The sequel to The Passion of the Christ will be “the biggest film in history,” according to Jim Caviezel, who played Jesus in the 2004 blockbuster directed by Mel Gibson. He spoke with USA Today earlier this week about the sequel, which will feature Jesus’ Resurrection. He confirmed that he will reprise his role.

The Passion made $612 million worldwide, even though its production budget was $30 million. It grossed $370.8 million in North America — the highest of any R-rated movie, USA Today noted. 

News of a Passion sequel first broke in 2016, when writer Randall Wallace confirmed to the Hollywood Reporter that he was working on the script. Wallace has worked with Gibson in the past, including on 1995’s Oscar-winning Braveheart.

Wallace told the Reporter the Passion sequel ball got rolling while he and Gibson worked together on Hacksaw Ridge, released in November 2016.

“I always wanted to tell this story,” he said in 2016. “The Passion is the beginning and there’s a lot more story to tell.”

In 2016, Gibson admitted to USA Today that the Resurrection is a “big subject.” 

“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,” he said at the time.

According to Caviezel’s recent interview, Gibson has “cracked” the story. 

“Braveheart, that’s a film that took a long time to be able to crack,” he said. “The same thing for Passion. And the same thing for this. He’s finally got it. So that is coming.” 

The actor said there was a tentative shooting schedule for the sequel, but didn’t say when. Ironically, Caviezel stars as Luke in Paul, Apostle of Christ, coming to theaters this Easter.

Here is the official trailer, just released this week.