Mel Gibson has announced that The Resurrection of the Christ Part One will premiere on May 6, 2027. Additionally, his 2012 disaster movie Force of Nature is scheduled to stream for free on the Plex platform beginning September 1, 2026.
The May 6, 2027 shift to avoid Johnny Depp's Day Drinker
The release schedule for The Resurrection of the Christ Part One was recently modified, moving from an original March 26 date to May 6, 2027. According to the report, this adjustment was made specifically to avoid a scheduling conflict with the release of Day Drinker, a project starring Johnny Depp. Industry analysts suggest this move prrovides Mel Gibson a clearer window to capture both the religious demographic and general cinema-goers.
This strategic timing comes as Mel Gibson attempts to navigate the lingering echoes of his 2004 film about the crucifixion. While that previous work earned worldwide acclaim, it was also dogged by accusations of antisemitism and criticism regarding its graphic violence. By securing a distinct release window in 2027, the production team aims to minimize noise and maximize the film's impact as a standalone cinematic event.
Building the largest faith film ever produced
Mel Gibson's team is billing The Resurrection of the Christ Part One as the most ambitious project of his career and the largest faith-based movie ever created for theaters. As reported, the narrative will focus on the events immediately following the crucifixion, aiming to depict the resurrection with a visual scale that exceeds all previous biblical adaptations.
To achieve this scale, the production is relying heavily on practical effects and period-accurate set designs rather than purely digital solutions. the film's auditory experience is also being meticulously crafted, with a soundtrack that blends contemporary orchestration with traditional choral arrangements to reinforce the epic nature of the story.
Plex and the $23 million gamble of Force of Nature
While Gibson looks toward 2027, he is also revisiting a significant financial failure from his past. Force of Nature, a 2012 action thriller directed by Michael Polish and starring Mel Gibson alongside Emile Hirsch and Kate Bosworth, is returning to the digital landscape. Starting September 1, 2026, the film will be available for free on Plex as part of the platform's effort to expand its no-cost movie library.
The financial history of Force of Nature serves as a stark contrast to the ambitions of Gibson's upcoming biblical epic. The disaster film, which follows a storm chaser battling a Category 5 hurricane,reportedly cost $23 million to produce but earned less than half a million dollars during its limited theatrical run. by moving the title to a free-streaming model,Gibson and the rights holders are leaning into the film's modest cult following to find a second life.
A pattern of redemption following the 2004 crucifixion controversy
These dual announcements reflect a broader trend in Mel Gibson's career: a persistent effort to maintain relevance despite decades of public scandals and industry alienation. The move to produce a massive faith-based sequel echoes the trajectory of Braveheart and the original Passion of the Christ, where Gibson used high-intensity, visceral storytelling to cement his status as a director of monumental subjects.
By blending a high-prestige theatrical event with a grassroots, free-to-watch streaming release, Mel Gibson is attempting to appeal to two different audiences simultaneously. One is the traditional, faith-driven cinema crowd, and the other is the modern, digital-first viewer who consumes overlooked cult classics.
Who is funding the most ambitious project of Gibson's career?
Despite the grand claims regarding the scale of The Resurrection of the Christ Part One, several key details remain missing from the current reports.. Specifically, it is unclear which studio is backing the project or what the total budget is for a film billed as the largest of its kind. Furthermore, while the film is titled "Part One," there has been little information provided regarding the timeline or production status of the second installment.
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