ankit
20-08-05, 04:16 AM
Mel Gibson is planning yet another historical epic after “The passion of the Christ” called “Apocolypto”
Gibson is set to direct a new story that focuses on the roots of civilization some 3 000 years back in the time of the Ancient Greeks. The title, “Apocalypto,” was taken from the Greek word meaning an unveiling or new beginning. The film is rumoured to be full of violence and action.
The actor-director plans an October starting date to shoot Apocalypto, set 500 years ago in Central America, his spokesperson, Alan Nierob said. But he will not star in the film which is expected be released in the middle of 2006. “He lets his work speak for itself,” Nierob said. The story, Gibson began writing nine months ago, is described as a “unique adventure".
The latest epic will be fully financed by Gibson’s Icon Productions, Hollywood’s hottest production property following the runaway success of Passion that Gibson funded from his own pocket.
Walt Disney won the competition to distribute Apocolypto in North America, while Icon Productions will circulate it in the rest of the world, similar to the deal Gibson struck with Newmarket Films to distribute “The Passion,”
“We couldn’t be more excited about working again with Mel and his team,” said Dick Cook, chairman of Walt Disney Studios, whose previous collaborations with Gibson include “Signs” and “Ransom.” “This is one of the most original and unique scripts we’ve ever had the opportunity to read recently, and we plan for this to be an anchor of our summer schedule,” Cook said.
Casting of Maya local to the region of Mexico, where Gibson will begin shooting is apparently already underway. Dialogue will be spoken in an obscure Mayan dialect, in the same way Gibson used Aramaic and Latin for his religious blockbuster “The Passion.” Maya dialects are still spoken as a primary or secondary language by at least 3 million people in the region.
A note on the first page of the script says, “The dialogue you are about to read will not be spoken in English.” Presumably the script will be translated into Mayan, and will have English subtitles.
Gibson is said to be Hollywood’s most powerful figure since taking a huge risk by self-financing Passion, after other investors refused to support the film. A devout Catholic, Gibson put $25-million of his own money into the film, which ended up netting $604-million around the world, becoming the most successful independent film of all time.
At that time, many industry analysts scoffed at what they saw as the commercial folly of making a film in Aramaic about the last hours of Jesus.
It remains to be seen whether Gibson can repeat his success with a subtitled film.
Gibson is set to direct a new story that focuses on the roots of civilization some 3 000 years back in the time of the Ancient Greeks. The title, “Apocalypto,” was taken from the Greek word meaning an unveiling or new beginning. The film is rumoured to be full of violence and action.
The actor-director plans an October starting date to shoot Apocalypto, set 500 years ago in Central America, his spokesperson, Alan Nierob said. But he will not star in the film which is expected be released in the middle of 2006. “He lets his work speak for itself,” Nierob said. The story, Gibson began writing nine months ago, is described as a “unique adventure".
The latest epic will be fully financed by Gibson’s Icon Productions, Hollywood’s hottest production property following the runaway success of Passion that Gibson funded from his own pocket.
Walt Disney won the competition to distribute Apocolypto in North America, while Icon Productions will circulate it in the rest of the world, similar to the deal Gibson struck with Newmarket Films to distribute “The Passion,”
“We couldn’t be more excited about working again with Mel and his team,” said Dick Cook, chairman of Walt Disney Studios, whose previous collaborations with Gibson include “Signs” and “Ransom.” “This is one of the most original and unique scripts we’ve ever had the opportunity to read recently, and we plan for this to be an anchor of our summer schedule,” Cook said.
Casting of Maya local to the region of Mexico, where Gibson will begin shooting is apparently already underway. Dialogue will be spoken in an obscure Mayan dialect, in the same way Gibson used Aramaic and Latin for his religious blockbuster “The Passion.” Maya dialects are still spoken as a primary or secondary language by at least 3 million people in the region.
A note on the first page of the script says, “The dialogue you are about to read will not be spoken in English.” Presumably the script will be translated into Mayan, and will have English subtitles.
Gibson is said to be Hollywood’s most powerful figure since taking a huge risk by self-financing Passion, after other investors refused to support the film. A devout Catholic, Gibson put $25-million of his own money into the film, which ended up netting $604-million around the world, becoming the most successful independent film of all time.
At that time, many industry analysts scoffed at what they saw as the commercial folly of making a film in Aramaic about the last hours of Jesus.
It remains to be seen whether Gibson can repeat his success with a subtitled film.