Gibson to Produce 'Boudicca' Epic

newsmax ^ | 4/28/2004 | Newsmax staff

[solitas]

With the success of "The Passion Of The Christ," Mel Gibson can pretty much make whatever movie he wants, and he is once again looking back in time – to produce an epic about Boudicca, who led Britain against Roman conquerors.

The Scotsman newspaper reports that the film will be like "Bravehart - with a bra."

Boudicca rose from peasant girl to military leader, and united the Celtic tribes of Britain.

The film will be directed by Gavin O’Connor, who told the Hollywood trade paper Variety: "What drew me is that she was driven by personal revenge. Her goals were never political and never went beyond avenging her slain husband and child.

"She managed to bring together all of these warring tribes to stand against the Roman Empire," he added. "It is a masculine story with a female point of view."

Brian Klugman, who co-wrote the script with Lee Sternthal, told Variety, "We spent over a year researching Queen Boudicca, Celtic Britain and the Roman Empire, and another year writing the script.”

If it's anything like "The Passion" and "Bravehart," it is sure to be a beautifully made, powerful epic.

[spokeshave]

"The Scotsman newspaper reports that the film will be like "Bravehart - with a bra."

Make that Half a Bra..those warrier lassies used to cut off a breast so could wield a sword better.......

Can we get Hanoi Jane or Garrifolio (sp) or some other leftie lady (sic) to audition for this part....?

[aft_lizard]

Maybe this will shut up some of his critics who call Gibson anti-british.

[Moonman62]

Enya's first break was her soundtrack to a BBC series "The Celts". Dig it up it is great.

Her "Boudicca" theme is fantastic.

The spelling is a little different, Boadicea, but it's about the same person. For a song that was recorded in a home studio, and which is little more than humming, it's sure been successful. It's been in a couple of movies and has been used by others in their singles.

[far sider]

"The Scotsman newspaper reports that the film will be like "Bravehart - with a bra."

Make that Half a Bra..those warrier lassies used to cut off a breast so could wield a sword better.......

Wrong, actually. That was what the ancient Greeks said about the Amazons. It was a myth. And the breast was cut off so they could shoot arrows better, not wield swords. That's where the word Amazon comes from. (a-=without, mazon=breast). Just thought you would want to know.

[sharktrager]

Strange given Mel's historic dislike of the Brits.

[Oztrich Boy]

Strange given Mel's historic dislike of the Brits.

Only the English, not the Celts

[Twinkie]

This has been done on PBS recently. The British lady who
was (is?) on ER played the part of Boudicca, and it seemed
a pretty decent production. I wonder if Mel was aware it
had already been done. Of course, he would do it on
a grander scale, I guess. Also, perhaps there was a limited
audience for the PBS production.

[Alberta's Child]

She was very tall, "in appearance almost terrifying" and had a fierce expression. Her voice was described as harsh, a voice destined to demand attention, to be heard above the din of battle.

Good heavens . . . she was an ancestor of Rosie O'Donnell.

[sharktrager]

Good point.

[Master of Orion]

I vote for Queen Latifah!

[Rightwing Conspiratr1]

An excellent choice IMO.

[bethelgrad]

Oh I love her music too. When I was first introduced to her music I thought it was creepy, but in recent years I've learned to appreciate that style of music. I've got "Paint the Sky..." and "A Day Without Rain." Very cool.

[Salamander]

"This would place her at least in her 30's when she led the Iceni to bloody revolution. Of course, she could have been much older than this. Her precise age remains a mystery."

Given the harshness of the times and that "old age" began at 40, I don't think Weaver would be a bad choice.
She still looks "young" enough but she's not "cutesy" and I'll never forget her fighting the Queen Alien.

Boadicea was a fierce, gutsy broad.
I'll freak out if they have some "gorgeous" silicon bimbo play her.....:))

[and besides...Hepburn is gone]

[Salamander]

Yours is.
I just checked and all the images of the statue have her spear in her right hand and her left arm raised.

I have no idea why somebody flipped it.....:))

[Salamander]

Thanks.
Now how do we petition Mel?.....;))

[valkyrieanne]

This is the description of Boudicca which I found:

"She was huge of frame, terrifying of aspect, and with a harsh voice. A great mass of bright red hair fell to her knees: she wore a twisted torc, and a tunic of many colours, over which was a thick mantle, fastened by a brooch. Now she grasped a spear, to strike fear into all who watched her." Dio Cassius

I also thought that she was at least in her 30s or 40s, which would make her late-middle-aged for that time. Watch them get a skinny little 25 year old babe to play her.

[commish]

Sounds like a Geena Davis or Lucy Lawless role then.

[Sam the Sham]

Mass of red hair. Celtic looks....

Nicole Kidman. Though I had a mad crush on Moira Kelly in the early 90's.

Or the fieriest Celt of them all. Shannen Doherty.

[Sam the Sham]

I've acquired a taste for Irish themed alternative music.

I love a group called AfroCelt Sound System, or lately, just the AfroCelts that merges West African with Irish melodies and traditional instruments.