Hollywood star Mel Gibson is facing potential danger following casting decisions for his upcoming film, The Resurrection of the Christ. The sequel to his blockbuster hit The Passion of the Christ has ignited controversy, with some religious groups expressing outrage over the selection of Kasia Smutniak, a pro-abortion actress, to play the Virgin Mary.
Filming is currently underway in Italy, but the production has been embroiled in a political storm. Conservative Christian groups, particularly in Poland, have voiced strong opposition to Smutniak's casting, citing her support for women's rights protests and opposition to Poland's restrictive abortion laws.
Insiders reveal that the backlash has escalated into credible threats, prompting increased security measures for Gibson and the production. One source stated, "There are people who believe Mel has crossed a line and they are reacting in frightening ways. Some of the messages talk about punishing him or stopping the film by any means necessary."
While Gibson anticipated debate over the casting choices, the level of venom and violent language has reportedly surprised him. The film, picking up three days after Christ's crucifixion, has also recast other key roles due to the 21-year gap since the original movie. Jaakko Ohtonen stars as Christ, and Mariela Garriga as Mary Magdalene.
Despite the controversy, Gibson was recently seen meeting with a group of local nuns in Rome, taking a break from filming. The film's production continues amidst heightened security and ongoing debate.
Recasting Decisions
The original Passion of the Christ featured Jim Caviezel as Christ and Monica Bellucci as Mary Magdalene. However, due to the significant time difference between the two films, the roles were recast. A source explained that using CGI for de-aging would have been too costly.
New Cast Members
- Jaakko Ohtonen: Christ (known for The Last Kingdom)
- Mariela Garriga: Mary Magdalene (played Marie in Mission)