Mel Gibson Planning…a Jewish Action Movie?
- Posted on September 9, 2011 at 6:40pm by
Madeleine Morgenstern
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Five years after Mel Gibson launched into a drunken, anti-Semitic tirade, he has a new movie in the works: An action flick about the life of second-century Jewish warrior Judah Maccabee, whose triumph over a tyrannical ruler is celebrated at Hanukkah.
The Los Angeles Times reported Gibson‘s production company has inked a deal with Warner Brothers for a movie on Maccabee’s life. Gibson will decide whether to direct it once the script is finished, and “has not ruled out the possibility that he could act in the film.”
Gibson’s camp described the movie as having similar themes to “Braveheart” and “The Patriot.”
According to the Times, Maccabee “has fascinated” Gibson for years, and at one point he considered doing the film as a follow up to 2004′s “The Passion of the Christ.”
The Atlantic’s Jeffrey Goldberg recalled speaking with Gibson a few years ago about his interest in the Maccabee story:
“I just read it when I was teenager, and it’s amazing. It’s almost like” — here, he grabbed my digital recorder, held it to his mouth, and spoke in a portentous movie-announcer voice — “They profaned his Temple. They killed his father. They… all kinds of stuff. In the face of great odds for something he believed in” — here he switched out of movie-announcer voice — “Oh, my God, the odds they faced. The armies they faced had elephants! How cinematic is this! Even Judah’s dad — what’s his name? Mattathias? — you kind of get this guy who more or less is trying to avoid the whole thing, but he just gets to a place where had enough, and he just snapped!”
The screenwriter, Joe Eszterhas, is best known for writing “Basic Instinct” and “Showgirls.” He was awarded the Emanuel Foundation’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 1995 for his writings about the Holocaust in Hungary.
Gibson’s announcement was met by outrage by some leaders in the Jewish community.
“It would be a travesty to have his story told by one who has no respect and sensitivity for other people’s religious views,” Abraham Foxman of the Anti-Defamation League told the Hollywood Reporter.
Rabbi Marvin Hier told the publication, “Mel Gibson has shown nothing but antagonism and disrespect to Jews.” In separate remarks, he told CNN, “Casting him as a director or star of Judah Maccabee is like casting Bernie Madoff to be the head of the Securities and Exchange Commission.”
Gibson has called his infamous alcohol-infused anti-Semitic rant “a moment of insanity” and “public humiliation on a global scale.” He made news last summer after he was recorded berating his girlfriend and making a series of racist, violent and misogynistic remarks.
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Comments (104)
inferno
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 10:18pmMaybe certain people would rather see Obama direct the movie, since he is such a great friend of Israel !
Report Post »Merrymix
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 10:09pmSo Foxmann and the Rabbi should tell their people to come forward and make their own movie. I don’t see anyone rushing to tell this story. In fact, it’s disappointing that Gibson is going to use his vast talents on this when there are so many other fascinating things he could portray. Whatever he does, it will be a great movie and the Jews will be proud.
Report Post »Rational Man
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 10:25pmWould you have said the same thing about “Braveheart”?
Report Post »This story will be similar in some respects.
babylonvi
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 10:08pmMaybe Nel wants to make THIS movie because all the Jews die in the end?
Report Post »StonyBurk
Posted on September 10, 2011 at 8:15amI am happy to hear that Mel Gibson wants to do this movie. I will go see it when it comes out just to beard that old fox anyway– besides Mel Gibson can’t do any worse than was done with the Passion. And /Or the Patriot. I weary of all the nabobs nittering about Mel Gibson-he is after all a pretty good story teller-and that is what actors are known-or ought be known for. Not the glitterati BS scoops trying to sell yellow paper by digging into private lives. Let the actor act. And let us judge the movie by its merits.
Report Post »SodamYat
Posted on September 10, 2011 at 11:01amFreeeeeee doooomm achh aahh
Report Post »hurricanerigger
Posted on September 10, 2011 at 12:22pmJudas? WT..? We’ve seen how he died in the “Passion”. Then we saw how he was born in the “Nativity Story”. I want to see a movie of how he LIVED!, which I consider is the important part. So give the people what they need the most! I dont care about the messenger. All I care is about the message!
Report Post »RightPolitically
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 10:07pmShalom
Report Post »TxMadMac
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 9:36pmHollywood is very boring to me. Bang bang shoot ‘em up. Wreck the cars and f the girls. The same script just past around and changed a bit. The last Mel movie I saw was the passion. Great ! Other than that, I simply don’t bother.
