In the 2004 original, Italian star Monica Bellucci played Mary Magdalene, while Romanian actress Maia Morgenstern portrayed Mary, the mother of Jesus.
Born in Piła, a town in western Poland, Katarzyna Smutniak is sometimes referred to as the “Polish Monica Bellucci” for her striking screen presence. She is also a well-known advocate for women’s rights.
Polish “Monica Bellucci” fights for women’s rights in restrictive Poland
It is no secret that Smutniak has publicly supported abortion rights in Poland, criticising the country’s restrictive laws as endangering women’s choices.
Her activism has drawn criticism from conservative and far-right groups, who argue that her views clash with portraying such a sacred role.
Polish media report that supporters of the right-wing Law and Justice party (PiS) have written to Gibson’s production to protest her casting, citing her support for the Strajk Kobiet (“Women’s Strike”) movement, a nationwide campaign against Poland’s strict abortion laws.
Among those objecting is Paweł Rybicki, who previously managed social media communications for former president Andrzej Duda during his campaign, according to Polish portal Wysokie Obcasy.
Filming for The Resurrection of the Christ is already underway at Rome’s Cinecittà Studios, with the film set for release in 2027, Variety reports.
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Source: Radio Poland/Wysokie Obcasy/Variety