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Los Angeles - Mel Gibson is trying to put his past behind him.
The action-movie actor and director, who has made past headlines with anti-Semitic rants, is to direct a movie based on the story of the ancient Jewish hero Judah Maccabee, who led a revolt against the Greek-Syrian armies that conquered Judea in the second century BC and is commemorated in the festival of Hanukkah.
According to trade website Deadline.com, Gibson has teamed with screenwriter Joe Eszterhas (Basic Instinct, Flashdance) to write the script for the yet-untitled drama, which will be made by Warner Bros.
There was no indication of whether Gibson plans to star in the film or where the movie will be shot.
Gibson had reportedly wanted to make the film about the ancient heroic Jews even prior to his 2006 arrest for drunken driving, which sparked a notorious anti-Semitic tirade in which he hurled slurs at police officers and accused Jews of being responsible for all the world's wars.
Gibson's past movies include the Passion of the Christ, which was condemned by Jewish groups for stoking anti-Semitism by blaming Jews for the death of Jesus Christ.
On Friday, the Anti-Defamation League, a Jewish organisation that fights anti-Semitism, condemned the new movie plans.
"It would be a travesty to have the story of the Maccabees told by one who has no respect and sensitivity for other people's religious views," the ADL said in a statement.
"While we do not argue with Mel Gibson's right to make this film, we still strongly believe that Warner Bros should reconsider Gibson's involvement in this project."
The action-movie actor and director, who has made past headlines with anti-Semitic rants, is to direct a movie based on the story of the ancient Jewish hero Judah Maccabee, who led a revolt against the Greek-Syrian armies that conquered Judea in the second century BC and is commemorated in the festival of Hanukkah.
According to trade website Deadline.com, Gibson has teamed with screenwriter Joe Eszterhas (Basic Instinct, Flashdance) to write the script for the yet-untitled drama, which will be made by Warner Bros.
There was no indication of whether Gibson plans to star in the film or where the movie will be shot.
Gibson had reportedly wanted to make the film about the ancient heroic Jews even prior to his 2006 arrest for drunken driving, which sparked a notorious anti-Semitic tirade in which he hurled slurs at police officers and accused Jews of being responsible for all the world's wars.
Gibson's past movies include the Passion of the Christ, which was condemned by Jewish groups for stoking anti-Semitism by blaming Jews for the death of Jesus Christ.
On Friday, the Anti-Defamation League, a Jewish organisation that fights anti-Semitism, condemned the new movie plans.
"It would be a travesty to have the story of the Maccabees told by one who has no respect and sensitivity for other people's religious views," the ADL said in a statement.
"While we do not argue with Mel Gibson's right to make this film, we still strongly believe that Warner Bros should reconsider Gibson's involvement in this project."
