Jim Caviezel Originally Thought Mel Gibson Wanted Him Playing Jesus On A Surfboard

Before Jim Caviezel became known for portraying Jesus in The Passion of the Christ, his meeting with Mel Gibson’s producer was supposed to be about something entirely different — a surfing movie.

“I came in thinking we were going to talk about a cool surfing film,” Caviezel told Raymond Arroyo on the Arroyo Grande podcast. “The script wasn’t ready, but we were tossing around ideas. Then Mel shows up, and suddenly we’re talking about Jesus.”

Caviezel joked about the bizarre turn, saying, “That’s not a surfing movie. It’s not Jesus on a surfboard. How’s that going to work?” But that moment would change his life. As Gibson began outlining his vision for a film about Christ’s final hours, Caviezel recalled a calling he felt at 19 — that God wanted him to act.

Embracing the role immediately, Caviezel said, “You want me to play Jesus, don’t you?” Gibson, startled, admitted it, and two days later warned Caviezel: “If you do this movie, you may never work in this town again.”

Despite the risks, The Passion of the Christ became a global hit, grossing over $600 million. But Caviezel’s journey was grueling. He suffered double pneumonia, hypothermia, and even got struck by lightning while filming on the cross.

Now preparing for The Resurrection of the Christ due in 2026, Caviezel reflects on that surf meeting as divine intervention. “The world didn’t want this film — and that’s how I know we did something right.”

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Source: Fox News

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