Actor Jim Caviezel famously starred in Mel Gibson’s controversial biblical drama, The Passion of the Christ, which he believed ended his Hollywood career. Although he appeared in several well-known projects, such as The Thin Red Line, Frequency, and The Count of Monte Cristo, Caviezel’s name seemed to have faded through the years.
The actor’s departure from the entertainment business was due to several factors, but mainly because Hollywood rejected him. He still appeared in small indie films, but it seems his star has dimmed ever since taking on the role of Jesus Christ.
Jim Caviezel Risked His Career To Play Mel Gibson’s Jesus Christ
Mel Gibson’s 2004 version of The Passion of the Christ caused a seismic change in Jim Caviezel’s career. After the director offered the role to the actor, he quickly begged him to refuse it. Caviezel shared (via The Guardian):
“He said, ‘You’ll never work in this town again.’ I told him, ‘We all have to embrace our crosses. Jesus is as controversial now as he has ever been. Not much has changed in 2,000 years.’”
The Outlander actor, a passionate Christian, relayed to the people of the First Baptist Church of Orlando that he had accepted his career was over, yet the pay was worth the price. Caviezel cared little for awards and recognitions, and was more than willing enough to star in Gibson’s rendition of Jesus Christ’s story:
“We have to give up our names, our reputations, our lives to speak the truth.”
After collaborating, Gibson and Caviezel have fallen out, and their working relationship turned bitter. The movie was peppered with controversy, with some sections calling the devoted Christian an anti-Semite.
Gibson’s career was even more on the verge of trouble after a video spread online with the filmmaker shouting and cursing out the mother of his youngest child. Since Caviezel’s reputation has been tarnished ever since the release of the film, he neither cared anymore about Gibson nor came to his defense:
“He’s a horrible sinner, isn’t he? Mel Gibson doesn’t need your judgment, he needs your prayers.”
The Passion of the Christ was a worldwide success, garnering over $612 million at the box office. It attracted a lot of religious viewers, but it was also heavily criticized for promoting antisemitism. Despite the controversy, Gibson remains one of the most influential filmmakers of today. Unfortunately, Caviezel lost his career’s spark.
Mel Gibson Shares Update On Upcoming Resurrection Film
After a long break from Hollywood, Jim Caviezel’s career seemingly received a resurrection. In an interview with USA Today, the actor confirmed he will be starring in the planned sequel of The Passion of the Christ, which is slated for a February 2024 initial release:
“There are things that I cannot say that will shock the audience. It’s great. Stay tuned. I won’t tell you how he’s going to go about it, but I’ll tell you this much: The film he’s going to do is going to be the biggest film in history. It’s that good.”
Mel Gibson, who has since buried the hatchet with Caviezel, also shared his plans for the upcoming film:
“The Resurrection. Big subject. Oh, my God. We’re trying to craft this in a way that’s cinematically compelling and enlightening so that it shines new light, if possible, without creating some weird thing.”
Meanwhile, Caviezel recently starred in the 2023 action film Sound of Freedom, which is now showing in select theaters. The Passion of the Christ is available on Prime Video and Apple TV.
Sources: The Guardian, USA Today
