Behind the Scenes of The Passion
On the set with Holly McClure
Day 3: Why Mel didn't cast himself in the lead role—and why he loves his hand-picked cast.
by Holly McClure | posted 02/25/04
On several occasions, I sat with Mel in his trailer and had wonderful discussions about his career. We talked about politics and how he does love a good conspiracy; I told him he's sometimes just like the character he played in Conspiracy Theory). We talked about his family, the film, the media, you name it.
I ate meals with Mel and his crew, attended Latin Masses conducted by a priest Mel brought to the set, met his family and friends who visited on the set, and thrilled at watching the dailies (scenes filmed the day before) with Mel, Director of Photography Caleb Deschanel and Producer Steve McEveety.
 | | Holly and Jim Caviezel |
When asked why he didn't take on the role of directing and starring in his movie, Mel laughed at the question and exclaimed with both hands in the air, "That should be obvious! Jim (Caviezel) was perfect for the role. It required an actor who was less recognizable to the general public, but one who could handle everything I was going to put him through. It's not an easy role, what with the extreme physical demands, learning Aramaic and everything else. Jim took on a difficult task but he's given me an incredible performance.
"Jim and I created a Jesus on film that is true to what we imagined he is. You know, many times when you see Jesus in movies, he's kind of a wimp, but that's not what we've got here. We've got a Jesus who is masculine, strong and tough. He takes a lot upon himself and suffers with tremendous courage and great dignity."
Mel is clearly proud of his cast and what they've done with their roles. After bragging on Caviezel, he went on to laud the performances of Maia Morgenstern, a Jewish Romanian who plays Mary, mother of Jesus, and Monica Bellucci, an Italian in the role of Mary Magdalene.
 | | Holly and Maia Morgenstern |
Mel found Maia through a casting director in Romania. The petite actress literally "grew" on the set, and was almost six months pregnant at the end of filming (it's concealed by her long robe). Despite the wind and cold and long days, Maia never complained. She even came in on her days off, and always had a smile on her face.
Monica was beautiful no matter what Mel did. He told her, "I can't make you dirty or ugly; the camera loves you too much!" He constantly put dirt on her face, but her beauty still came through. Monica said that when she heard that Mel was making this film, she called her agent right away and said, "I've got to play this part." She met with Mel and got the job.
(In one ironic twist regarding the cast, the man who plays Judas, Luca Lionello, has a real-life son named Jesus!)
One interesting role is Mel's unusual casting of Satan—a striking Italian actress named Rosalinda Celentano. Mel asked her to shave her head and eyebrows to achieve a dark and evil look as she stalks Jesus throughout his ordeal—including a chilling appearance in the Garden of Gethsemane.
Mel hand-picked each cast member for their personalities and looks—even the Roman guards. "Man," says Mel, "the guards are very scary, a little too real almost. There's not a bad performance in my cast. It's truly amazing."
Tomorrow: Realistic violence is Gibson's way of showing "the extent of the sacrifice willingly taken by Jesus."
For more on Holly McClure, click here.
Copyright © 2004 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.
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