Hollywood Takes on 'Passion'(Now they're threatening Mel Gibson)

Fox News ^ | 2-23-04 | Neil Cavuto

[Elsie]

Wasn't he working on a new Mad Max movie???

Weren't these movies forerunners of the Left Behind series???

[ClearBlueSky]

What makes them think that a man who can finance,direct and distribute his own film NEEDS anyone to hire him?
Independence and integrity- yep, I can see how that upset the Hollywood powers-that-be.

[Indie]

I know there are liberal so-called Christians like Mike Moore in Hollywood. So I am apologizing for my generalized earlier statement.

I was just referring to the fact that most of the bigwig producers etc in Hollywood are in fact liberal Jews.
I'll watch my sensitivity a little better. Everyone here should no I am extremely PRO-Israel.

I guess a better choice of words would have been "amoral" and left their religious affiliation out of it.

I'm sorry if I offended anyone.

Cheers!

[truthandlife]

'Passion' ping

[Betaille]

"I'm sorry if I offended anyone."

Apology accepted. You didn't say anything out of spite, but as I'm sure you understand jewish people have a right to be a bit sensitive about generalizations. Thank you for showing objectivity and humility.
Adam

[B-Chan]

Thanks! B-Chan, former Hollywood storyboard artist, at your service.

[hellinahandcart]

I'm so pissed off that I have vowed to pay to see it twice. Even if I hate it the first time.

[Siamese Princess]

Box office numbers are down, because the Hollywood elite are completely out of touch with the common people, and what they want to see.

It's amazing how few pictures actually make money, including ones starring well-known performers. It's even more amazing how often performers who haven't starred in a hit for years continue to command big bucks, which makes turning a profit on their pictures even more difficult.

[bethelgrad]

I've heard a lot about the death sequence, but does anyone know if Gibson pays much attention to Christ' resurection? I'll see for myself on Wed if no one knows.

[Porterville]

I don't think it's the violence or the subtitles. I think it's the subject. I think ... it's Jesus. Too religious.

Oh man, it is just plain prejudice and typical liberal bigotry. Nazism at its finest when a liberal is concerned about anything.

[montag813]

The only thing Hollywood respects is money. This movie is going to make a pile of it.

This film will end up being one of the 10 highest-grossing films of all time.

[Mo1]

One tells the New York Daily News he's all but a marked man.

Nothing like a threat by a bunch of hypocrites

[Ichneumon]

Cavuto normally does great commentaries, but he's gone off half-cocked this time.

Here are the actual quotes from the NYDN piece Cavuto bases his rant on:

"I think this whole thing is going to be quite harmful to his career," said Lloyd Leipzig, a 50-year veteran of the film business and retired studio executive. "I don't think you can put him in the same roles anymore. All of a sudden he's a different person and, accordingly, you're not going to find a lot of people who will take chances with him."

"Hollywood is not the most religious society on Earth," said James Ulmer, author of the "Hollywood Hot List." "Their faith isn't in God, it's in money. It's profits over prophets." ... "If Mel brings home over $100 million at the box office for a film in Aramaic and Latin - believe me, he will get hired again."

Paul Dergarabedian, president of the box office tracking company Exhibitor Relations, said there's no doubt the "public perception" of Gibson will shift. "He's now opened up a very personal part of his life to the world, and that will change his image," he said. "But he will remain one of the most popular stars."

That's hardly justification for Cavuto to declare that Gibson is a "marked man", and that people are out to "exact revenge" on him for daring to make a movie about Jesus. And it certainly doesn't justify the opening line: "Now they're threatening Mel Gibson."

The quotes just indicate that Hollywood, like any business, is cautious (perhaps too cautious) about thye possible public reception problems of its "representatives". Whether their concerns are right or wrong is irrelevant to the point that the article's quotes are about perceived "marketability" of a leading man in the movie business, not an anti-religious vendetta.

While there has been a lot of overreaction by the film's critics, there's been a heck of a lot of overreaction by its defenders, too.

[Valin]

The only thing Hollywood respects is money.

I wonder just how true that is? Yes they do love money, but they also love to get awards, and get nice things said about them from their peers.


This movie is going to make a pile of it.
ABSOLUTLY! the number of evangelical christians X $6.00=?.
And don't even talk to me about the DVD sales!
He's going to have more than enough money to do pretty much whatever he wants.

If you're reading this Mel, "That Hidious Strenght"...think about it.

[bornintexas]

Someone earlier posted about Academy Awards....I was wondering that myself earlier today....if the Academy would offer up any for "The Passion." That will be very interesting.

[Valin]

They may be forced to if this film is half as big as I think it will be.

[searchandrecovery]

Passion II: This time, it's PERSONAL!

Passion II: Jesus vs. God(zilla)

[Liz]

My pleasure to have found you and the quote.

[longrider]

I havn't been in a theater in 20 to 25 years. But I'm going to see this one in a theater and as soon as I can buy a copy of it, I will.

[ladylib]

That's true. Why don't more people realize it?