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Mel Gibson Shooting New Mystery Film in Veracruz, Mexico

by Alex Billington
December 7, 2009

Is everyone ready for another Mel Gibson-directed period movie? THR is reporting a very odd bit of news tonight. Apparently the governor of Veracruz, Mexico revealed that part of the Ignacio Allende prison will be emptied in January "because a grand production will be filmed there with our friend, the actor and producer Mel Gibson." This is apparently the first time this project has ever been mentioned publicly. Gibson visited the prison back in April of 2008 and part of Apocalypto was also shot in Veracruz back in 2005. While this isn't official, I'm guessing this means Gibson is preparing to direct another film soon. But what is it about?

Kirk over on We Are Movie Geeks has a good idea of what this might be about. He did a bit of searching and discovered a story about political prisoner named Jesús Arriaga on the Veracruz Wikipedia. Here's his story:

"Jesús Arriaga, better known as “Chucho el Roto,” was held at Fort San Juan de Ulúa where he died. It is not known if he died of natural causes, as a result of a fight with other prisoners or by other means. Chucho was a Robin Hood figure who lived during the 19th century. He stole from the rich and gave to the poor, inspiring songs and poetry such as the verses penned by Rafeal de Zayas Enriquez. Chucho was arrested in Querétaro after a jewelry store heist. He was sent to the Belen Prison in Mexico City, then to Veracruz. He was also renowned as a seducer of women, especially those who were rich and lonely. Most of his targets were jewelry shops, pawnshops and the homes of the wealthy."

Or there's the possibility that it might be about Ignacio Allende, the man who the prison that Gibson will be shooting at is named after. He has a very interesting story as well that could make for a good Gibson movie:

"[Ignacio Allende] was a captain of the Spanish Army in Mexico who came to sympathize with the Mexican independence movement. He attended the secret meetings organized by Josefa Ortiz de Domínguez, where the possibility of an independent New Spain was discussed. He fought along with Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla in the first stage of the struggle, eventually succeeding him in leadership of the rebellion. Allende was captured by Spanish colonial authorities while he was in Chihuahua and executed for treason."

My first thought reading that story is something like V for Vendetta meets Apocalypto. I remember the buzz around Apocalypto was also kind of vague like this. No one knew what it was about or what was going on until it was out in theaters. And I went to see it and actually remember enjoying it. I'd be more than happy to see Mel Gibson direct another period piece like that. And if it's about a political prisoner or revolutionary, I'm definitely in. We'll be sure to let you know if we hear anything else about this new mystery project. And if anyone sees anything about Mel Gibson directing another film down in Mexico soon, please let us know!

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