He’s one of Hollywood’s most recognisable faces, and on Sunday Mel Gibson stole the spotlight in Rome.
The Mad Max legend, 69, was spotted at the Olympic Stadium for the Serie A clash between AS Roma and Hellas Verona, where he was photographed pulling a series of animated expressions.
The actor looked wide-eyed and open-mouthed, reaching his hand towards the camera in a dramatic gesture.
In another, he sported a serious expression as he clutched his phone and cap, while later flashing a huge grin and giving a thumbs-up to fellow fans.
Gibson kept his look casual but sharp for the outing, donning a crisp white button-up shirt left slightly open at the collar.
He accessorised with tinted aviator-style glasses tucked into his shirt, a leather bracelet, and a thin chain around his neck.
He’s one of Hollywood’s most recognisable faces, and on Sunday Mel Gibson stole the spotlight in Rome
The Mad Max legend, 69, was spotted at the Olympic Stadium for the Serie A clash between AS Roma and Hellas Verona, where he was photographed pulling a series of animated expressions
His silver beard was neatly groomed, completing his rugged appearance.
The Hollywood veteran was seen mingling with fans wearing AS Roma scarves, soaking up the pre-match atmosphere before kick-off.
Gibson is preparing to begin filming The Resurrection Of The Christ, which is the long-awaited sequel to the 2004 movie The Passion Of The Christ.
Upon the controversial film’s initial release, it was met with mixed reviews but was a box office success and brought in around $612 million globally.
The Oscar-nominated project also became the highest-grossing independent film of all time as well as highest-grossing Christian film of all time.
Jim Caviezel is set to reprise his role as Jesus Christ, with Maia Morgenstern returning as Jesus’ mother Mary and Francesco De Vito as Peter.
Plot details have remained under wraps, with Mel set to both co-write the script and also direct.
In March, it was reported that production will officially begin next month in August with Cinecitta Studios in Rome, per Variety.
The actor looked wide-eyed and open-mouthed, reaching his hand towards the camera in a dramatic gesture
In another, he sported a serious expression as he clutched his phone and cap, while later flashing a huge grin and giving a thumbs-up to fellow fans
Scenes are slated to be shot in the southern Italian town of Madera as well as other locations such as Ginosa and Altamura.
A few months earlier in May, it was announced that Lionsgate will distribute the sequel worldwide, per The Hollywood Reporter.
Lionsgate Motion Picture Group chair Adam Fogelson said in a statement: ‘For many, many people across the globe, The Resurrection Of The Christ is the most anticipated theatrical event in a generation.
‘It is also an awe-inspiring and spectacularly epic theatrical film that is going to leave moviegoers worldwide breathless.’
He added, ‘Mel is one of the greatest directors of our time, and this project is both deeply personal to him and the perfect showcase for his talents as a filmmaker.
‘My relationship with Mel and Bruce dates back 30 years, and I am thrilled to be partnering with them once again on this landmark event for audiences,’ Adam said, referencing Gibson’s Icon Productions partner Bruce Davey.
Gibson also shared, ‘Lionsgate’s brave, innovative spirit and nimble, can-do attitude have inspired me for a long time, and I couldn’t think of a more perfect distributor for The Resurrection Of The Christ.
‘I’ve enjoyed working with Adam and the team several times over recent years. I know the clever ingenuity, passion, and ambition the entire team commits to their projects and I’m confident they will bring everything they can to the release of this movie.’
The actor was seen with Orthodox monks and additionally spent some of his time there in solitude and reflection, according to To Vima – a Greek weekly newspaper
Jim Caviezel (seen above) is set to reprise his role as Jesus Christ, with Maia Morgenstern returning as Jesus’ mother Mary and Francesco De Vito as Peter
Mel also opened up about the project during an appearance on the Joe Rogan Experience earlier this year.
He stated that the upcoming movie is ‘very ambitious’ and said the premise will follow, ‘the fall of the angels to the death of the last apostle.’
Gibson continued, ‘I think in order to really tell the story properly you have to really start with the fall of the angels, which means you’re in another place, you’re in another realm. You need to go to hell. You need to go to Sheol.’
The star further expressed, ‘It’s about finding the way in that’s not cheesy or too obvious.
‘I think I have ideas about how to do that and how to evoke things and emotions in people from the way you depict it and the way you shoot it. So I’ve been thinking about it for a long time.’
Mel admitted that tackling the film is ‘not going to be easy, and it’s going to require a lot of planning and I’m not wholly sure I can pull it off.
He stated that the upcoming movie is ‘very ambitious’ and said the premise will follow, ‘the fall of the angels to the death of the last apostle’; seen in 2024 in L.A.
‘To tell you the truth, it’s super ambitious. But I’ll take a crack at it because that’s what you’ve got to do, right, walk up to the plate, right?’
And while talking to the National Catholic Register in 2022, he stated that the movie is ‘not a linear narrative,’ per Variety.
Gibson explained, ‘You have to juxtapose the central event that I’m trying to tell with everything else around it in the future, in the past and in other realms, and that’s kind of getting a little sci-fi out there.
‘I think in order to really tell the story properly you have to really start with the fall of the angels, which means you’re in another place, you’re in another realm. You need to go to hell.’
