LOS ANGELES (AP) - Mel Gibson, who's being sued by a writer over payment for the "The Passion of the Christ" screenplay, wants to keep financial information about the blockbuster movie out of the public eye.
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(Photo: AP Images / Rene Macura, file)Actor Mel Gibson walks off the field after tossing a coin to begin the Hollywood Ashes Cricket match, in a Sunday, Jan. 20, 2008 file photo, in Van Nuys, Calif. Mel Gibson, who's being sued by a writer over payment for the 'The Passion of the Christ' screenplay, wants to keep financial information about the blockbuster movie out of the public eye.
Benedict Fitzgerald claimed in his February lawsuit that Gibson misled him into accepting a small payment for writing the script by saying the movie would cost between $4 million and $7 million.
Fitzgerald, who shared screenwriting credits with Gibson, claimed he agreed to "a salary substantially less than what he would have taken had he known the true budget for the film," which the lawsuit claimed was $25 million to $50 million. The lawsuit claims fraud, breach of contract and unjust enrichment, and seeks unspecified damages.
In court filings Tuesday, attorneys for Gibson and his production company asked the court to seal the movie's financial records and only allow Fitzgerald's lawyers access to them. The information details the movie's domestic and foreign box office receipts, production costs and distribution expenses.
The defense is also seeking to dismiss some of Fitzgerald's claims, including fraud, which if proven would allow Fitzgerald to seek punitive damages.
Copyright 2008 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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Taj,
Yes, I read this comment earlier; I did not understand why you were speaking of Israel?
Online,
Read mission123 comment
Taj,
"Actions for or against either Israel or the Catholic Church."
This article & those who are posting have said nothing of actions against Israel or the Catholic Church. I think you are confusing those here with perhaps your thoughts on an other article?
Sorry Online didn't mean to confuse you. Actions for or against either Israel or the Catholic Church.
"The person was just merely pointing out that the Jews and the Catholics look to actions being taken against Israel or the Catholic Church."
Huh? What actions?
I don't think the person was boasting I think the person was just pointing out the obvious. The Jewish people regardless of liberal, orthodox etc. has a special connection with Israel just like Catholics have with the Vatican. The person was just merely pointing out that the Jews and the Catholics look to actions being taken against Israel or the Catholic Church.
The real difference is the "gospel"; one preaches salvation by works and the other preaches – salvation in Christ alone!
Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him – Romans 5:9.
Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.
Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law – Romans 3:24-28.
I think Gibson once again show the divide between protestants and Catholics. Protestants are interested in the words/message while Catholics are interested in the actions. Protestants focus on the scriptural accuracies of the movie while Catholics focus on the actions. Gibson built a Catholic Church and put a lot of money into different Church activities, so Catholics are happy and Gibson went and talked a lot at different protestant churches so protestants are happy. It's like Ronald Reagan, a lot of protestants like him for his message- a great communicator while Catholics like the fact that he established diplomatic ties with the Vatican and gave them an official residence in Washington DC. It's just a different focus - words/messages vs. actions.
I just can't help but feel sick over these kinds of lawsuits; people suing each other for millions when the homeless still roam the streets, single mothers are left to fend for themselves, and people are falling into deeper financial holes.. I don't even know what I would do with $4 million, let alone 5 times that.. Shame on you Fitz and Mel.
We hope these people would finalize a financial settlement soon and reconcile once and for all. Their harvest seems to go on and on and on –every year Easter weekends since the movie debuted in 2004.
The Passion of the Christ earned $25 million per day in its first five days of release and in short order became the highest-grossing R-rated film ever made.
The movie grossed a little above $610,000,000 worldwide and is currently the thirty-sixth highest-grossing film and the highest-grossing R-rated film of all time.
In Indonesia it was a very big success along with several Muslim majority nations.
Taj,
You are right; the article is speaking of “"a salary substantially less than what he would have taken had he known the true budget for the film," which the lawsuit claimed was $25 million to $50 million.”
However, I was speaking of what others have posted here along with their questions. Why do you continue to use the word hate? Yes, this movie has touched many lives; praise God for that; all some have said here, is that it could have been better if it had stuck to the original storyline of scripture. That could be said of all movies trying to depict the life of Christ.
truthandjustice1
Re:What are the serious issues being discussed in this article again?
