Mel Gibson buys Dendy Cinema chain

Hollywood actor Mel Gibson has succeeded in his quest to take control of the Dendy Cinema chain, claiming the prize for $21 million after a drawn out and bloody takeover battle.

Entertainment company Becker Group announced on Friday that it had sold the cinema chain, known for its preference for screening art-house flicks, to Mr Gibson's company Icon Film Distribution Pty Ltd.

About 75 per cent of Becker Group was recently acquired by regional television broadcaster Prime Media Group Ltd for about $24 million.

As part of that deal, Becker's film assets, including the Dendy chain, were supposed to be sold back to major Becker shareholders Russell and Richard Becker for $15.5 million.

But the sale was scrapped last year after another company associated with Mr Gibson, Dolphete Pty Ltd, threw a spanner in the works by convincing the Takeovers Panel to intervene.

Dolphete accused Prime and Becker of acting in concert and not giving Becker shareholders enough information about the cinema asset sale.

At the time, Prime and Becker had similar interests, with hospital magnate Paul Ramsay holding 41 per cent of Prime and 19 per cent of Becker.

Dolphete was understood to be behind a counter bid for Becker shares, but it was unable to stop Prime taking control of the group despite more rumblings to the Takeovers Panel.

Becker said the sale of the Dendy Cinemas and its film distribution assets to Icon marked the conclusion of a competitive bidding process.

"Icon was selected based on various parameters including value, timing and transaction certainty," Becker said.

Becker managing director Warwick Syphers, who is also head of Prime, said Becker would now focus on growing its television production assets.

Prime shares closed unchanged at $3.50 after rising as high as $3.60.

Dendy operates six cinemas: two in Sydney, two in Melbourne, one in Brisbane and one in Canberra.

Writer Sues Mel Gibson Over 'Passion'

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A screenwriter sued Mel Gibson and his production company on Monday, claiming he was misled by the actor-director into accepting a small payment for writing "The Passion of the Christ," and was refused extra money when the film became a blockbuster.

Benedict Fitzgerald claimed that when he was asked to write a script about the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, Gibson told him the movie would cost between $4 million to $7 million, according to the lawsuit filed in Superior Court. Fitzgerald also alleged Gibson promised he wouldn't receive any money from the film and any profit would be distributed to people who worked on the movie.

Gibson stated he didn't want "money on the back of what he considered a personal gift to his (Roman Catholic) faith," the lawsuit said.

Fitzgerald, who shared screenwriting credits with Gibson, claimed he agreed to a "a salary substantially less than what he would have taken had he known the true budget for the film," which the lawsuit claimed had an estimated budget of $25 million to $50 million. The 2004 movie went on to gross several hundred million dollars.

The lawsuit doesn't specify how much Fitzgerald was paid for his services.

An after-hours call to Gibson's publicist was not immediately returned.

The suit claims fraud, breach of contract, unjust enrichment and seeks unspecified damages. It also names Gibson's Icon Productions company as a defendant.

Mel Gibson to attend IFTAs

Mel Gibson is to receive an award at this year's IFTAs for 'outstanding contribution to world cinema'.

The Australian actor and director will attend the Irish Film & Television Awards ceremony in Dublin's Gaiety Theatre on February 17.

Gibson has starred in over 48 film and television productions in the last three decades and is also the co-founder of Icon Productions. Having made a name for himself acting in blockbusters like Mad Max and Lethal Weapon, he made his directorial debut in 1993. Since then, he has gone on to helm some of the biggest productions of the past couple of years, including Braveheart, The Passion Of The Christ and Apocalypto.

Mel Gibson has Irish connections on both his mother’s and father’s side. His late mother, Anne Patricia Reilly, was born in Co. Longford and his great grandfather on his father’s side was Patrick Mylott, who moved from Ireland to Australia in the late 1800s to escape the potato famine.

Mel is named after the Church of Saint Mel in Longford, his mother’s birthplace, while his middle name, Colmcille, is that of the diocese where his mother was born and also the name of a well-known Irish saint.

Mel speaks on the death of Heath Ledger

Nicole Kidman and Mel Gibson have become the first stars to speak publicly about fellow Aussie Heath Ledger's shock death.

The actor, 28, was found dead at his apartment in New York on Tuesday and Kidman admits the tragedy has left her heartbroken.

In a brief statement, the actress says: "What a tragedy. My heart goes out to his family."

Gibson, who played the actor's father in 'The Patriot', states: "I had such great hope for him. He was just taking off, and to lose his life at such a young age is a tragic loss."

