Editor's note: Now that April Fool's Day is behind us, we'll fess up: This "news" story is a spoof. The 10-point "acrostic" below should've been evidence enough: Read the first letter of each line, going down vertically. Get it? Happy April 2nd.
CT Movies has learned that Mel Gibson is planning a sequel to The Passion of The Christ, to begin filming in May in southern Italy.
The film, titled The Resurrection of The Christ, is scheduled to release around Easter of 2010. Though the script has not yet been finalized, a source close to Gibson told us that the film will pick up where The Passion left off - with Christ in the tomb, rising from the dead. The storyline will include Christ's appearance to his disciples and many others, and carry through to the Ascension.
James Caviezel, who played Jesus in The Passion, is not available to resurrect the role, the source told CT Movies. When asked who was being considered for the part, the source said that Mickey Rourke, recently nominated for an Oscar in The Wrestler, was on the short list. He also said that Russell Crowe, Ewan McGregor, and "an unknown actor from Australia" were being considered.
The source told CT that Gibson wanted to accomplish 10 things in the new film:
A mazing miracles
P assionate acting
R esurrection power
I nspirational images
L ove of the Lord
F ollowing Jesus
O ne way to Heaven
O mniscience of God
L asting impressions
S alvation from sin
The source also told CT Movies that although the mainstream media might ridicule Gibson for this decision, the director was clinging to his favorite Scripture passage about being "fools for Christ" (1 Cor. 4:10).
CT Movies will continue to monitor the story, and report any new developments should they arise.
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