Mel Gibson's 'Apocalypto' now

The antipodean superstar is all set to start work on a new historical epic.

Jul 22 2005

Having taken a break from filmmaking following the global phenomenon of 'The Passion of the Christ', Mel Gibson has announced that he is now ready to get back behind the camera.

And it seems that the Oscar-winning superstar will again plunder the past with his new project, the intriguingly titled 'Apocalypto'.

Set in an ancient civilisation some 3,000 years ago, the film will apparently be full of action and violence, but will have no religious theme this time around.

Aside from that, little is known of the project, apart from the fact that it will probably net the writer director a tidy sum of money.

The reason being that, much like the lucrative deal he struck with Newmarket Films for 'The Passion of the Christ', Gibson will finance the project himself, with Disney distributing for a fee.

And considering that film grossed more than $600million worldwide, making it the most successful independent film of all time, you don't have to be Carol Vorderman to work out that this will be a good deal for Gibbo.

The 'Braveheart' director has already begun preproduction and scouted locations for 'Apocalypto', with a release planned for summer 2006.

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