From Yahoo:
The casting of Polish-born actress Kasia Smutniak as Mary in Mel Gibson’s “The Resurrection of the Christ” is sparking controversy from far-right Catholic groups in her native country, where Smutniak is known as a pro-abortion activist.
As reported exclusively by Variety, shooting started in early October at Rome’s Cinecittà Studios on Gibson’s long-delayed follow up to 2004’s “The Passion of the Christ,” with its main ensemble cast having been entirely recast. Finnish actor Jaakko Ohtonen (“The Last Kingdom”) is playing the role of Jesus, replacing original star Jim Caviezel. Mary Magdalene, a role held in “Passion” by Monica Bellucci, is being played in “Resurrection” by Cuban actress Mariela Garriga, and Smutniak is replacing Maia Morgenstern as Mary.