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The sequel to Gibson’s 2004 biblical blockbuster has been long-awaited by audiences worldwide, and Ohtonen’s selection to portray Jesus has generated buzz both in Finland and abroad, symbolizing a significant moment for Nordic representation in global cinema.
From Oulu to Hollywood: Who Is Jaakko Ohtonen?
Born in Oulu, Finland in 1989, Jaakko Ohtonen built his career in Finnish theatre and television before making inroads into international projects. A graduate of Tampere University’s acting program, he worked on stage at Tampere’s theatres and gained early TV roles in Finnish series such as Sunnuntailounas and Syke. He also lent his voice as the narrator of Finland’s Big Brother reality show, showcasing his versatility in the entertainment field.
Ohtonen’s on-screen credits in Finland include a part in director Aku Louhimies’s acclaimed war epic The Unknown Soldier (2017) and roles in domestic drama and crime series (Hotel Swan Helsinki, All the Sins). In recent years, he began to appear in international productions: he portrayed a warrior named Wolland in Season 5 of Netflix’s historical drama The Last Kingdom and had a role as Johan in the Viking saga Vikings: Valhalla. In 2025, Ohtonen joined the cast of a Swedish Disney+ period series To Cook a Bear, further expanding his Nordic regional presence on a global streaming platform. This steady rise culminated with the unexpected but career-defining news that he would replace American actor Jim Caviezel in the role of Jesus for Gibson’s new epic.
For many outside Finland, Ohtonen is a fresh face – a fact that industry observers say may work in his favor. Casting a relatively unknown actor in the role of Christ follows a tradition in biblical dramas of avoiding superstar actors for sacred figures, allowing audiences to immerse in the story. Ohtonen’s casting was announced by his talent agency with pride, noting it comes on the heels of Gibson’s original film’s “monumental success” that earned over $610 million worldwide. Finnish media reacted with astonishment at the “almost unbelievable” news; commentators noted that no Finnish actor has ever landed a lead role of this magnitude in a global film before, calling it a true “torille!” moment (a Finnish expression for a nationally celebratory event). Many in Finland are hopeful that this role could catapult Ohtonen to international stardom.
A Sequel Two Decades in the Making
When The Passion of the Christ hit theaters in 2004, it became a cultural phenomenon. Directed by Mel Gibson and filmed entirely in Aramaic, Hebrew, and Latin, the movie vividly depicted the final 12 hours of Jesus’s life and was both praised and critiqued for its unflinching portrayal of violence. The film grossed $610 million globally – an astounding sum for an R-rated, subtitled religious film – and it held the record as the highest-grossing R-rated movie in U.S. box office history for over 20 years. Its global reception proved that faith-based films could attract mainstream audiences on an unprecedented scale, especially among Christian communities worldwide. Ever since, talk of a sequel focusing on the resurrection of Jesus has percolated, fueled by Gibson’s occasional hints and the enduring popularity of the original.
Now, after nearly two decades of speculation, The Resurrection of the Christ is finally in production – a two-part epic that aims to continue the story from where Passion left off. As the title suggests, the sequel will dramatize the events from the immediate aftermath of the crucifixion through the resurrection of Jesus. According to Gibson and co-writer Randall Wallace (who penned Braveheart), the scope of the sequel is ambitious and spiritually complex. Gibson has even described the screenplay as akin to “an acid trip,” indicating that the films may delve into mystical or otherworldly aspects of the resurrection narrative. For the many fans of the original, the sequel’s development has been a long-awaited answer to prayers – and its announcement has generated considerable excitement in faith-based media and Hollywood alike.
New Faces for a New Chapter
Notably, Gibson has chosen to assemble an entirely new cast for The Resurrection of the Christ, rather than bring back the actors from Passion. The sequel’s story is set only three days after the first film’s events, but in real time 20 years have passed – a gap that made returning to the 2004 cast logistically difficult. A source close to the production revealed that the filmmakers initially considered using digital de-aging on Jim Caviezel and others, but ultimately deemed it too costly and impractical, opting instead to recast every principal role. “It made sense to recast the whole film,” the source told Variety, given the challenges of making middle-aged actors appear as they did two decades ago. As a result, Ohtonen will step into the role Caviezel originally made famous, and a new ensemble will bring the biblical figures to life with fresh faces.
The supporting cast announced so far is a truly international lineup. Cuban-born actress Mariela Garriga (seen in Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning) will portray Mary Magdalene, succeeding Monica Bellucci’s performance from the 2004 film. Polish actress Kasia Smutniak (Domina) takes on the role of the Virgin Mary, mother of Jesus, originally played by Maia Morgenstern. Jesus’s apostle Peter will be played by Italian actor Pier Luigi Pasino, and the Roman governor Pontius Pilate by veteran Italian star Riccardo Scamarcio. Even British actor Rupert Everett has been cast in what producers describe as a “small but important role” – underscoring how Gibson’s new vision has attracted talent from across Europe and beyond. This multi-national casting reflects a broader trend in Hollywood epics to use a diverse array of actors to lend authenticity and global appeal. For a Nordic performer like Ohtonen, working alongside such an international cast and crew (with filming underway in Rome’s historic Cinecittà Studios and on location in southern Italy) provides a high-profile platform to showcase Finland’s acting talent on the world stage.