Report Post »wordweaver
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 9:29pmSay what you want about Gibson and his personal life, he has a pretty impressive body of work in film as both an actor and director. I believe if he gets the movie rights and gets it financed, he will produce another quality film that is sensitive to the topic. Last time I checked, in America we don’t exclude people from pursuing their careers because of embarrassing but non-criminal indiscretions.
Report Post »TroyBray
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 9:46pmYeah, he does good Hollywood, but nowhere near historically accurate. I loved Braveheart when it came out, so much I did some actual historical research. The real story is WAY WAY better than the movie. If somebody does get inspired to learn some truth, Great. Otherwise, he’s just hollywood.
Report Post »dthomps6
Posted on September 10, 2011 at 12:46amPlus, the maccabees story would make a great movie. Its a less read segment of the bible. I think its a great idea
Report Post »waitingandlooking
Posted on September 10, 2011 at 11:36amIt’s least read because the Maccabees are not in the Bible.
Report Post »TomFerrari
Posted on September 10, 2011 at 7:02pm@Waiting –
THANK YOU ! !
Rotfl
Let’s see… Maccabbees that comes right after First Samuel, right? LOL
.
Report Post »Rational Man
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 9:22pmThat might be the only movie I would pay to go see!
Report Post »I never pay to view, but I could make an exception in this case.
edmundburk
Posted on September 10, 2011 at 3:34pmthe book of maccabees is in the CATHOLIC bible, the first christian bible, the lutherans and calvinists took out about 5 or 6 old testimant books during the reformation!
Report Post »WeeDontNeedNoSteenkinBadges
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 9:19pmHey, people … “it’s only a movie” … okay?
Rather, what about the REAL thing:
“Chuck Norris on Terrorism & DHS Surveillance The feds have lost their minds”
http://www.rumormillnews.com/cgi-bin/forum.cgi?read=215164
OR
“Senate Approves $500 Billion Increase in Borrowing Authority”
http://www.rumormillnews.com/cgi-bin/forum.cgi?read=215165
On the other hand, these would make GREAT movies — suspense, intrigue, lies, double-cross, murder, corruption, and the heist of the century!
Report Post »santramir
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 8:40pmthe jews have no morality authority in the film industry. jews films are intended to provoque the worst of the worst in human basic instincts, so como on jews can not say what right or wrong. by the way disrispect to others? who killed jesus ah?
robert
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 8:50pm“It would be a travesty to have his story told by one who has no respect and sensitivity for other people’s religious views,” Abraham Foxman of the Anti-Defamation League told the Hollywood Reporter.”
This coming from an anti-Christian, Anglo hater of the highest order.
And his sanity has ALWAYS been in question. I mean, who would drop everything and fly to the Vatican to try to meet with the Pope, because they felt the Pope had the power to stop a showing of The Passion of Christ?
This man is an embarassment to Jews everywhere, and if they don’t want to be ridiculed any more than they have been already they would do well to get rid of him.
Islesfordian
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 8:52pmBad writing, bad logic and bad ideas. You’ve won the triple crown. Congratulations.
Report Post »searching for the Truth
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 8:52pmThe Gentiles.
Report Post »Airabella
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 8:57pm@santramir
I do not know what Jewish movie you been witching but I have seen a lot of movie & TV shows that does show the worst of people. You might want to look around more before you make such a statement.
Report Post »CIAtroll
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 9:08pmbe a good Goy Mel
Report Post »searching for the Truth
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 9:11pmKinda puts a thorn in the side doesn’t it?
Report Post »searching for the Truth
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 8:31pmYou have to give men room to get back up. Heavy wicked spirit in Hollywood maybe he has come to terms with it , found error with himself,and somehow seeking amends.
Report Post »chazman
Posted on September 10, 2011 at 8:53am… it’s always a good idea to RE-READ what you have written before you hit the ‘REPLY’ icon. It’s called self editing, and it makes reading posts so much more enjoyable.
Report Post »christianforisrael
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 8:30pmI support Mel Gibson, in my opinion he has made the best movies and the most original and thought provoking movies of the past two decades. We are all sinners and if the media could show all of our sins to the world I imagine we would all be very ashamed of ourselves
Report Post »searching for the Truth
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 8:36pmAmen.
