
Today The Passion still holds the record for highest revenue of any R-rated movie with nearly four hundred million dollars in box office receipts. It's total gross receipts, including DVD sales now is over six hundred million dollars. Not bad for a film cut on a low budget of only thirty million dollars and starring a relatively obscure young actor, Jim Caviezel who played the role of Christ probably as well as any mortal could.
Since that time, Hollywood has wisely produced a number of Christian films that have been very successful. At least they have enough sense to follow the money trail and Christian audiences continually thirst for more in their quest to celebrate their faith openly and honestly. A good movie about the reason for faith is always a good topic for the faithful and now word comes out that a sequel will be coming out at an undetermined future date. Gibson, a master despite his human shortcomings (we all have them) will once again produce the film and Caviezel, now a well established and fine actor, will again play the lead role as Christ. All I can say to that is Hallilujah and I will look forward eagerly to the completion of production.
The first public announcement of the project was recently announced by Caviezel, a man who works well with Gibson, and he claims the movie will be the biggest movie ever produced. And while those in Hollywood will likely pooh-pooh that claim, don't be surprised if it turns out to be. After all, production money will certainly be easier to come by based on the first movie's success and Gibson, back on the straight and narrow after fighting his own internal demons, is a master producer when he is at his best.
Each Easter season I make it a habit to watch "The Passion of the Christ" on DVD as a visual reminder of what I've studied for years in the Bible. And the sequel, which Caviezel promises to be a in depth depiction of "The Resurrection," offers a great addition to my Easter lineup. The Lord truly does work in mysterious ways and there's no reason why He shouldn't use Hollywood of all places to add to His Glory. The message is important because He lives.
h/t to John Nolte, Breitbart News