THE PASSION OF CHRIST:
“Mel Gibson warned Jim Caviezel that the character was going to be very difficult and that if he accepted, he could be marginalized in Hollywood. Caviezel asked for a day to think about it and his response was: “I think we have to do it, even if it is difficult. And one more thing my initials are J.C. and I’m 33 years old. I didn’t realize that until now.”
Mel responded with a candid, “You’re scaring me.”
During filming, Jim Caviezel (who plays Jesus) lost 45 pounds, was struck by lightning, accidentally whipped twice, leaving a 14-inch scar, dislocated his shoulder and suffered pneumonia and hypothermia from standing almost naked on a cross for several hours outdoors.
His body was so stressed and exhausted from playing the role that he had to undergo 2 open heart surgeries after the production. Just the crucifixion scene took 5 weeks out of 2 months of shooting.
“I don’t want people to see me. I just want them to see Jesus. Conversions will happen through that.”
Pedro Sarubbi, who played Barrabas, felt it wasn’t Caviezel who was looking at him, but Jesus Christ Himself. “His eyes had no hatred or resentment toward me, only mercy and love.”
Luca Lionello, the artist who played Judas, was a declared atheist before filming began. Eventually he converted, confessed and baptized his children.
One of the main technicians who was Muslim also converted to Christianity.
Some producers said they saw people in white giving advice, but when they finished filming they never returned.
The Passion of the Christ is an R-rated US film and U.S. highest box office of all time, with $370.8 million! Globally, it raised $611 million. More importantly, it has reached many souls from all over the world. Mel Gibson paid $30 million out of his own pocket for the production because no studio would accept the project.
Jim Caviezel proudly proclaims his faith in Christ in the midst of Hollywood evil. Although Caviezel is a devout Catholic, his role in the Passion of the Christ has enabled him to minister in churches from many denominations.