Finally some good news for conservative Christians!

USA Today spoke with the once (and future) Jesus Christ, actor Jim Caviezel, who gave an update on Mel Gibson's long-gestating Passion of the Christ sequel. Here's what the man had to say:

Gibson has been talking about making a Passion sequel for ages now but it seems like things are ratcheting up and moving forward. The film will follow the story of Jesus's resurrection, of course. Even though it's been 14 years since the original, it'll only take place three days later. But, hey, Caviezel has aged pretty well so that's not too far-fetched.

It has been awhile since the original and I think many of us have forgotten just how big a smash hit Passion was. The thing was an absolute behemoth that dominated the box office for literally months. To many devout Christians, the film was deeply moving and indeed life-changing. People praised it for its realistic telling of Christ's demise and the inspiring life he led. To many non-believers, the movie was gory torture porn that lacked a soul. Like all things related to Jesus, people were divided.

We always knew a sequel would happen but this latest development couldn't have come at a better time. It it happening right as America goes through an unprecedented conservative phase. There is an audience for this film and lately they have been increasingly powerful and increasingly vocal. What's more, religious films have been gaining traction at the box office lately, though most have been low-budget, independent fare. Passion 2 would attract the religious crowd but also open on at least 2,500 screens. 

It also comes at a time when Gibson is trying to rehabilitate his career. The man said and did some awful things and spent a few years on the Hollywood blacklist. But it seems like those days are over and he is being welcomed back into the good graces of the industry. And what better way to really cement his comeback than a blockbuster film that gets the whole nation talking?  Gibson has risen!

I'm not a fan of Passion of the Christ or Mel Gibson so this isn't great news to me. However, I will be excited to see this little fella again: