Sony Pictures is pinning its hopes on Jim Caviezel to be a box office savior. On Monday, the studio and Mandalay Pictures revealed that they have slated "Archangel," an action-packed film, for release on November 6, 2026. The movie is set to star Caviezel alongside Olivia Thirlby, Garret Dillahunt, and Shea Whigham.
The project's genesis occurred when Mandalay approached Sony with a script penned by Chris Papasadero and Randall Wallace, featuring Caviezel already attached to take on the leading role. David Zelon and Peter Guber were also on board to produce and executive produce, respectively. Subsequently, Will Eubank was brought in to helm the directorial reins.
Caviezel is most renowned for his critically acclaimed portrayal of Jesus in Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ." Released in 2004, the film marked a watershed moment, showcasing the immense earning potential of faith-based cinema. It amassed a staggering $612.1 million at the global box office, securing its place as the highest-grossing independent film of all time, as well as the top-grossing Christian film, without adjusting for inflation. Although it still holds these records, it eventually had to relinquish its title as the top-performing R-rated film of all time, with $370 million in domestic ticket sales, after "Deadpool & Wolverine" shattered expectations nearly two decades later, raking in $636.7 million.
In the summer of 2023, Caviezel once again dominated headlines, starring in the box office juggernaut "Sound of Freedom" from faith-based Angel Studios. The film grossed over $250 million against a meager $14.5 million budget, which was largely crowdsourced. Caviezel also previously led the long-running CBS series "Person of Interest."
"Archangel" doesn't seem to be the reason behind Caviezel's absence from Gibson's two-film project, "The Resurrection of the Christ," a follow-up to "The Passion of the Christ" that Lionsgate will release back-to-back over the Christian holidays in Spring 2027. Monica Bellucci will also not reprise her role as Mary Magdalene, suggesting that Gibson may be seeking younger actors, given that the films are set just days after the original.
Sony and Guber's Mandalay have remained tight-lipped about the plot details of "Archangel." However, a story from earlier this year hints that it revolves around a former Green Beret residing in rural Wyoming, who spends his days designing weapons for a clandestine U.S. military agency.
Eubank, who recently directed "Land Of Bad" starring Liam Hemsworth and Russell Crowe, as well as "Underwater" featuring Kristen Stewart, made his directorial debut with "Love," a breakout success that played at numerous film festivals. Eubank is represented by CAA, Anonymous Content, and Johnson Shapiro Slewett & Kole LLP (JSSK).
