You Hate Jews': Screenwriter Pens Epic Letter to Mel Gibson Accusing Him of Making Movie to Hide Anti-Semitism

The drama surrounding actor and director Mel Gibson never seems to subside. In a nine-page letter written to Gibson by Hollywood screenwriter Joe Eszterhas, the actor is accused of "hating Jews" and of using Eszterhas to temper his anti-Semitic reputation.

The actor and screenwriter were, until recently, partners on a new film about Jewish revolt and heroism called "The Maccabees." In the epic letter, which can be read in its entirety here, alleges that Gibson never intended to make the film.

"I’ve come to the conclusion that the reason you won’t make ‘The Maccabees’ is the ugliest possible one," Eszterhas wrote. "You hate Jews."

The note, written on April 9, makes some other disturbing allegations. He claims that Gibson has repeatedly called Jews "over-dodgers," among other names and that he has called the Holocaust "mostly a lot of bulls*it" in the past. Eszterhas labeled many of Gibson's comments he personally heard "looney, rancid, anti-Semitic stuff."

He also took issue with Gibson's purported claim that the purpose behind making "The Maccabees" was "to convert the Jews to Christianity."

"You were raving at Oksana even after you'd reached a custody agreement over Luci. And then you were even more explicit about your threat," Ezsterhas also wrote in the note. "'I'm going to kill her! I'm going to have her killed!' You said you'd become friends with two FBI agents (or former FBI agents) and they were going to help you kill her."

In the end, Eszterhas challenged Gibson by invoking Jesus' name.

"I believe in Jesus Christ and you say you do too...but Jesus Christ teaches love, not hate," the letter concludes.

Following the note, Gibson's response to media, as published by the Huffington Post, among other outlets was as follows:

I have your letter. I am not going to respond to it line by line, but I will say that the great majority of the facts as well as the statements and actions attributed to me in your letter are utter fabrications. I would have thought that a man of principle, as you purport to be, would have withdrawn from the project regardless of the money if you truly believed me to be the person you describe in your letter. I guess you only had a problem with me after Warner Brothers rejected your script.

According to TheWrap, Warner Bros. has decided to put the film on hold and and rejected Eszterhas' script on the premise that is allegedly lacks the sense of "triumph" that the company is looking for. While the screenwriter wants the script returned to him, technically Gibson has the option to take it to another studio.

(H/T: TheWrap)