Mel Gibson to produce film on Jewish hero

LOS ANGELES — Mel Gibson, who reportedly made anti-Semitic remarks during a drunken-driving arrest five years ago, is now producing a film about the life of Jewish hero Judah Maccabee.

Gibson's publicist, Alan Nierob, told The Associated Press Friday that Gibson is working on a deal with Warner Bros. to develop the film through his company, Icon Productions. What Gibson's exact role will be — whether he might direct or even star in the film — hasn't been determined.

“Warner Bros. would like him to direct,” Nierob said. “He is the first choice for the studio to direct it, but until there's a deal in place and a script that's finished, it will be his choice as to whether to direct it or not.”

Joe Eszterhas of “Basic Instinct” and “Flashdance” fame is writing the script. No timetable is in place for it to be completed and for production to begin.

But Gibson's involvement with bringing Maccabee's story to the screen in any form has angered some Jewish leaders. Maccabee, who's acclaimed as one of the greatest warriors in Jewish history, helped inspire the celebration of Hanukkah.

“We would have hoped that Warner Bros. could have found someone better than Mel Gibson to direct or perhaps even star in a film on the life of the Jewish historical icon Judah Maccabee,” Abraham Foxman, national director of the Anti-Defamation League, said in a statement. “As a hero of the Jewish people and a universal hero in the struggle for religious liberty, Judah Maccabee deserves better.”

Nierob declined to respond to the backlash from Jewish leaders. Warner Bros. had not responded by Friday afternoon to a request for comment on the project itself or the negative reaction it has drawn.

Gibson has defended himself against accusations of anti-Semitism ever since his 2006 drunken driving arrest, in which a deputy's report revealed Gibson made Jewish and sexist slurs while in custody.