Posted on 07/26/2005 2:44:24 PM PDT by fight_truth_decay
Mel Gibson had Hollywood insiders scratching their heads when he announced that his film "The Passion of the Christ" would have dialogue only in Latin and Aramaic.
Now comes word that the next movie Gibson will direct, "Apocalypto," will be filmed in an obscure Mayan dialect.
The movie will star a neophyte cast indigenous to the region of Mexico where Gibson will shoot the film, according to the trade paper Variety, which says it will "presumably" have the "same kind of subtitles Gibson reluctantly added to 'The Passion of the Christ.'"
Earlier reports claimed the movie would be set 3,000 years ago, but Gibson's spokesman Alan Nierob is now saying it's set 500 years in the past.
Several studios bid for U.S. distribution rights for the film, which Gibson is bankrolling, before Disney got the nod.
And the fact that more than one studio bid for the project "shows Gibson's viability and makes laughable last year's prediction by the New York Times that Gibson would be blackballed by Jewish executives after the 'Passion' controversy," according to Variety.
In fact, Gibson was deluged with $20-million offers for his acting services after "Passion" was released.
Sources say "Apocalypto," which is set for a summer 2006 release, won't have a religious theme and could even carry an R rating due to violent scenes in the script.
"We couldn't be more excited about working again with Mel and his team," said Dick Cook, chairman of Walt Disney Studios, whose previous collaborations with Gibson include Signs and Ransom. "This is one of the most original and unique scripts we've ever had the opportunity to read recently, and we plan for this to be an anchor of our summer schedule."
Due out next summer, Apocalypto will feature a cast of unknowns native to the area in Mexico where the film will be shot, according to the Hollywood trade paper Variety. Gibson will not appear in the film, and he's keeping the plot under wraps.
At least three other studios passed on Apocalypto, but others made bids for it, according to Variety.
It's a far different reception than Gibson got for The Passion, which studios passed on distributing because of its potentially divisive religious themes.
He should retitle it to "El Floppo."
If it sticks to history, I might watch it. But if he keeps to history, he'll get hung by the 'Hispanic' activists.
Not sure what Gibson is thinking here - this looks like a lose/lose project for him.
I was hoping he would stay with Bible-based portrayals. I still like "The Ten Commandments".
that's what most folks said about "The Passion of the Christ", when word of the project first got ink.
English as a second language?
> I was hoping he would stay with Bible-based portrayals.
"The Passion of Onan."
Interesting...how do you say "See" and "Swing away" in Mayan?
I say he can make whatever movie he wants. Why not?
When someone becomes especially successful, everyone's a grumpy critic.
How many movies have you directed?
Yeah, but it's one thing to set a film in the New Testament Gospels and quite another to set a film in Pre-Columbian MesoAmerica..
Brilliant! The movie has a built in audience of millions in the Hispanic community!
Yes, especially in terms of human sacrifice. Flinging virgins (read: children) into those deep wells.
Or; "Say, what do you think of this thing? It's called a wheel."
"Nah. No use for it."
I'll tell you what he is thinking: He wants to make a good movie. A piece of art that will enliven the culture.
Good for him.
Were the Mayans into human sacrifice? I know that the Aztecs were.
My only problem with this is Disney getting some of my money if I see it...
The Spaniards described the Mayan people as fiercely independent, blood-thirsty, and, like the Aztecs, inclined to sacrifice the hearts of war prisoners on the gods’ altars.
...and they invented basketball!
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