The towns of Pisticci and Craco, in the province of Matera, Basilicata, have been confirmed among the sets of the new film The Resurrection of Christ, directed by Mel Gibson. The news comes via communication spread by the city of Pisticci’s social profiles, signaling the return of the Lucanian badlands area to the center of an international film production. The project represents the sequel to The Passion of the Christ (2004), a film that recounted the last stages of Jesus of Nazareth’s life, from the passion to the crucifixion. The new production thus picks up the narrative with a specific focus on the phase following the events narrated in the previous feature film.
Gibson’s new film fits within a production framework that saw several phases of work spread between 2025 and 2026. The filming, in fact, was not limited to Basilicata: some sequences would also take place between Rome and Anzio, as reported by Rai News, while further production activities involve Gravina (where the set is subjected, even today, to reinforced security measures), Ginosa (Taranto) and the oasis of Torre Guaceto (Brindisi), in Puglia.
The Pisticci badlands area, characterized by clay formations shaped over time, is distinguished by a landscape defined as lunar, capable of evoking contexts outside of time. These characteristics contributed to the choice of the production, which identified the Lucanian territory as a suitable visual context for depicting settings of strong symbolic and narrative impact. Craco (already known for its abandoned historic center and for previous film experiences) is also among the selected locations, confirming the continuity of an interest by the international audiovisual industry in these places. The combination of land morphology and historical stratification is a recurring element in production choices related to films with historical or religious settings.
The film is scheduled for distribution in two parts, with release announced for 2027. A choice that fits into the recent trend of major international productions to divide long or complex narratives into multiple chapters, while maintaining a unified story structure.
For The Passion of the Christ, the filming of the exteriors had focused mainly in Basilicata, with a major presence in the towns of Matera and Craco Vecchia. The interiors, on the other hand, had been shot in the Cinecittà studios in Rome.
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| Mel Gibson returns to Italy: Pisticci and Craco (Matera), set of The Resurrection of Christ |
The author of this article: Noemi Capoccia
Originaria di Lecce, classe 1995, ha conseguito la laurea presso l'Accademia di Belle Arti di Carrara nel 2021. Le sue passioni sono l'arte antica e l'archeologia. Dal 2024 lavora in Finestre sull'Arte.Warning: the translation into English of the original Italian article was created using automatic tools. We undertake to review all articles, but we do not guarantee the total absence of inaccuracies in the translation due to the program. You can find the original by clicking on the ITA button. If you find any mistake,please contact us.
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