Mel Gibson talks ‘Passion of the Christ’ sequel and advice to his younger self

Mel Gibson was bright-eyed and bushy-faced when he dropped by “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” Tuesday night to promote his latest directorial effort, “Hacksaw Ridge.”

Not only was Gibson willing to talk about his new film, he also indulged Colbert and joined him in a recurring sketch called “Big Questions with Even Bigger Stars.”

During the sketch, Colbert and his guest lie on a picnic blanket, as though gazing up at the stars, and ask each other philosophical questions.

Colbert asked Gibson if he could go back in time and give a younger version of himself advice, what would it be.

“Don’t be so caught up in the little things,” Gibson mused, reading from a teleprompter, as he noted later in the sketch. “Take advantage of all the gifts the world has to offer and live every day to the fullest.”

“I’d also tell my younger self,” Gibson added, “to shut the [expletive] up.”

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That bit of advice likely alludes to Gibson’s past, including one incident in which the “Mad Max” actor used anti-Semitic language in tapes released by his ex-girlfriend.

Gibson also told Colbert about his long-rumored sequel to “The Passion of the Christ.” He said the film, which is called “Resurrection,” was likely still three years out, being that it’s such a big subject.

“Yeah, yeah, I’ve read the book,” Colbert quipped. “I know how it ends.”

But Colbert was still confused about how the story of the Resurrection could be turned into a film. After all, the story lacks traditional action: The protagonist is dead, then disappears, then returns.

That’s when Gibson revealed that he plans for the film to entail not just the story of Jesus Christ’s resurrection, but also his journey through the days of his death.

Specifically, where “The Passion of the Christ” dramatized that “[he] suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried,” part of the Apostles’ Creed, “Resurrection” will capture the “he descended into hell. On the third day he rose again from the dead” portion.

“Who’s the bad guy?” Colbert asked Gibson. “Is it Thomas, who doubts that Christ has risen?”

“No,” Gibson replied.

“No bad guys?” Colbert pressed.

“Well, there are,” Gibson said while twisting his silvery beard. “They’re in another realm.”

Gibson’s latest, “Hacksaw Ridge,” arrives in theaters on Friday.

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