 25, 2028, over Memorial Day weekend. Gibson called the project a mission he has carried for more than 20 years.
Wallace teased Gibson's vision of the spiritual realm while keeping plot details secret, saying the film may show elements audiences have never seen and still aim for an orthodox telling of Christian belief in the Resurrection. The 2004 Passion of the Christ grossed more than $610 million worldwide. Full reporting is at Page Six.