It is all about Mel Gibson's love of meney and his writer, Benedict Fitzgerald's love of money.
1 Timothy 6:10
"For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows."
Bring all your hate. The people involved in this movie tried to bring glory to our Lord and Savior and all you want to do is tear them down. What are the serious issues being discussed in this article again?
Truthandjustice,
You seem to have a lot of hate in your heart, why? Bring it? Bring what?
The most frustrating part of this whole conversation between catholics and christians is the inability or the lack of desire of catholics to defend what they believe. Its almost as if you have decided what is truth by matter of comfort or opinion, almost like the question of what is your favorite color, as if there is no ultimate truth in Christ or what He taught. There are clear statements in scripture and in what the catholic church teachs that are in in line with each other.
And the frustrating part is instead of looking at what color it is, you go stand in a corner and plug your ears and close your eyes saying "blue, its blue, the COLOR IS BLUE!!!"
Your welcome to do that if you like, God did give you freedom. But would you mind pluggin your ears and closing your eyes and screaming blue somewhere else???
TAJ, you have a very good point! I've noticed that for quite some time, I also what serious issues are in this article. It's just hatred plain and simple
And if tearing down the catholic church is mearly explaining its teachings then I feel sorry for any who follow it.
hahaha..this is so typical of Online4Him. Yes, you are right we should stop attacking Catholicism, people who follow the faith, and the works they create but we never will because that is the "Christian" thing to do. We will find any article related to Catholicism and its members and attack it. SAD, VERY SAD. What issues? This is an article about a Catholic writer (who has done other pro-Catholic works) wanting another Catholic writer to give him more money for work provided. It's sad that you have twisted this into "real issues". What real issues is this article dealing with??? It's just sad and pathetic that it is being used to attack Catholicism...not surprising though...Bring it!
Canadianchristian –
I praise God for your conversion! God can most certainly use any tool to speak to our hearts as you so well testified. Thank you for that!
Joe12234 & Seeking Zoe – “And stop this bickering between Catholicism & Protestantism”, “I'm sure others get weary of this constant back and forth bickering about and between Protestants and Catholics”
I agree with Seeking Zoe when he says, “others [we included] get weary” when discussing Catholicism & Protestantism. However, the issues are of supreme importance! The souls of men are hanging in the balances; as believers in Christ, we are compelled to preach the gospel according to the scriptures. The core issue is this: Should men put their trust in a “system of works” or in “Christ’s atoning sacrifice and righteousness alone”? As Joe12234 said, “Jesus is THE way, THE truth and THE life!!” – John 14:6. This is the message that I will continue to teach & preach!
Labeling passionate disagreements as “hatred” is a smokescreen to avoid the real issues being discussed. This is so absurd; should we use this word when discussing republicans & democrats, liberals & conservatives, etc.? Let’s address and discuss the issues without using these inappropriate tactics.
Fortunately, similar to the Spartans who held off diverse armies because they were united. The Catholics will hold off the different protestant and Muslim groups. They might appear united under Islam or Christianity, but are they really??....BRING IT!!
The movie, like Catholicism, has Jesus at the center. However, Mary is also an important figure. Some protestants here want to focus on Gibson's emphasis on Mary which is fine but they miss the title and the purpose of the movie. I guess they are so blinded by their hatred...very sad. Joe cries about the negativity, but here we are again discussing an article about Catholics (Gibson, Fiztgerald) discussing financial concerns about their Catholic movie and then low and behold other "Christians" show up and try to tear down Catholicism...hey Joe do you see a pattern developing?
I am a bible-believing Christian, have been for over two decades. I was raised Roman Catholic, but never found the Lord until I came away from the RCC. And I most certainly find the Catholic's worship of Mary particularly abhorrent. However, like canadianchristian, I came away from this movie overwhelmed by the reality of the physical suffering Jesus willingly took upon Himself as part of our redemption. I can never again read the biblical accounts of His crucification without reliving some of that horrific pain He bore for ME, a sinner. It has given me a much better understanding of how very real and personal His love must be.
Were the scenes violent? Yes, but then so was His torture. That was the whole point I think, to drive home the nature of His gift. And who among us would be willing to endure that kind of pain, given a choice, and as God He certainly had the ability to choose. How truly amazing is His grace!
