Mel Gibson’s Ominous Career Warning to Jim Caviezel as Jesus

Director Mel Gibson warned Jim Caviezel about the risks of taking the role of Jesus for The Passion of the Christ, suggesting it could derail his Hollywood career. Caviezel went ahead despite the warning, leading to the film’s massive success and controversy. A sequel is on the way, scheduled for 2026, focusing on the days between the crucifixion and resurrection.

In a rather surprising twist in Hollywood lore, Mel Gibson gave actor Jim Caviezel a rather ominous warning about his career while discussing the religious film, The Passion of the Christ. Prepare for a plot twist of biblical proportions. Just before kicking off the 2004 blockbuster, Gibson told Caviezel that taking the role of Jesus could potentially spell doom for his future in tinseltown. Sounds dramatic, doesn’t it?

Caviezel recently revisited the chat during an episode of Raymond Arroyo’s podcast, Arroyo Grande. And, get this: he thought they were initially talking about surfing movies. Imagine Gibson pitching a Jesus flick while suggesting heavenly surfboards! The actor said, “Mel Gibson shows up.” One would almost expect a soundtrack of crashing waves or beach ball sounds in the background.

When Caviezel realised they weren’t discussing summer hits, he asked, “You want me to play Jesus, don’t you?” After Gibson confirmed, Caviezel was all in, despite not having a script at the ready. Now that’s some serious trust! However, two days later, he got a call from Gibson that sent chills down his spine.

The Braveheart director was frank, declaring, “If you do this movie, you may never work in this town again.” Yikes! Despite the storm of controversy that surrounded the original film, Caviezel remained undeterred, saying he wanted to create something authentic, insisting he was “okay with that.” For the record, the film went on to gross over $600 million globally, becoming the highest-grossing Christian film to date, though not without its fair share of naysayers who claimed it was overly violent and antisemitic. Quite the rollercoaster, huh?

And just when you thought it was over, here comes the good news! Following over two decades of silence, The Passion of the Christ is gearing up for a sequel slated for release in 2026. The new film will tackle the astonishing events that unfold over the three days between Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection. Let’s hope it doesn’t veer into sports territory this time!

In summary, Mel Gibson’s warning to Jim Caviezel about the risks of playing Jesus in The Passion of the Christ illustrates the ups and downs of Hollywood. Despite dire predictions, Caviezel pushed forward, helping to create a film that became a significant success but not without some heavy controversy. With a sequel on the horizon, one can only wonder what fresh surprises await us. Surfboards or no surfboards, this ride isn’t over yet!

Original Source: www.express.co.uk