On Wednesday, Gibson, 69, was seen walking through the streets of Rome in casual attire, which included denim blue jeans, a dark navy polo shirt, and white Crocs. Accompanied by two friars, the trio stopped at a local gelateria, conversed at the counter, and exited with small cups of gelato. Gibson carried a pair of sunglasses in his arms during the outing and was seen smiling when fans recognized him on the street.

Evening Out in Rome Before Film Production

Following their dessert stop, Gibson and his companions continued to Settimio All'Arancio, a well-known restaurant in the city. The group was also seen taking a nighttime stroll through the bustling streets of Rome, blending in with locals and tourists out for the evening. It was a rare public appearance for Gibson, who has mostly kept a low profile during the pre-production phase of his next film.

The timing of the outing comes just after Gibson spent several days at Hilandar Monastery on Mount Athos in Greece. The monastery, founded in 1198, is part of a network of 20 religious centers on the Holy Mount, reserved for Orthodox Christian practices. Monks at Hilandar live a highly disciplined life, dividing their time equally among worship, contemplation, physical labor, and rest.

According to the monastery’s website, daily services begin before dawn, typically starting between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m. Gibson reportedly joined the monks in their routine, spending time in solitude and prayer. During his stay, he told the Orthodox monks, “I’ve never felt such a strong connection with God anywhere else as I do here,” as reported by To Vima.

Upcoming Sequel to Religious Blockbuster

Gibson’s visit to Greece and his quiet evenings in Italy appear to be part of his preparation for directing and co-writing The Resurrection of the Christ. The movie is the sequel to his 2004 film The Passion of the Christ, which became the highest-grossing independent and Christian film in history, earning around $612 million globally. Principal photography is set to begin in August at Cinecittà Studios in Rome, one of the oldest film studios in Europe.

Actor Jim Caviezel will reprise his role as Jesus Christ, with Maia Morgenstern returning as Mary and Francesco De Vito as Peter. Additional filming will take place in several towns in southern Italy, including Madera, Ginosa, and Altamura. Lionsgate will distribute the film worldwide, according to information released in May.

In a previous interview with the National Catholic Register, Gibson revealed that the film will not follow a straight chronological storyline. He said the narrative would juxtapose past, future, and metaphysical events alongside the resurrection itself, suggesting influences that lean into spiritual and even science fiction elements.

Inside Gibson’s Vision and Challenges for the Sequel

Speaking on the Joe Rogan Experience podcast, Gibson summarized the complexity of the film, describing it as “super ambitious.” He said the story begins with the fall of the angels and continues to the death of the last apostle, encompassing multiple realms, including hell and Sheol. “I think to tell the story properly, you have to start with the fall of the angels, which means you're in another place, you're in another realm,” he said during the interview.

Gibson emphasized that portraying these events effectively will be difficult. “It’s not going to be easy, and it’s going to require a lot of planning, and I’m not wholly sure I can pull it off,” he admitted. Despite these concerns, he said he feels compelled to take on the task, adding, “But I’ll take a crack at it because that’s what you’ve got to do, right, walk up to the plate, right?”

Lionsgate Motion Picture Group Chair Adam Fogelson has expressed enthusiasm for the project. He described it as “an awe-inspiring and spectacularly epic theatrical film” that he believes will leave audiences around the world “breathless.” Fogelson also praised Gibson for his direction, calling him “one of the greatest directors of our time.”

Relationship Between Gibson and Lionsgate

Gibson’s relationship with Lionsgate runs deep. Fogelson noted that his connection with Gibson and fellow producer Bruce Davey dates back three decades. “I am thrilled to be partnering with them once again on this landmark event for audiences,” he said in an earlier statement.

In return, Gibson commended Lionsgate’s ability to support bold filmmaking. “Lionsgate’s brave, innovative spirit and nimble, can-do attitude have inspired me for a long time,” Gibson said. “I couldn’t think of a more perfect distributor for The Resurrection of the Christ.”

Gibson added that working with Fogelson and his team has always been a rewarding experience. He noted their “clever ingenuity, passion, and ambition” and conveyed confidence that they will fully commit themselves to the success of this ambitious spiritual sequel.