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Polish Conservative Groups Protest Gibson’s Casting of Kasia Smutniak as Mary

Filming continues in Italy, with producers keeping the new lineup in place despite organized objections.

Overview

  • Polish conservative and far‑right Catholic groups have written to Icon Productions objecting to Kasia Smutniak playing the Virgin Mary, citing her support for the Strajk Kobiet movement.
  • Mel Gibson’s publicist, Alan Nierob, told Variety he was not aware of the protest, and Smutniak has not issued a public comment.
  • Shooting on The Resurrection of the Christ began in early October at Rome’s Cinecittà Studios, with additional locations in Matera, Italy.
  • The production has recast principal roles rather than use de‑aging technology, with Jaakko Ohtonen as Jesus and Mariela Garriga as Mary Magdalene alongside Smutniak.
  • Opponents in Poland are attempting to amplify their objections on X by tagging U.S. conservative commentators, while the two‑part release is planned for 2027, with dates reported as March 26 for Part One and May 6 for Part Two.