Gibson softens 'Passion' for Easter 2005 release

[Guest LdySphynx]

Gibson softens 'Passion' for Easter release.

[glow=red,2,300]Would you consider him Smart or just plain Greedy???[/glow]

Mel Gibson will release a new, low-violence version of his 2004 mega-hit The Passion of the Christ next month, Daily Variety reports.

The star, dubbed Hollywood's most powerful figure since the huge success of the low-budget, graphically gory film, is trimming five to six minutes of violent scenes ahead of the film's March 11 reappearance on United States screens.

The original film raked in $474 million in its North American run that began on Ash Wednesday one year ago.

But Gibson noted that many people had avoided the film because of its grisly portrayal of Jesus Christ being tortured by Roman troops.

"There has been quite a demand by the religious community to bring [the film] back for Easter," Bruce Davey, Gibson's partner at Icon Productions, told Variety.

"And there has been a lot of discussion about the violence. Mel wanted to try and accommodate those people by making a version that is softer and gentler.

The film, The Passion Recut, will be beamed onto 500 to 750 screens by distributor Newmarket Films, Variety said, adding that the new versions would not be lumbered with an audience age restriction.

The new less violent version of the film goes easier on the brutal details of the last days of Christ.

"There are no new scenes, and the cuts are limited to the more violent aspects of the film, if that's the right term. The scourging scene in particular has been substantially adjusted," Mr Davey said.

The film caused huge controversy in the United States, with Jewish leaders accusing the devoutly-Catholic Gibson of anti-Semitism by portraying Jews as responsible for Christ's death, a charge he denied.

But instead of keeping audiences away, the controversy at the bloody religious epic helped draw people into theatres, despite a mimimum of traditional publicity.

[ryan2772]

i think he's the antichrist

[Guest slamminshaun]

Smarts and greed had nothing to do with it. Michael Moore, on the other hand, is already planning a sequel to his film 9/11 (to capitalize on the popularity) as to line his pockets further with cash (as if $50 million wasn't enough).

Gibson has not, to my knowledge, said anything to the effect that he is going to do other biblical films (which would do him well financially if he did).

[ryan2772]

Smarts and greed had nothing to do with it. Michael Moore' date=' on the other hand, is already planning a sequel to his film 9/11 (to capitalize on the popularity) as to line his pockets further with cash (as if $50 million wasn't enough).

[/quote']

we're not talking about michael moore

[Guest slamminshaun]

Ok then, back to Gibson. I'd say greed has nothing to do with it considering Gibson risked $30 million of his own money to produce the film. Everyone told him it would flop, but he didn't care. He felt it was his "mission" to create the film, regardless of profit.

Very few actors in Hollywood would ever make such a risky investment. It's hard to believe, but some people are motivated by other factors.

[ryan2772]

Ok then' date=' back to Gibson. I'd say greed has nothing to do with it considering Gibson risked $30 million of his own money to produce the film. Everyone told him it would flop, but he didn't care. He felt it was his "mission" to create the film, regardless of profit.

Very few actors in Hollywood would ever make such a risky investment. It's hard to believe, but some people are motivated by other factors.

[/quote']

i don't know :-\....i saw his acceptance speech at the people's choice awards...he never thanked God

[Guest shannon_coolj.]

I didn't think the film was that gory.

I mean, come on...with all the violent films out there, I've seen much worse.

[Bling]

havent even seen it yet........ yes i live in a bubble

[Guest LeVeL]

I have to get me the Passion of the Christ till this day I haven't bought this film.

Its a must have in my opinion

[tgibson]

I didn't think the film was that gory.

I mean, come on...with all the violent films out there, I've seen much worse.

The craziest part is that no matter how gory the film was, you have to know that the actual occurences were far worse!

[MIRZA1414779019]

Smarts and greed had nothing to do with it. Michael Moore, on the other hand, is already planning a sequel to his film 9/11 (to capitalize on the popularity) as to line his pockets further with cash (as if $50 million wasn't enough).

we're not talking about michael moore

lol Shaun you are a trip.

[Guest JMT]

all i want to know is when the hell can we expect Lethal Weapon 5? I love that franchise.

[Guest slamminshaun]

Smarts and greed had nothing to do with it. Michael Moore, on the other hand, is already planning a sequel to his film 9/11 (to capitalize on the popularity) as to line his pockets further with cash (as if $50 million wasn't enough).

we're not talking about michael moore

lol Shaun you are a trip.

Me and Rush Limbaugh came to see you last Friday night, but you weren't at the D....