I too only have a very fuzzy recollection of any other part of the movie. The depiction of His suffering and crucifixation stood out so strongly that the rest is a blur. If I had known ahead of time all these other issues involving Gibson and his beliefs, I might not have gone to see the movie. Therefore, I am glad I didn't know of them. For then I would have missed a truly convicting depiction of God's love.
Praise the Lord, canandianchristian, for His love and grace in your life. Maranatha!
Stop-the-madness,
Thanks for your reply, I agree we should never promote evil under any circumstance, we should expose it and rebuke it definitely! I am merely trying to point out that we should look for the light amongst the darkness- not actively look for the darkness, but if we come across darkness look for GOD'S light there- maybe HE has work for us, IN JESUS NAME
Stop-the-madness, I think maybe you missed the intent of my testimony...
I was lost in sin and doomed before I saw the movie, although the movie has many scriptural errors nonetheless it helped lead me to salvation.The movie did'nt turn me into a catholic, THE HOLY SPIRIT has shown me the truth by getting into GOD'S word on a daily basis and studying it.The LORD works in mysterious ways and HIS ways are not our's, I believe THE HOLY SPIRIT could use this movie to lead sinner's to CHRIST as HE did me. There was a story in Christian Post recently about a woman who found CHRIST while working as an exotic dancer- were she worked is an inherently evil place which does not glorify the LORD.
THE HOLY SPIRIT was able to reach her and bring her to CHRIST, don't doubt the power of GOD to reach sinners, I am proof of that- and by all means compare everything to the word of GOD like the Berean's did, you can't go wrong if you do that and don't forget to disciple new christians so they are not led astray, may GOD BLESS YOU ALL.
I feel much like Canadian Christian. I was a borderline Christian before I saw the movie and I still have to force myself to watch it because it causes so much emotional distress. How can anyone, Protestant or Catholic think this movie was made and promoted as a vehicle to glorify Mary? The movie was titled "The Passion of the Christ" not...the Suffering of Mary. And how could Gibson have eliminated to Mother of God from the movie, just to placate Protestants? Remember folks: It's not about you or me or the man in the moon, it's about the worship of Jesus Christ.
Personally, I , and I'm sure others get weary of this constant back and forth bickering about and between Protestants and Catholics as to who is the better believers and worshipers of the LORD.And by the way, If it weren't for the split from the Eastern Church, neither Catholicism nor it's off-shoot;Protestantism would exist today. We're ALL God's children, so maybe the "sibling rivalry" should cease...no?
canadianchristian:
Thank you very very much for your courage to share your story and I rejoice in your redemption!!!
I think we can and should celebrate when movies like this bring people to saving grace of Jesus!!
And stop this bickering between Catholicism and Protestantism. Jesus is THE way, THE truth and THE life!!
Allow me to give a personal testimony,
Before seeing the passion I was an unbeliever and hopelessly lost due to a divorce and the financial stress/children custody issue's etc... About 2 months prior to seeing the movie I started praying to GOD to help me -to show me HE cared, I did this nightly and waited on GOD.
I rented the movie and it hit me like a sledgehammer into the heart- to get an idea of what CHRIST bore for me drove me to my knee's in tears. With tears running down my cheeks I thanked JESUS for bearing my sin's on the cross, I invited HIM into my heart and to be my savior forever, I have repented of many sin's I once had(drunkeness,whoring,lying,etc.) I strive to be in the WORD daily, the HOLY SPIRIT guides my walk, I still battle against sin but now I have the COMFORTER living inside me! Although I had been witnessed too in the past about CHRIST I never accepted HIM at that time- this movie was the straw that broke the camel's back(so to speak), the movie helped lead me to salvation.
I don't recall seeing Mary being promoted in the movie- just a mother's sorrow. It was'nt the other imagery of the movie that I noticed, it was the pain and suffering that CHRIST bore .
All I know is that GOD used this movie to reach this unworthy sinner and lead me to CHRIST- I am probably not alone in this fact either, now I work for GOD THE FATHER, JESUS CHRIST, AND THE HOLY SPIRIT, AMEN
May GOD bless you all in your walk, keep your eyes forever fixed on JESUS, IN HIS NAME !!!