Nordic Visibility in Hollywood Blockbusters
Ohtonen’s casting is being celebrated not just as a personal achievement but as a milestone for Finnish and Nordic actors in Hollywood. In the last decade, international audiences have grown familiar with a wave of Nordic actors in major film and TV franchises – from Sweden’s Alexander Skarsgård and Alicia Vikander to Denmark’s Mads Mikkelsen and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau – who have all become household names. Finland, however, has had relatively few actors break into big roles in U.S. productions. A handful of Finnish performers have appeared in Hollywood films over the years, but usually in minor supporting parts or niche projects. For instance, Taina Elg, a Finnish actress, found success in 1950s Hollywood musicals, and more recently Jasper Pääkkönen made an impression in the TV series Vikings and a Spike Lee film (BlacKkKlansman). Other Finnish actors like Samuli Edelmann (who had a small role in Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol), or Peter Franzén and Laura Birn (who have supporting roles in international TV series like Vikings and Apple TV’s Foundation) have dipped their toes in global productions. Yet none of these roles positioned a Finnish actor as the lead protagonist of a major studio-backed motion picture intended for worldwide theatrical release.
In this context, Ohtonen’s leap to portraying Jesus – a figure recognized across cultures – in a big-budget film is unprecedented for a Finn. Finnish film journalist Anton Vanha-Majamaa noted that “no Finnish actor has ever gotten a role this large” in international cinema, emphasizing that the two-part production will essentially be built around Ohtonen’s performance as the central figure. His success could herald greater interest in Nordic talent from casting directors and producers in Hollywood, especially as streaming services and global franchises continue to blur international borders in entertainment. The Nordic countries have long punched above their weight in creative fields, and now actors from the region are increasingly visible in blockbuster films and prestige TV. Ohtonen’s casting underscores that trend and may inspire more Finnish and Baltic actors to pursue opportunities on the world stage, knowing that even roles of biblical proportions are within reach.
A Production Under Watchful Eyes
Industry insiders are keenly watching how The Resurrection of the Christ develops, both for its box-office prospects and what it might do for Mel Gibson’s directorial legacy. Gibson, an Oscar-winning filmmaker, has seen his career oscillate dramatically in the years since Passion – from public controversies that tarnished his reputation, to a modest comeback with 2016’s Hacksaw Ridge. Now, with filming of the Resurrection sequel underway as of October 2025 in Italy, Gibson is once again in the spotlight. The film is being produced under Gibson’s Icon Productions with Lionsgate signed on to distribute, signaling that Hollywood studios anticipate significant audience interest. The project’s scale is considerable: it will be released as two separate feature films, with The Resurrection of the Christ: Part One slated to open on Good Friday in March 2027 and Part Two planned for release 40 days later on Ascension Day in May 2027. These dates underscore the films’ appeal to faith-based audiences, aligning with the Christian liturgical calendar for maximum resonance.
For Jaakko Ohtonen, the coming year will be transformative. Stepping into the role of Jesus Christ — especially as a relatively unknown actor taking over from Jim Caviezel, whose portrayal is still vivid in the minds of millions — is both a tremendous opportunity and a heavy responsibility. The industry reception to Ohtonen’s casting has been generally positive, noting his strong work in The Last Kingdom and the fresh energy he could bring to the part. Some commentators in faith circles have curiously noted that little is publicly known about Ohtonen’s personal religious views, an intriguing footnote given the spiritual weight of the role. However, those involved in the production seem confident that they have found the right performer for the job. By all accounts, Gibson’s team deliberately sought an actor who could physically and emotionally embody the role without the baggage of star persona, and Ohtonen fit the bill after an extensive search. If the sequel matches even a fraction of its predecessor’s impact, Ohtonen could find himself vaulted into international fame.
A Nordic Star on the Rise
As Nordic and Baltic expats in North America watch this story unfold, there’s a palpable sense of pride in seeing one of their own cast in a role of such universal significance. The choice of Jaakko Ohtonen to play Jesus in The Resurrection of the Christ not only highlights the global reach of talent from Finland, but it also reflects the changing landscape of Hollywood casting – one that increasingly embraces international actors for iconic roles. The next couple of years will be crucial as Ohtonen works under Gibson’s direction to bring the story of the resurrection to life. For the Nordic community abroad, his journey from Oulu to Hollywood is more than just a personal triumph; it’s a sign of growing visibility on the world stage. When The Resurrection of the Christ hits theaters in 2027, audiences worldwide – including Nordic diaspora viewers – will see a Finnish actor leading a major American film, an inspiring first that underscores the rich contribution of Nordic talent to global storytelling. And as the credits roll, many will be hoping that this resurrection story marks the rise of a new Nordic star in Hollywood’s firmament.