Leading movie news source, Clint Morris, reveals Ledger's fellow Australians have been left stunned by the news of the actor's sudden death.

Movie producer Morris, the man behind revered website MovieHole.net, says: "The whole of Australia is in deep shock. I liked Heath. He was a good guy. Loved his daughter. Knew his sister too."

Mel's in the UK

Fellow audience members at the gala performance of Viva La Diva were surprised to find Hollywood megastar Mel Gibson in their midst on Monday night. The Braveheart actor, who was in London on business, clearly enjoyed the all-singing all-dancing spectacle performed by Welsh opera beauty Katherine Jenkins and ballet dancer Darcey Bussell. "They are both amazing talents," he enthused. "I sat there with a smile on my face the whole time."

"Some numbers in that show really took me back," added the screen action hero. "I've loved those songs since being a little boy." Later, at the show's after-party in Hammersmith's Carling Apollo the 51-year-old, accompanied by a burly bodyguard, was seen talking animatedly to Katherine. The singer, who was given a standing ovation by her proud mum at the end of the show, performed opera pieces made famous by Maria Callas, several Doris Day hits and a new song especially written by Take That's Gary Barlow, as well as displaying her new tap-dancing skills.

Also rubbing shoulders with Mel at the party were fellow celebrity guests Dawn French – who famously danced with Darcey in an episode of The Vicar Of Dibley – Jennifer Saunders, Rolf Harris, Sir Trevor McDonald, cellist Julian Lloyd Webber and Welsh designer Julien Macdonald, who created the show's costumes.

Such is the demand for tickets to see the production – which pays tribute to Katherine and Darcey's favourite divas, from Audrey Hepburn to Marilyn Monroe - that extra dates have been added to the tour next year. There are even plans to take the show to Las Vegas, despite the fact that Darcey and her husband Angus Forbes are moving to Australia with their two daughters Phoebe and Zoe after Christmas.

Mel Gibson Visits Costa Rica

SAN JOSE, Costa Rica (AP) — Mel Gibson met with several Costa Rican government ministers to discuss setting up a film production company in the Central American country.

The 51-year-old actor/director met Tuesday with the ministers of commerce, tourism and economy at an exclusive hotel in the Costa Rican capital of San Jose.

"I'm here exploring opportunities to establish my film business in Costa Rica," Gibson told Channel 13 on Wednesday.

Gibson, star of Hollywood blockbusters such as the "Lethal Weapon" series and director of last year's Mayan epic "Apocalypto," said he is considering Costa Rica because "it's a beautiful country, very stable."

"I like its people a lot and they have very good coffee."

Gibson already owns a house in Guanacaste on the country's Pacific coast.

In July, he met with Costa Rican President Oscar Arias to discuss making a financial donation to the nation's Indians.

I LOVE THE PEOPLE THAT GO TO MY WEBSITE

DAMN HE LOOKS GOOD IN THAT PIC!!!

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THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE LINK TO THE PICTURES OF MEL AT THE GAME. I COMPLAINED BECAUSE OF THAT ASSHOLE ( AND YOU KNOW WHAT WEBSITE I AM TALKING ABOUT) CHOOSE TO POST A PIC OF MEL AND HIS SON AND WRITE A NEGATIVE COMMENT ALONG WITH THE PICTURE. THAT JUST WRONG, I HATE IT WHEN PEOPLE TAKE ADVANTAGE OF CELEBRITIES OR ANYONE ESPECIALLY THEIR CHILDREN. I AM A DEVOTED MEL GIBSON FAN TO THE END AND NO ONE WILL CHANGE MY MIND. THANK EVERYONE FOR KEEPING ME POSTED. LOVE YOU!

Film stars set for IPOof tire-recycling firm...way to go Mel

The actors Mel Gibson and Bruce Willis, part owners of the Malaysian tire-recycling group Green Rubber Global, will see their investment go public as it seeks to raise as much as £40 million in a share sale in Britain next year.

Mel goes to the movies

MEL GIBSON made a rare public appearance at the premiere of AMERICAN GANGSTER in Hollywood on Monday night (29Oct07) - because he hopes to work with all three of the film's "big players". The Braveheart star felt sure that showing Russell Crowe, Denzel Washington and director Ridley Scott his support would help him secure their services in future films. He quipped, "These three big players here... they're all friends of mine. I just wanted to see the movie and I'm an admirer of their work individually. I just want to see what they can cook up together you know. "Maybe I'd like to direct a movie with all of them in it, including Ridley."

Mel Gibson ranked first on a list of Hollywood's top Christians published by the spiritual Web site Beliefnet.com.


