New 'Passion of the Christ' will be 'the biggest film in history,' Jim Caviezel promises

Bryan Alexander | USA TODAY

Show Caption Hide Caption Exclusive trailer: 'Paul, Apostle of Christ' James Faulkner is Paul and Jim Caviezel is Luke in "Paul, Apostle of Christ."

Jim Caviezel is very much on board with director Mel Gibson's plan to shoot a sequel to The Passion of the Christ.

Caviezel, 49, confirmed he will reprise his role as Jesus in the planned film about the resurrection of Christ. "There are things that I cannot say that will shock the audience," he says. "It's great. Stay tuned."

More: See Jim Caviezel as Luke in exclusive trailer for 'Paul, Apostle of Christ'

Earlier: Mel Gibson readying return to his 'Passion' project

Gibson and his star have been tight-lipped on details of how the new film will move forward. But the actor says he's been inspired in his talks with Gibson by the direction the project is taking.

"I won’t tell you how he’s going to go about it," Caviezel says. "But I’ll tell you this much: The film he’s going to do is going to be the biggest film in history. It’s that good."

It's a prediction that could prove true. 2004's The Passion of the Christ, which Gibson directed, co-wrote and produced, was a major milestone in faith-based filmmaking, earning more than $611 million worldwide on a $30 million budget.

It's the highest-grossing R-rated film ever in North America with $370.8 million.

The original followed the last 12 hours of Christ's life as portrayed by Caviezel. The actor hasn't returned to biblical films until this year. He's playing Luke in Paul, Apostle of Christ (in theaters now) alongside James Faulkner's Paul.

USA TODAY had the exclusive premiere of the full trailer for Paul.

Gibson talked about his plans for the Passion follow to USA TODAY in 2016.

“The Resurrection. Big subject. Oh, my God," he said. "We’re trying to craft this in a way that’s cinematically compelling and enlightening so that it shines new light, if possible, without creating some weird thing.”

Caviezel says the Oscar-winning director has "cracked" that story and they have tentatively scheduled a shooting window (which he declined to disclose).

"Braveheart, that’s a film that took a long time to be able to crack," Caviezel says. "The same thing for Passion. And the same thing for this. He’s finally got it. So that is coming."