Comcast Out, Mel Gibson In On Disney Takeover?

NewsMax ^ | 5/5/04 | Carl Limbacher

[wagglebee]

The New York Post's Richard Johnson is reporting that "A consortium of mysterious European investors has approached [Mel] Gibson about a possible takeover of Disney now that Comcast has thrown in the towel, sources told PAGE SIX."

Wow.

First, Gibson couldn't even get anyone to distribute his movie, and now that it might become the biggest selling dvd of all time, the movie cognoscenti are interested.

Well, at least they're paying lip service to the idea. They would still want Gibson to throw in a couple hundred million of his own money to help buy the Mouse House, but they also want him to run the company.

One insider told Johnson: "We were very impressed with the way Gibson handled 'The Passion of the Christ'" - especially the part where he produced the movie for around $30 million, but has made $600 million in the theaters so far.

Gibson friends agree: "Gibson has the sensibilities Hollywood needs," one told Page Six. "He has the right insight to lead a studio. Look at those numbers! Now, that is how to make movies - none of this $120 million nonsense."

But, the source added, "He hasn't said yes, and he hasn't said no" to the proposal for a Disney corporate takeover.

Another person close to Gibson said, "The discussions have not gone anywhere . . . yet."

[Waryone]

"A consortium of mysterious European investors has approached [Mel] Gibson about a possible takeover of Disney now that Comcast has thrown in the towel, sources told PAGE SIX."

I wouldn't trust Hollywood as far as I could throw the hill its namesake sits on. I would be very wary of this if I were Mel Gibson.

So he has to contribute a couple of hundred million of his own money? To a mysterious Eurosomething consortium? Sounds like the makings of a longterm, honorable, trustworthy relationship here? I don't think so.

They either want him for his money or for the wholesome cover he would provide for their underhanded deeds. I don't know who these people are. Maybe they are reliable, devoted, godly, Christians. But in my mind, all I can imagine is a group of money grubbing foreigners trying to buy a piece of the American entertainment/media industry, using Mel Gibson's name and reputation to allow them to peddle even more smut and p. c. wacko theories with impunity. While unaware Christians happily lap it all up.

Frightening!

[carlo3b]

Say YES Mel.. PLEASE... Just say YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSssssss!!!!

[fortunecookie]

I had heard rumors of this just recently! I say Wonderful and about time. It's time to exorcise Disney of Eisner and all garbage he does through their name, all the while helping himself and his cronies to gigantic 'bonuses', whether or not there has been a profit, whether or not employees are being laid off. Roy and a few loyal pals have been working hard the last few years to divest themselves of Eisner and restore Disney's good name and reputation. To get rid of Eisner and get Mel to run it would just be double genius.

[luisfer]

Hollywood's a real circus..... We've been hearing a LOT of..."Mel Gibson is fiiiiiinissssshed....bla bla bla...
That wasn't very bright, was it?
The same "so called" crafty one's, are now saying...Please Mr. Gibson... Sir, with YOUR help.... Mr. Gibson,we really need to work together NOW....By the way Mr. Gibson,...How's the family? ...Hollow laughters....And so on.....
Equivocal situation? Well, it will take a smart one to get him fallen into that trap...He knows better...
That's the way it is...no mistake!!! Now's Mel turn to bull the market....
Wel done Mel, they can't hold a candle to you !!

[WillRain]

Sounds good. but keep in mind that Mel would be a minority owner and would, theoreticly, have to keep the Euro-investors happy and they are not notorious for sypathizing with views like Mel's. We better pray these investors think something like he does or it may be less of a victory than we think.

Still, any course of events which vindicate Gibson's choices and humiliates Eisner/Disney's can't be a bad thing.

[Hildy]

The more I think about this story, the more I think it's a dig at Mel, not a compliment. They want him to THROW IN HIS OWN MILLIONS? The inference is that Mel can't do anything anymore unless he puts up his own money. It would be like paying for the job. It's weird and it doesn't make sense.