Caviezel Recalls Gibson’s Career Warning Before ‘Passion’: ‘You May Never Work Again’
LOS ANGELES — Nearly two decades after portraying Jesus Christ in Mel Gibson’s controversial blockbuster, “The Passion of the Christ,” actor Jim Caviezel revealed the stark warning he received from Gibson before accepting the role.
In a recent interview on the “Arroyo Grande” podcast, Caviezel recounted his initial meeting with Gibson and producer Steve McEveety. The conversation, which began with discussions about a potential surfing movie, took an unexpected turn.
“We were talking about surfing movies and everything, and then it pivots into Christ movies, you know, Jesus movies. Well, that’s not a surfing movie. It’s not Jesus on a surfboard. How’s that going to work?” Caviezel recalled.
He said he connected the moment to a visceral, long-held desire.
“I went, ‘oh my God,’ I mean, I’m not blaspheming God, I’m not taking his name in vain,” he said about the meeting with Gibson. “I literally said, ‘Oh my God, this is it,’ and I said, ‘You want me to play Jesus, don’t you?”
Gibson, according to Caviezel, nearly choked on his cigarette and responded with a terse “yeah.”
“And I said,‘OK,I’m in,’ and as of the movie theater [incident],I said,‘I’m supposed to do this. I don’t need anybody to tell me to do this,’” Caviezel added.
Though, the offer came with a cautionary tale. Two days later, Gibson telephoned Caviezel. “He goes, ‘You really want to do this?’ He goes, ‘If you do this movie, you may never work in this town again,’ and I went, ‘What?’”
Caviezel, then a rising star, understood the potential consequences.Yet, his conviction remained unshaken. “What I wanted to make was what really happened, so I was OK with that,” he said.
The production of “The Passion of the Christ” proved to be a physically and emotionally grueling experience for Caviezel. He described going to confession every day to “keep my temple as pure as I can so that he could come thru me.” He endured double pneumonia,hypothermia,a separated shoulder,and even being struck by lightning while filming the crucifixion scene.
“The pain was excruciating,” he said of his time on the cross, adding that in the last shot in the movie, “I got ripped right in half from that lightning bolt.”
The actor revealed he suffered atrial fibrillation during the crucifixion scenes and that a set doctor, upon examining him, told gibson, “He could die.”
Caviezel underwent two heart surgeries after the shoot, which he attributes to the physical strain of the role. Despite the hardships, he maintained a sense of purpose.
“It was constant torment,” he said, adding that he felt that brought him closer to the suffering of Jesus. “It forced me into the arms of my God as I had nowhere else to go,” he told Arroyo. “It was OK though, because it was part of the purpose of why I was born,” he added.
The film’s graphic depiction of the crucifixion polarized audiences and critics alike, sparking intense debates about its historical accuracy, religious interpretations, and potential for anti-Semitism. Some critics argued that the film’s excessive violence detracted from its spiritual message, while others praised its powerful portrayal of christ’s suffering.
Despite the controversy,”The Passion of the Christ” resonated deeply with many viewers,especially within the Christian community. Its success underscored the enduring appeal of religious themes in cinema and the potential for faith-based films to reach a wide audience.
Some industry analysts suggest that Gibson’s warning to Caviezel came true, pointing to a perceived decline in the actor’s mainstream roles following “The Passion.” Though, Caviezel has continued to work steadily, appearing in films such as “Déjà Vu,” “The Stoning of Soraya M.,” and the television series “Person of Interest.”
He maintained faith is notable to the film industry at large. “The films that we make are controlling the world’s narrative, and the world didn’t like this film, and that’s a good thing, so we did a good job.”
Caviezel is now preparing to reprise his role as Jesus in “The Resurrection of the Christ,” slated for release in 2026. “The Resurrection of the Christ” is expected to explore the events following Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection.
While acknowledging his apprehension about revisiting the role,Caviezel said,”I’m sacred” to take on the role again,he said he knows he wouldn’t be ready if ther wasn’t some fear.”
Gibson invested tens of millions of his own money into 2004’s “The Passion of the Christ,” and the film was a huge success, grossing more than $600 million worldwide.
