Nearly two decades after The Passion of the Christ shocked Hollywood with its box office success and unflinching portrayal of Christ’s final hours, Mel Gibson is back behind the camera — and once again, he’s igniting controversy. This time, the storm isn’t over the film’s graphic content or theological interpretations, but over a casting choice that has ruffled feathers in the heart of conservative Catholic Poland.
Polish-born actress Kasia Smutniak, known in Europe for her outspoken support of abortion rights, has been cast as Mary, the mother of Jesus, in Gibson’s upcoming sequel The Resurrection of the Christ. And for some in her homeland, it’s nothing short of sacrilege.
Smutniak, who lives and works in Italy, is no stranger to the screen. With more than 40 credits to her name and recent acclaim for her lead role in Domina and her directorial debut Walls, she’s a seasoned performer with international credibility. But to many supporters of Poland’s Law and Justice (PiS) party, her activism — particularly her support of Strajk Kobiet, the feminist movement opposing Poland’s strict abortion laws — disqualifies her morally from portraying one of the most revered figures in Catholicism.
Dear Candace Owens @RealCandaceO I’m curious what do you think about this choice?
Kasia Smutniak, polish-italian actrees, was chosen to play Jesus’ Mother in Mel Gibson’s new movie Passion of the Christ. Should someone with such strong left-wing views and supporting for abortion… pic.twitter.com/DSKlWWFKTc— Ypca Nowe Konto🇵🇱🖤🙃♒ (@Ulalala79616) October 19, 2025
Pro-life groups have reportedly begun petitioning Gibson’s production company, Icon Productions, demanding Smutniak’s removal. They cite her visible alignment with protests that featured slogans and imagery that these groups view as deeply antagonistic to Christian values — including the now-iconic red lightning bolt, a symbol of Poland’s reproductive rights movement.
Yet this isn’t Gibson’s first experience navigating faith and controversy. The original Passion drew criticism from both religious and secular quarters — and still went on to gross over $600 million worldwide. Moreover, this is not the first time a cast member in Gibson’s biblical films has supported abortion rights. Monica Bellucci, who played Mary Magdalene in The Passion, is also pro-choice. But because Smutniak is playing Mary, not Magdalene, the symbolic weight of the role is vastly greater for devout Catholics.
Gibson himself is a polarizing figure, celebrated in some conservative corners as a cultural warrior, while being criticized for personal scandals and past statements. His own views on abortion are staunchly anti-choice, and he has expressed opposition to both birth control and secularism in public interviews. That’s why Smutniak’s casting has struck such a nerve: to many, it seems to contradict the deeply traditional values they expect Gibson’s films to uphold.
That contradiction, however, may be more perceived than real. Gibson is first and foremost a filmmaker, not a movement mouthpiece. His decision to recast the entire ensemble — including replacing Jim Caviezel with Finnish actor Jaakko Ohtonen as Jesus — suggests that performance, not political purity, is guiding the choices behind Resurrection.
Still, the protest campaign is picking up steam, with conservative Polish activists even tagging U.S. commentators like Candace Owens in hopes of igniting outrage across the Atlantic. So far, Gibson’s camp has remained silent, with his publicist telling Variety that they were unaware of any formal backlash. Smutniak, for her part, has made no public comment.
