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Fox doesnt want gibson film { August 30 2003 } Original Source Link: (May no longer be active)    http://www.nytimes.com/2003/08/30/movies/30PASS.html http://www.nytimes.com/2003/08/30/movies/30PASS.html August 30, 2003 Caution Greets Gibson's Jesus Film By LAURA M. HOLSON LOS ANGELES, Aug. 29 — Mel Gibson is expected to show some major studios a version of his controversial movie about the crucifixion of Jesus by mid-September in the hope of finding a distributor, Hollywood executives said today. But one studio, 20th Century Fox, which usually releases Mr. Gibson's movies, has already said no. Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation, which owns Fox, released a statement late on Wednesday saying it was not interested in distributing the film, "The Passion." Many executives in Hollywood say that Mr. Gibson's movie, which chronicles in bloody detail the last hours of Jesus' life, is potentially inflammatory and not commercial enough for a high-profile mainstream studio like Fox. Mr. Gibson financed the film himself through his own film company, Icon Productions. Last spring both Roman Catholic and Jewish groups began looking into the film, which was shot in Rome for about $25 million. Since then, many of them have spoken out against it, some charging that Mr. Gibson is an advocate of a more old-fashioned Catholicism than is generally practiced today. An early version of the movie, which has dialogue in Aramaic and Latin and no subtitles, was shown to religious and focus groups. On Thursday, a small group of protesters led by Assemblyman Dov Hikind, a Democrat from Brooklyn, gathered in front of News Corporation's Manhattan headquarters on the Avenue of the Americas to protest the release of "The Passion," suggesting that it would incite anti-Semitic violence. The threat of that protest prompted News Corporation to release its statement saying it would not distribute the film, said an executive who was briefed on the situation. "Icon told us that it has a number of alternative distribution options that it is pursuing," Florence Grace, a spokeswoman for Fox, said today. "In light of this, Fox and Icon agreed late last week that Fox will not be involved in the release of the film." Fox has the first right of refusal for all films produced by Icon Productions. "Rupert Murdoch doesn't need the aggravation," said an entertainment executive who spoke on the condition of anonymity because his studio might be considering the film himself. Fox's declining to distribute the movie was first reported today in The Daily News in New York. International Creative Management, the Hollywood talent agency that represents Mr. Gibson and is helping him find a United States distributor, has begun approaching some major studios like Warner Brothers and Miramax to see if they are interested in seeing the movie, the entertainment executive said. Executives for Icon have also been talking to smaller distributors. Alan Nierob, a spokesman for Mr. Gibson, said that Fox executives had seen an early version of the film, but that the final version was still not complete. "He has to finish it first," Mr. Nierob said, referring to Mr. Gibson. "He's got to do the music. It's almost ready to be shown." Mr. Nierob said the film might be best suited for a small boutique distributor. But he added, "Icon is going to dictate the terms." He said those terms have yet to be worked out by International Creative Management, which is handling the negotiations. Copyright 2003 The New York Times Company

Adl attacks gibson film { July 22 2003 } Adl concern gibson film { August 11 2003 } Adl stance on passion questioned { November 14 2003 } Critics apologise to mel Film distributed independently europe { October 10 2003 } Fox doesnt want gibson film { August 30 2003 } French jews failed to get passion banned { March 29 2004 } Furor just before gibson passion opens Gibson breaks hollywood 10 commands { March 17 2004 } Gibson spewing anti semitism Gibson to delete a scene in passion { February 4 2004 } Gibsons passion hit among arabs { April 4 2004 } Jewish leaders condemn gibson films depiction of jews { January 22 2004 } Lightning strikes gibsons christ Mel gibson movie causes stir { August 2 2003 } Mel gibsons father says holocaust was exaggerated { February 19 2004 } Mostile mood awaits gibson passion in france Passion a hit in beirut damascus Passion gets special treatment in egypt { April 1 2004 } Passion returns to box office for easter Passion works miracles at box office { March 30 2004 } Pastor creates furor with sign blaming jews { February 26 2004 } Pope dod not endorse movie says aide Pope says it is as it was { December 17 2003 } Vatican thumbs up Weary french get film distribution thanks to arab { March 2 2004 } Who killed jesus Will hollywood snub passion or fahrenheit 911 Files Listed: 28

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