As Jim Caviezel prepares to make his way to Israel in 2019,
and walk the true Via Dolorosa, let us take a look back at the role that set
him apart – and one that he will reprise next year.
The making of the film, The Passion of the Christ,
was so extraordinary and unusual that it has been the subject of countless
articles, books, and even televised Specials. Much of what made the film so
unique is the experiences that lead actor, Jim Caviezel who plays Jesus Christ,
endured while filming the movie. Rather than regret taking the role, or looking
back on his experience with contempt, Jim has widely been known to say the
experience brought him closer to God and his Catholic Faith. Here are some
interesting details about Jim’s experience acting in the highest grossing
Independent film of all time.
1. Gibson offered him the
role, then tried to talk him out of it
Mel Gibson Directed, Produced, and funded the entire film.
When he originally set up a meeting with Caviezel, he said he wanted to discuss
a film about a surfer as a ruse to get Jim to take the meeting. After
presenting the idea of the film about the last hours of Christ’s life, and Jim
accepted the offer, Gibson tried to change his mind.
At the 2018 SEEK Conference, Jim shared; "[Mel] said,
'You'll never work in this town again.” So I told him, 'We all have to embrace
our crosses' … We have to give up our names, our reputations, our lives to
speak the truth."
2. Jim had turned the role
of Jesus down before
Jim was asked to portray Jesus twice before Gibson
approached him – once for a Play, and once for a television Special. Both
times, he immediately knew the roles were not right. When he heard Gibson’s
pitch though, he knew the story would be told in a way he was proud to
represent. He said he knew this version would show “the absolute fullness of
the truth” of what Jesus endured in his last few hours, and that that was the only
way he would ever portray Christ.
3. A headache of a make-up
process
Most days, Jim needed to be on set by 2am to endure hours of
make-up application. Gibson’s vision included making Jesus as realistic as
possible for a man born in that region at that time. Jim wore a prosthetic nose
and brown contacts – they even raised his hairline. For much of the filming, he
wore make up that made it look like his eye was swollen shut, which effected
his depth perception and vision, causing migraines.
4. Jim endured lots of
physical ailments
While filming what has been recognized as one of the most
graphic and violent films ever made, there was no shortage of real injury and
pain – mainly suffered by the lead actor. In keeping with the goal of
authenticity to the horrors suffered by Jesus, Jim was put in very precarious
and potentially dangerous spots. He suffered scratches and bruises from the
chains he wore and even dislocated his shoulder carrying the 150-pound cross,
which was captured on film and kept in the movie. While filming the scene where
Jesus delivers the Sermon on the Mount, Jim and the Assistant Director, Jan
Michelini, both were struck by lightening just minutes apart. This was the
second time Jan was struck during the project.
Jim hung on the cross in below freezing temperatures and
strong wind, which almost caused hypothermia - leading to pneumonia and a lung
infection. During the scourging scene, Jim was accidentally whipped twice by the
two actors portraying Roman soldiers, one of the hits leaving a 14-inch gash in
his back.
5. Through the pain, his
Faith never wavered
During an interview on The Today Show, Jim shared how
challenging making the film was for him. He shared how he turned to prayer when
he was struggling, exhausted, overwhelmed, and doubtful. He said he wasn’t sure
if he was going to be able to handle the pain, or maintain the physical and
emotional endurance needed to complete the film. Jim shared that he needed to
listen to his heart rather than his head to get through the filming process.
As a devout Catholic, Jim felt the process forced him to
become closer to God and his Faith. He said that when he was at his most
doubtful, he turned to prayer;
“It forced me into the arms of God.
That’s the only place I could go. That’s when God’s voice came to me. ‘Hey, don’t
you worry about it. Let me take care of it, and will you allow me to use you to
play?’ And that’s when I just said, All right, I’m going to let you perform,
and I’m going to step out of the way.”
As we mentioned in an
earlier blog post, in January of 2018, Jim confirmed the rumors that he would be
reprising his role as Jesus Christ in Gibson’s upcoming sequel which is said to
follow the three days after Jesus’s death and explore his Resurrection.
In April of 2019, Jim will be joining 206 Tours on a Special
Pilgrimage to the Holy Land in preparation for the role. There are limited
spots available, reserve your spot today!
Labels: 206 Tours, Israel, Jesus, Jim Caviezel, Mel Gibson, Pilgrimage, The Holy Land, The Passion of the Christ
