Mel Gibson Goes Apocalypto in Mexico

(andPOP) - Mel Gibson will start shooting his Mayan-language movie in Mexico next month.

Reuters reports that a plaid-wearing, full-bearded Gibson held a press conference in the eastern port city of Veracruz, which is near the jungle location where Apocalypto will be shot. Gibson wrote and will direct Apocalypto, an action thriller set in an ancient Mayan settlement.

Gibson said he was inspired by his fascination with ancient cultures and great civilizations to make this movie. He also revealed that the story deals with universal themes about "civilizations and what undermines them," but he did not reveal details about the plot.

Comingsoon.net reports that production is scheduled to begin on November 14. Set before the European conquest, the movie will star unknown Mexican actors. The shooting script is held closely under wraps, and the budget is also undisclosed.

Gibson, one of the most bankable stars in Hollywood and a devout Roman Catholic, had the greatest hit of his career with last year's The Passion of the Christ, the most successful independent film ever made. His depiction of the crucifixion of Christ grossed more than $600 million worldwide, despite the fact that the movie's dialogue was all in Latin and Aramaic. So the fact that all the dialogue in Apocalypto will be in the Yucatec dialect isn't necessarily box office suicide.

"Above all, film is a business," Gibson said. "Independence is a really cool thing as you can be a bit more bold, and take a few more chances with what you do."

After location-hunting in Guatemala, the Yucatan Peninsula and Costa Rica, Gibson settled on the Veracruz jungle to film the movie. His popularity in Mexico was boosted by his $1 million donation to hurricane victims.

"It's just great that he's making a film about Mayan culture," said one Veracruz native. "It's a neglected part of our heritage, and it makes us feel really proud."

"There's still a lot of mystery to the Mayan culture," said Gibson. "But when all is said and done, it's just the backdrop to what I'm doing - creating an action adventure of mythic proportions."

The film's title, Apocalypto, is a Greek word for an unveiling or a new beginning. It "just expresses so well that I want to convey," Gibson explained. "I think it's just a universal word. In order for something to begin, something has to end. All of those elements are involved. But it's not a big doomsday picture or anything like that." Well, Mel... we'll see.