Report Post »searching for the Truth
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 9:01pmThe Jews had Jesus convicted, the Gentiles ( that’s everyone else ) tore His Flesh with a whip and killed Him ,and everyone else stood around. Then the Lord asked the Holy Spirit within Him to forgive them “all.”
Report Post »AsilisArt
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 9:04pmTotally agree with the above statement.
Report Post »Rational Man
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 9:36pmThanks for posting guys. Nice to know I’m not alone in my opinions about Mel.
Report Post »I can only imagine the spiritual warfare he went through after making “The Passion”. (I can relate)
I have prayed for Mel and hopefully I will see some results of that now.
I still weep when I watch “The Passion” and as a matter of fact, the screensaver on my laptop is a picture from the movie of Jesus. Looking straight at me from the cross. Helps me keep my focus right sometimes……………………..
santramir
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 8:18pmthe jewish talmudic ethics ruling the politics, the economies and everything they touch turning to ashes have proved very wrong in the eyes of america. stop the fed, stop the evilwood, stop the propaganda mass media machine, holy christ, are those the seven plagues promised for the apocalypse.
TheGreyPiper
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 10:30pmPlease. Just stop.
Report Post »zaches
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 8:14pmMel Gibson is A Wonderful person And you name calling liberals are jealous of him . GO MEL GO.
Report Post »Rational Man
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 10:12pmI‘m not exactly saying this makes up for Mel’s screwups, but he is a nice guy. Everyone I ever heard talk about Mel around his ranch near Columbus, Mt. has nothing but good things to say about him. That is not true of many of the other celebrity types that have property in Montana. A guy I used to work with that lived near Mel’s ranch told me that Mel gave his kid a steer to raise for 4H or FFA. He said Mel and his ranch crew were real good neighbors. Mel has since then, sold the ranch to some neighbors.
Report Post »Like I said, most, if not all, celebrities in Montana are not like that and generally treat regular folks like “peasants”………….Not Gibson!
whatthecrazy
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 7:59pmHow many chances are we going to give him?
Report Post »spirited
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 8:16pm…forgive us our trespasses…
Most movies Mel Gibson has been in
or been involved in making
–have been , overall, good.
>Besides, movies are optional viewing.
Report Post »hidden_lion
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 8:38pm7 times 70….
Report Post »Islesfordian
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 8:38pmI hope he gets more chances than the Director that drugged and raped a 13 year girl, or the one who sedduced his step daughter.
Report Post »mykegriffin
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 9:15pmIf you don’t like Mel Gibson; you need to leave the country. You‘re a F’n Communist !!
Report Post »TheGreyPiper
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 10:36pmI dunno.
How many chances would he get if he’d drugged and raped a 13 year old girl, then fled the country and lived as a fugitive from justice for 40 years?
How many chances would he get if he’d gotten drunk, drove his car off a bridge, then hid in a friend’s house overnight concocting an alibi while his paramour drowned?
How many chances would he get if he’d been in and out of jail and rehab for drug use and trafficking so many times he was “in” more than “out” for the last couple years?
How many chances would he get . . . well, if he was a typical leftard?
Report Post »Rayblue
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 7:46pmMad Mordachai.
Report Post »Maybe with a soundtrack by Gefilte Joe and the Fish.
tharpdevenport
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 7:41pmSo … tempting … resist we much … NAH!!!!!
I hear he’s calling it “The Wetbacks”. The female lead will, of course, be called “SugarTITS”.
Report Post »Chr1st14n
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 7:32pmcool!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Report Post »CommonSenseRN
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 7:29pmI hope the movie is a good as the Passion of the Christ. Mel Gibson does have a talent for acting and movie making. The Jewish people need to be presented in a positive light, especially since all the neo-nazi elements are becoming much more active. I hope this heals some wounds made by his past comments and actions.
Report Post »We the people of the republic
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 8:12pmI second that!
Report Post »He hasn’t gone all siencetoligy on us.
Let him try and mend his BraveHeart and heal the wounds of the anti semantic ways.
You Mel you…
Dug2Dark
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 7:27pmLet me get this straight. First, BHO sticks it to Israel, now Mel is going to make a movie about a Jewish hero. Mel & his old man seem to hate Jews. Already know how this movie goes:
Mel gets drunk, pulled over in his chariot by some Jews, scuffles with them & goes on an anti-islamic rant about how arabs rule the world & how they are screwing everybody.