So....now we have the apologists for Mary and "The Passion?" What is going on, here. By his own admission, Gibson stated that the film's PRIMARY motive was to promote the worship of Mary, in keeping in line with his Catholic beliefs. Secondly, the Scripture never gives us any indication that the crucifixion and other related scenes from "The Passion" were like they were, and you can argue all day long that it was true, but the film was far too violent. Maybe the writers of Scripture were given the inspiration NOT to dwell on the details of the crucifixion. There are many other resources for that. Lastly, the specific resources for the film were taken from specific Catholic sources and not the Biblical record.
So...we now have apologists for false prophets and a defense of Hollywood, just because it was an alleged account of Jesus?
C'mon folks...C'mon doc...C'mon....Let's use our God-given discretion, here.
What is Gibson afraid of? Why can't he disclose the profits made by "The Passion?" Especially as it profited his Catholic beliefs and nothing else.
REPENT, FOR THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS AT HAND!!!!
“The bible is the only way only became popular during the protesting reformation.”
The principle of elevating God’s Word above the traditions or words of men was long established before the Reformation.
Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you – Deuteronomy 4:2.
What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it – Deuteronomy 12:32.
Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar – Proverbs 30:6.
To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them – Isaiah 8:20.
. . . ,and the scripture cannot be broken; - John 10:35.
Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth – John 17:17.
As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction – 2Peter 3:16.
And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book – Revelation 22:19.
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart – Hebrews 4:12.
Gibson produced a movie rooted in his Catholic beliefs. Was it his fault that protestant leaders encouraged all their followers to go see the movie? I remember seeing the movie in the theater with a group and their pastor (like many other throughout the country) stated how accurate it was, but yet these people would be the first people to condemn our rosary etc. Why should any Catholic apologize that it wasn't 100% based on scripture? The bible is the only way only became popular during the protesting reformation. Gibson isn't about to apologize for being a Catholic and trying to promote his faith and I'm sure not going to do it either.
1 Timothy 6:10
"For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows."
Just so sad that this has to end up in a court case... Where is the christian testimony from both of them?
C'mon folks. Read the history books. What the movie portrayed for Christ sufferrings was probably very accurate. The torture He went through in the movie was not outside of what has been reported. And one would think that Christ probably got worse than most because of who He said was and because He was right. He wanted to show what He willingly endured for us. As gut wrenching as the movie was, if it was inaccurate it's because of being too soft.
As for not seeing it because it was not Biblically accurate, then I guess that person never sets foot in the theatre. Besiides, if he never saw it he really can't comment on what was in it and why someone who did see it shouldn't have. It's not like we are talking about a porn movie that we are certain is wrong because it's perverted on purpose.
Also, I took my kids to Horton Hears a Who today. Pretty sure it was not a literal Biblical account. But it was VERY entertaining and even had some great lessons regarding the value of life and that there is more to life on Earth that what we can see, smell, taste and touch. But maybe I shouldn't have gone in there because it was not right from the Bible.
The Passion had some Hollywood in it just like nearly every Bible movie. Even the Jesus Film has a causcasian Jesus with a British accent, which is not likely. Yet, that movie is winning people to Christ all over the world. But beware, it's not red letter perfect!
If you really want to get into accuracy, maybe we should start burning some traditional Protestan translations of the original Biblical texts than some churches say are the ONLY Bibles from God. Yet, most Biblical scholars will laugh at that. Even logic contradicts the accuracy of an English text for the ancient church. Some words in the original language don't even have English translations to match . . . Is that anti-Biblical? NON-Biblical?
There is nothing wrong with non-biblical imagery as long as it's not anti-biblical imagery. Good grief, the Bible states that Jesus was scourged, carried his cross, and was crucified in a matter of a few verses. Gotta kinda stretch that out to a couple of hours for a movie. And there was not an alleged exaggeration of Mary as many claim. It was a very realistic portrayal of a Jewish mother.
What do you expect seeing that Gibson is a Roman Catholic. I didn't go see the movie nor will I ever because of the anti-biblical scenes in the movie.
Did you like the inuendo of the greatness of Mary and her presence even above Christ's in this movie...I liked it but it had several very roman catholic tendencies scattered all throughout.