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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!
23 Comments
1
cool.
Xerxex on Dec 7, 2009
2
If they ever do a bio movie on Osama Bin Laden, ^ Mel Gibson looks perfect for the role!
Kora Koranian on Dec 7, 2009
3
gibson = legend. can't wait.
crumb on Dec 7, 2009
4
Sorry but this artical about what Mel Gibson is going to direct or not as is next project is garbage its just stpeculation after speculation. 🙁
Cineprog on Dec 7, 2009
5
Whatever Mel touches (as a director) turns to gold.... I'm in!
Trip on Dec 7, 2009
6
not the biggest gibson fan, but can't say his movies have disappointed at all. but ya, looks like he's got a camel toe on his beard...
lego on Dec 7, 2009
7
apocalypto was simply astounding nice call on the cameltoe
twispious on Dec 7, 2009
8
Or it could simply be a film set in the present ... Whatever it is, I'm there ....
Hattori Hanzo on Dec 7, 2009
9
whatever it is, it will be good, he just doesnt turn out crap stories
Scott McHenry on Dec 7, 2009
10
if gibson is in then im in
samuel j on Dec 7, 2009
11
if your going to release an article based completely on theories then i am going to throw my hat into the ring. i reckon he is shooting a film about the spanish fighting in mexico during the 19th century. almost like an apocalypto sequel as that film showed them landing and the prison will act as a location for one of the scenes.
dan on Dec 7, 2009
12
Great to hear he's filming again.. why are u speculating that its going to be a story that surrounds the prisons history? He might simply be filming where he has experience filming and the prison is required for one specific shoot. In anycase, the second story you present is more interesting!
dom on Dec 7, 2009
13
please ladies and gentlemen be careful for mel gibson. he is very great actor and d?rector. all world th?s s?de mel g?bson is other s?de. we are waiting new f?lms from mel g?bson. my son and me love him. thank you mel g?bson for all your f?lms. we know you are good man. maybe one day we will see W?TH you , but I don't WHERE ? you are brother our family don't forget good lucks
ulya turgut on Dec 7, 2009
14
Is everyone ready for another Mel Gibson-directed period movie? >>Only if he keeps that beard. Man, look at that thing...it's awesome!!!
wm on Dec 7, 2009
15
Sounds like it will be full of slaughter, if there's one thing Gibbo does well, it's graphic violence, his stories are nonsense, but people like that. Comedy man, he's comedy. I'll never forgive him for Braveheart, 'freedom' my arse.
Crapola on Dec 7, 2009
16
Hey Alex, maybe this is the movie Mel was going to make about Spanish Explorer Vasco Núñez de Balboa, as announced in 2007: http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/16833/Mel-moves-to-jungle-to-tame-wild-life Back then he was location scouting in Central-America. The life, and especially the death, of Nunez de Balboa sounds like a Mel Gibson movie to me: " The executioner beheaded Balboa and his four friends with an axe. Balboa's head did not come off clean on the first try; it took three. Their heads remained in public display for several days, as a sign of Pedrarias' might", from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vasco_Núñez_de_Balboa. Sounds like quite a story, but I do think that even Mel Gibson would refrain from including the part where Núñez de Balboa had homosexual Indian indigenous people attacked by dogs...
Jules on Dec 7, 2009
17
Looked like Mel Gibson as Saddam Hussein.
"David Webb" on Dec 7, 2009
18
19
I actually live in Veracruz City and the Allende prison is looking rather good for a Mel Gibson film, thou uproars have been caused by what the governor said, many families find it hard to visit their prisoners/inmates/whatever they're called since the relacation. At the end of the day, I think I might just go ahead and apply for a job with Mel Gibson! (as if it was that easy, ha!) Well, I live somewhat close, just a 15 minute drive and I'll be close to the movie set, whatever it is, I can always help. 🙂
Liliana C N on Feb 4, 2010
20
some one knows the name a movie of mel gibson is gonna film in mexico , mel gibson rules in mexico we all love him
widowmaker on Feb 16, 2010
21
the casting company is using this name "Cómo emplee mis vacaciones de verano" How spent my Summer vacation!
beto on Apr 9, 2010
22
NEWS FLASH...Mel Gibson, Brad Pitt and Nicholas Cage are in Brownsville, Texas (half-hour from where I live) scoping the area for filming of a new film. It is rumored that the movie will be about the Mexican drug cartel. Wow!
belovedbreeze on Jun 8, 2010
23
film in veracruz is about an american being in a mexican prison and a young prisoner will help him through the ordeal telling him how to act and behave. just finished filming. i live in veracruz
tommytank on May 22, 2011
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