Battle of Vienna
Sobieski Sending Message of Victory to the Pope
Posted on 12/26/2006 1:57:31 PM PST by lizol
Mel Gibson to play Polish King?!
Reports have emerged that Mel 'Madmax' Gibson has been approached to play King Jan Sobieski in an epic movie about the 1683 Siege of Vienna.
Wroclaw-based producer Mariusz Bielak would like Gibson to both star in and direct the picture, and he is optimistic that the Australian maverick will come on board:
'All the signs show that he is interested in this project and its theme', Bielak was quoted as saying in Polish daily Gazeta Wyborcza. "It's his cup of tea.'
The film, which has a working title of Victoria (The Victory), is being billed as the most lavish Polish film of all time, with predicted costs running to 120 million zl. That's six times more costly than 'Quo Vadis', which currently holds the national record.
The script has already been completed by celebrated screenwriter Cezary Harasimowicz. The writer became transfixed by the material, and he promises heady sub-plots involving spies, intrigue and of course, the oft-chronicled romance between Sobieski and his French Queen:
'Jan III Sobieski was a charismatic figure' Harasimowicz told GW .' He was a great strategist, a phenomenal knight, and to cap it all, head over heels in love with his wife. This is the kind of figure that Mel Gibson played in 'Braveheart'. But this is a less tragic role - Sobieski triumphed.'
Polish talkboards reveal that Mel Gibson is not universally supported as the man who would be king. One site has launched a thread entitled 'SAY NO TO MEL GIBSON AS JAN SOBIESKI!!!! NO!!' Those logging on have wryly voiced their excitement at watching 'the best comedy of the year.'
Although devotees of Polish history see little resemblance between Gibbo and the portly Polish King, realists concur that Gibson is indeed a figure who could make the project a salable quantity. That said, they would prefer to see Gibson stay behind the camera, rather than parade in front of it.
The Siege of Vienna is regarded by historians as a turning point in European History. The Catholic Alliance - led by the Polish King - saw off the Turkish threat to Central Europe.
Shooting is scheduled to begin in Poland in 2008. Watch this space for more info!
I'm very, very, very distantly related to a guy who claimed to be Sobieski's grandson (by that loose standard, you're probably related, too).
It's kind of a sore point on the Genealogy boards, I've found.
In any case, the movie itself would be a big event.
The outcome seems too politically incorrect, and too pro-Western for a mainstream Hollywood production.
Mel should direct but not act, with Polish and Austrian unknowns playing the leads, and all dialogue in Polish, German and Turkish.
Knights of the West throwing the Muslim Janissaries of Suleyman the Magnificent back from the gates of Vienna? I'd pay to see that.
PLEASE.
Sobieski was a real hero. Don't have a wack job like Gibson play him.
If this is made, I WILL GO AND SEE IT.
I hope Mel studies up on tossing and catching his mace behing his back, one of King Jan's favorite tricks.
Mel Gibson is certainly the man to take charge in this project. Let's admit it, he's talented, he got the $$$, he's unPC, and best of all, he's independent from Hollywood.
Mel Gibson is certainly the man to take charge in this project. Let's admit it, he's talented, he got the $$$, he's unPC, and best of all, he's independent from Hollywood.
I wonder if Leelee Sobieski will be in the movie?
lolski
Makes me speculate about future movies of Mel Gibson...
2009 - Mel Gibson recreates Churchill's book "the River War" in the Sudan, films in current day Sudan, and winds up embroiled in the troubles there - film at 11.
2011 - Mel Gibson, in association with the Chinese Academy of Film, creates a four hour-long motion picture on the Three Kingdoms period of ancient China, with all dialogue in ancient Chinese (to the best ability of scholars hired to create this) and no subtitles for the domestic Chinese version. Chinese audiences are at a loss.
2013 - Mel Gibson, in a made for TV movie, recreates the story of Samson, with or without Delilah, with special attention to slaying thousands with the jawbone of an ass (ox?) and eye gougings.
2017 - Mel Gibson, in a pay-for-internet-distribution only-series, creates his own interpretation of a two-part drama, "The Protocols of the Elders of Zion" followed up by "How the Neocons Took Over America" with every character in the movie created by CGI animation except for Jimmy Carter, who plays himself, and Mel Gibson, who narrates.
Good publicity stunt by the director.
All the evidence here is that the producer "approached" Gibson.
Hell, I approached Gibson to donate the the AmishDude fund for benefitting AmishDude. That doesn't mean I'm going to get any money.
They should sign this guy for the lead role, he should be old enough by now...
I think he is on the cutting edge of what might be called mainstream "violence porn", outside of a horror-movie context. He needs to take some time to relax and do something like Kindergarten Cop. For the moment I can't recall the last gentle romance film he was in, can anyone think of any?
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