Mel Gibson considering role of Jesus

ICN ^ | August 9, 2002

[NYer]

[NYer]

Pasolini is best known outside Italy for his films, many of which were based on literary sources - The Gospel According to Saint Matthew, The Decameron, The Canterbury Tales. Pasolini referred himself as a 'Catholic Marxist' and often used shocking juxtapositions of imagery to expose the vapidity of values in modern society.

We can only hope that Gibson will leave the politics out of his production.

[Hemingway's Ghost]

Does this mean Mel-as-Jesus is going to kick some serious ass when he flips out in the Temple? I'm thinking of the final scene in his remake of Mr. Smith Goes to Washington with Homer J. Simpson.

[Desdemona]

As conservative and devoutly Catholic as Mel is, he'll do it right. Mel is such a man.

[Mr. Mulliner]

Isn't Mel a bit old to be playing a 33-year-old? And isn't he blue-eyed? What are they thinking?

[Wm Bach]

Well since carpenty in His day meant heavy masonry, the
real Jesus was probably one tough hombre, and probably
had little trouble tossing the money changers about.

[muggs]

Yeah, but that's sure going to kill my fantasy.

By the way I'm female, sometimes it's hard to tell with a name like Muggs.

[hopespringseternal]

They will mess it up. They only see the human side of Jesus, the itinerant preacher, and miss the divine side: The Son of God with power over nature and twelve legions of angels at His disposal.

Can you imagine how aweful the quieting of the storm on Galilee was? Can you picture the absolute shock of people from the raising of Lazarus? Every miracle is treated by directors as a non-event.

One of the better I have seen is "Matthew" which is simply the book of Matthew acted out. The Jesus portrayed in this adaptation shows anger and joy.

[Hemingway's Ghost]

Schwartzenegger or Clint Eastwood as Jesus then?

[Hemingway's Ghost]

Schwartzenegger or Clint Eastwood as Jesus then?

[the_daug]

dito on to old

[Polycarp]

Gibson is a very conservative Catholic. I don't think he would participate in a production that undercuts the message of the passion, death, and resurrection of Christ.

SIGNS, his latest film, is an awesome treatment of the subject of the loss and gain of faith. In fact, it makes the alien invasion subplot such an understated part of the film that it almost seems to be mocking the whole idea of alien life.

Notice in the film SIGNS that aliens are mortally harmed by water, and that they leave when signs of faith re-emerge.

Think of the parallel between demons/Holy Water, and the whole idea that the aliens in SIGNS were simply trying to capture humans (souls?) and you may see the incredibly spiritual aspect of this understated and superbly acted film.

If Gibson is playing Jesus Christ, I am heartily encouraged. Its nice to simply see a believer cast in such a role.

And I'd encourage any Christian here to go see SIGNS and view it through the eyes of faith. Look for the SIGNS behind the obvious in this film.

[NYer]

Well since carpenty in His day meant heavy masonry, the real Jesus was probably one tough hombre

Interesting that you should mention this. Fr. Benedict Groeschel made the same observation last week, during a discussion on the Man of the Shroud. It seems that the 3D imaging of the Man of the Shroud, indicates a muscular, well developed person.

SHROUD OF TURIN

[dubyagee]

Hadn't planned to see it, but I think I will now. Thanks Polycarp.

[HumanaeVitae]

"Can you picture the absolute shock of people from the raising of Lazarus?"

Nope, but the consequences were clear (on Calvary). People hate what they can't (or more appropriately won't) accept and understand.

[Alkhin]

NO NO!!!!, he said he'd do Sydney Carton from "A Tale of Two Cities" first!!!!

I wanna see him as Sydney Carton!!!!

Oh well, I think he will do just fine, no matter what he does. He is D*** good...

[Polycarp]

indicates a muscular, well developed person.

Good. Can I then suggest some good ole' fashioned Catholic iconoclasm? How about tearing down and destroying all those androgenous/feminine Risen Christ statues and "crucifixes" for starters, and replacing them with Christ depicted as He was in the Shroud?

Gibson is sounding well cast in this role...