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Jim Caviezel Recounts Mel Gibson’s Warning About ‘Passion of the Christ’ Role
Actor Jim Caviezel revealed that director Mel Gibson cautioned him about the potential career repercussions of portraying Jesus in “The Passion of the Christ.” According to Caviezel, now 56, Gibson suggested the role could negatively impact his future employment prospects in Hollywood.
The Initial Meeting and a Surprising Turn
Caviezel explained that his initial meeting with Gibson’s producer, Steve McEveety, was concerning a surfing film project. However, he noted that “the script wasn’t there yet.”
Approximately forty minutes into their discussion, Gibson joined the meeting, and the conversation took an unexpected direction.
“We were initially discussing surfing movies,” Caviezel recounted in an interview with Fox News contributor Raymond Arroyo on the “Arroyo Grande” podcast, “and then it transitioned into movies about Christ, Jesus films. I thought to myself, ‘This isn’t a surfing movie. It’s not about Jesus on a surfboard. How is this going to work?’”
Divine Calling and Gibson’s Hesitation
Caviezel shared a personal anecdote from his youth, recalling a moment at age 19 when he believed he heard a divine voice urging him to pursue acting.
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Reflecting on the meeting with Gibson, Caviezel said, “I thought, ‘This is it.’ I wasn’t being irreverent, but I literally thought, ‘This is it,’ and I asked Gibson, ‘You want me to portray Jesus, don’t you?’”
He described Gibson’s surprised reaction, saying he nearly choked on his cigarette and managed to respond affirmatively, “Yeah.”
“I immediately replied, ‘OK, I’m committed,’” Caviezel stated, referencing a past personal experience that solidified his conviction. “I felt destined to undertake this role. No further persuasion was needed.”
Two days later, Gibson contacted him again, reiterating his warning.
“He asked, ‘Are you absolutely certain you want to do this?’” Caviezel remembered. “He then stated, ‘If you proceed with this film, you might never secure work in this town again.’ My reaction was simply, ‘What?’”
Caviezel clarified his motivation, “My aim was to depict the true events, and I accepted the potential consequences.”
Spiritual and Physical Trials During Filming
During the production of the movie, Caviezel disclosed that he practiced daily confession to “maintain spiritual purity, allowing divine presence.”
He also endured significant physical hardship while filming, including bouts of double pneumonia, hypothermia, a dislocated shoulder, and a lightning strike while filming the crucifixion scene.
“The agony was intense,” he recalled of his time on the cross. He added that during the final crucifixion scene, “I was essentially split in two by the lightning bolt.”
He further revealed experiencing atrial fibrillation while on the cross. A medical professional on set, after examining his heart, reportedly told Gibson, “He could die.”
Following the film’s completion, Caviezel underwent two cardiac surgeries, which he believes were a direct result of the physical trauma experienced during filming.
The cross was equipped with a bicycle seat for support, and Caviezel admitted to falling asleep while suspended due to extreme exhaustion.
“I was unable to stay awake,” he stated, emphasizing the grueling nature of the shoot.
He even slept in the elaborate makeup, which required approximately eight hours to apply daily.
“It was constant suffering,” he said, suggesting that this hardship deepened his connection to Jesus’s pain.
Approaching the crucifixion scenes, he expressed doubt about his physical ability to continue due to his shoulder injury.
“It compelled me to rely entirely on my faith,” he told Arroyo, “because I had nowhere else to turn.”
However, he found strength, stating, “Once I understood the extent of divine love, I was motivated to endure it for Him.”
“Ultimately, it was acceptable, as it aligned with my intended purpose in life,” he added.
He further commented on the film’s global impact, stating, “Films shape global narratives, and the negative reception to this film by some is, paradoxically, confirmation of its effectiveness, indicating we succeeded in our aim.”
Return to the Role in “Resurrection of the Christ”
Caviezel is preparing to reprise his role as Jesus in the upcoming sequel, “The Resurrection of the Christ.” While acknowledging feeling apprehension about the role, he considers a degree of fear necessary for preparedness.
“The Passion of the Christ” Legacy and Sequel
Gibson personally invested millions in the 2004 film “The Passion of the Christ,” which became a monumental financial triumph, earning over $600 million globally.
According to the Guinness Book of World Records, it stands as the highest-grossing religious film in cinematic history.
“The Resurrection of the Christ” is currently anticipated for release in 2026.