Guess he couldn’t make a sequel to one of his first movies since MAD MAXine Waters beat him to that one.
Report Post »tobinnieto
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 7:12pmIt’s about time, the 1st and 2nd book of Maccabees are awesome reads. This movie will be even gorier than apocalypto if he sticks close to the source.
Report Post »spirited
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 7:11pmGibson is good at his jobs!
–He just seems to have a hard time living off screen.
He goes a little mad…
….he’s a bit off.
>Madoff wasn’t acting
Report Post »hidden_lion
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 8:41pmhe’s a bit off.”
Thats why he plays his roles so well. All his characters are a little off as well…Most people in hollywood are bad people in one way or another. See it or don’t. His movies have always been good.
Report Post »Johnny916
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 7:08pmI’m very skeptical what Mr. Gibson has planed here. Being Jewish I would like to see a pro-Judaism movie.
Report Post »Applehead
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 8:13pmWe need more Biblical movies!!! There are some great stories that would be great movies from the OT and NT as long as they are Biblically sound and have no liberal Hollywood slant!!! I believe many including myself that would love to see biblical stories come to life!!! The Passion of the Christ was was the best movie I ever saw!!!!! ADL = NAACP! The ADL hated The Passion and there was not one incident against Jews bc thats not how Christians see The Passion!!! We see it that our Father and became man to free us from the enslavement of the Devil and sin so the gates of Heaven could be opened for us again!!! Before Jesus died on the cross Heaven was closed to all men and when the lance penetrated his side they were opened again to anyone that accepts their savior Lord Jesus Christ!!!!! Before that all went to limbo!!! Its a story about love!!!
Report Post »Johnny916
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 8:24pmWell, I understand your views. I just would like to see movies from Hebrew bible be more kosher. In other words I would like the movies to have a pro-Jewish them then Christian, Islamic, or even secular twist. We need to present Judaism to others so, we can show Jews are not bent on enslaving gentiles or anything evil.
Report Post »Islesfordian
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 8:33pmPeople think Mel’s antisemitic because of his antisemitic rants when he was drunk. But a true antisemite would let it shine out when he’s sober. We all have dark sides we wrestle with, our Mr. Hyde nature. Mel’s father helps explain where some of his demons come from.
But those who think The Passion was a reflection of antisemitism don’t understand catholiocism at all. No catholic of his stripe would ever have cast a Jew as the Mother of God if he was truly antisemetic.
When Mel drinks he can’t direct, his demons take hold of him and his life spins out of control. he is a parable all unto himself. If he takes this on it will be because he has sobered up and put his demons back in the basement. His higher nature will tell the story, and Jes should have nothing to worry about because the story of Maccabees fits right in with the movies he likes to tell: Braveheart, the Patriot, Apocalypto. I gaurantee that Antiochus Epiphanes will be portayed as a real nasty tyrant.
Maybe he’ll resemble Obama. :-)
Report Post »YepImaConservative
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 7:08pmSomewhere along the line…some degenerate Hollywood Jews must have really Po‘d ol’ mel and caused all this insanity. lol.
Mel needs to go to Israel, hang with some real Jews of faith and get his head right.
Report Post »squeaker
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 8:05pm@YepImaConservative – “”"Mel needs to go to Israel, hang with some real Jews of faith and get his head right.”"”
!… That would be like 0zer0 hanging out with the Tea Party …!
Report Post »Islesfordian
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 8:44pmMel has never shown any hostility toward Jews when in his right mind. Obama has expressed all his antagonism toward Israel stone cold sober.
Report Post »avenger
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 7:06pmthis should be good.. a matzo cooking contest as the missles come crashing into the kitchen..the hero gets up with matzo dough on his face and….you know the rest of the story…
Report Post »PROAMERICAN
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 7:05pmHas Mel had a “Come to Jesus” moment yet? We do not know for sure, only God knows. Let us not judge.
Report Post »Islesfordian
Posted on September 9, 2011 at 8:49pmIf you saw him talk about Jesus when The Passion came out you would know the answer. He just had a relapse. That’s pretty common for alcoholics. He’s had more of a come BACK to Jesus moment, I guess. It may not be his last. He needs to stay sober. Unfortunately, Hollywood doesn’t give a crap about sobriety, let alone spiritual health.
I hope he makes his movie and stays away from Hollywood. Let him dedicate himself to his art and his family and faith, and give up the limelight forever.
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