It is indeed the highest-grossing religious film at the global box office, according to the guinness Book of World Records.
FAQ: ‘The Passion of the Christ’ and ‘The Resurrection of the Christ’
How historically accurate is “The Passion of the Christ”?
“The Passion of the Christ” draws heavily from the Gospels but also incorporates elements from other religious texts and traditions. historical accuracy remains a subject of debate among scholars. What is “The Resurrection of the Christ” about?
“The Resurrection of the Christ” is expected to depict the events surrounding Jesus’ resurrection, including his appearances to his disciples and the establishment of the early Christian church.
When is “The Resurrection of the Christ” scheduled to be released?
“The Resurrection of the Christ” is currently slated for release in 2026. Was jim Caviezel actually struck by lightning during filming?
Yes, according to Caviezel, he was struck by lightning while filming the crucifixion scene in “The Passion of the Christ.”
* what impact did the role have on Jim Caviezel’s career?
While Caviezel continued to work after “the Passion of the Christ,” some believe the role limited his opportunities in mainstream Hollywood. He will reprise the role in the forthcoming “The Resurrection of the Christ.”
Here are some PAA related questions you could ask:
Interview: Jim Caviezel’s Jesus: A Conversation with Film Critic, eleanor Vance
LOS ANGELES, CA – Archyde News sat down with esteemed film critic Eleanor Vance to discuss Jim Caviezel’s experiences portraying Jesus Christ in Mel Gibson’s controversial film, “The Passion of the Christ,” and the upcoming sequel, “The Resurrection of the Christ.” Vance is renowned for her insightful commentary on religious themes in cinema.
The Price of Passion: Caviezel’s Career Perspective
Archyde: Eleanor, thank you for joining us. “The Passion of the christ” remains a pivotal film. What’s your assessment of Jim Caviezel’s performance in 2004’s The Passion?
Eleanor Vance: Thank you for having me. Caviezel’s portrayal was, without a doubt, powerful. he completely immersed himself in the role, conveying immense suffering and spiritual depth. You can see his commitment to the film and how that changed him. His physicality spoke volumes, especially considering the intense physical challenges he endured during filming.
Archyde: Mel Gibson reportedly warned Caviezel that the role might impact his career. Do you think this warning proved accurate?
Eleanor Vance: There’s a case to be made that it did. Hollywood, at least initially, seemed hesitant to cast him in other major roles. However, caviezel continued to work steadily. I believe, he maintained his faith and found other projects like “Person of Interest.”
The Resurrection: Diving Back Into the Role
Archyde: “The Resurrection of the Christ” is on the horizon. What are your expectations for the sequel?
Eleanor Vance: “The Resurrection” presents a fascinating challenge.The resurrection is the cornerstone of Christian faith. We’re eager to see how Gibson, and Caviezel portray the events, especially as audiences have a love and expectation of the actor in that specific role.The anticipation is high, especially given the film’s past context. .
Archyde: Caviezel himself has expressed fear about returning to the role.What does this suggest to you?
Eleanor Vance: It speaks to the weight of the character. He knows the importance of portraying the role of Jesus, and the responsibility it carries. It suggests a deep respect for the subject matter. It’s good to see such seriousness from any actor, especially an actor returning to a role that holds such meaning.
Looking Ahead and Audience Expectations
Archyde: how do faith-based films impact the industry, and do the film’s impact on the industry matter.
Eleanor Vance: They’re already having a profound impact, with faith-based films finding huge success. These films are controlling the narrative of the world.Caviezel’s role continues to speak to how faith based films influence what the audience believes.
Archyde: Caviezel’s role during the original filming included many harsh events.What can the audience expect in this new role?
Eleanor Vance: They can expect to dive back deep into the faith, and they should expect powerful scenes. The original film was groundbreaking. The new film is expected to be very moving considering the return.
Archyde: Considering the original film’s impact, what do you hope “The Resurrection of the Christ” achieves?
Eleanor vance: I hope it encourages conversation and reflection, no matter your belief system. It’s an opportunity to explore one of history’s most critically important stories. I think the film’s success will allow religious discussions to continue in cinema and amongst the public.
This concludes the interview. Thank you, Eleanor, for your time and expertise.