The list, "Hollywood's Most Powerful Christians," names 12 movers and shakers within the entertainment industry, including Patricia Heaton, Denzel Washington, Angela Bassett, Tyler Perry and Martin Sheen, who "are at the top of their game in movies or TV and are unabashed about proclaiming their Christian beliefs."

I'll move to Costa Rica with you Mel

MAD Max star Mel Gibson was put on kidnap alert yesterday over his new home in Costa Rica.

The actor plans to move his wife Robyn and their seven children to the £13million ranch 300 miles from the capital San Jose.

And he seems determined to ignore official US government warnings that the area is prime bandit country.

A State Department briefing claims all American visitors are “potential targets for criminals and kidnappers” and should never travel alone.

It adds: “Local law enforcement agencies have limited capabilities and do not operate according to US standards.”

And an American consular official said: “All US citizens should exercise extreme caution.”

But Mel, 51, has already upset locals. The previous owner employed 13 staff who rented houses on the estate. And they fear losing their jobs if he shuts down farming operations on the 402-acre spread.

Mel has already indicated he plans to use it for movie location shoots.

A business source close to the actor said: “Most locals are enthusiastic about their wealthy new neighbour but others are very worried about their livelihoods.

“He will need intense security for his family in an area where urban and tourist development is minimal and most of the inhabitants are poorly-paid farmers

“Unless they are closely guarded, Mel’s family could find themselves prime targets for bandits and thieves in an area where help will be a very long way away.”

Mel’s ranch spans a densely-wooded, mountainous area in Guanacaste province on Costa Rica’s northern Pacific coast.

He has sold a Malibu property for £15million and has also put his estate in Mianus, Connecticut, on the market for £20million to help finance the deal.

But it is likely the biggest opposition to the Costa Rica move could be closer to home.

A friend of Mel’s said: “The area where he’s chosen to live is hundreds of miles from real civilisation.

“His wife Robyn is not, to put it mildly, as keen as he is on going there.”

She is still reeling after her husband was sentenced to three years’ probation for drink-driving after being pictured in a bar with two blondes.

A magazine quoted a source close to Mel as saying: “Robyn has endured one humiliation after another. But moving to Costa Rica may be the last straw. She wants no part of it.”

He's such a Good Guy

SINGAPORE : Oscar-winning director and actor Mel Gibson has left Singapore after a three-day visit but not before leaving quite an impression.

Gibson donated S$25,000 to Kidz Horizon Appeal, a charity organisation that raises funds for children suffering from illnesses such as cancer and HIV.

He was in Singapore for the Forbes Global CEO Conference, which was held earlier this week.

But the Hollywood actor also took the opportunity to campaign for children suffering from chronic and terminal illness.

And his passion rubbed on to the CEO of Petra Group, Vinod Sekhar, and CEO of the True Group, Patrick Wee.

The two bosses increased their initial pledge of S$10,000 to S$25,000 each for Kidz Horizon Appeal. - CNA/ch

GIBSON LINKED WITH JUSTICE LEAGUE ALL-STAR CAST. WTF?

Hollywood star MEL GIBSON is tipped to reunited with MAD MAX director GEORGE MILLER in forthcoming superhero move JUSTICE LEAGUE. A number of A'list stars are being linked with the film, which unites comic book heroes Superman, Batman , Wonder Woman and Flash. Ryan Reynolds is expected star as Flash and Superman TV star Tom Welling is tipped to take the part to the big screen. Latest gossip suggests Miller is already on board to direct and wants to Gibson and Bruce Willis as villains Max Lord and Lex Luther. A studio source tells IESB.net that besides Gibson and Willis, Miller is also chasing Leonardo DiCaprio, Jake Gyllenhaal, Jessica Alba and Scarlett Johansson for roles in the movie.


Oh my!

Gibson film venture closes Sydney office

Six years ago, the Hollywood star and his producing partner, Bruce Davey, announced they were forming a production company with the leading talent agency Shanahan Management, which represents such A-listers as Nicole Kidman, Toni Collette and Geoffrey Rush.

Icon Shanahan Productions was launched at the same time as a new distribution operation, and there were high hopes that it could produce a new generation of Australian films for international audiences.

But the company has now closed its Sydney office - and its creative director, Sally Chesher, has departed - without a single Icon Shanahan film being made.

The closest it came was the part-financing of the drama The Black Balloon, by Icon's distribution and sales agency arms. Icon Shanahan brought Collette to the film, a coming-of-age story from the director Elissa Down which is due in cinemas early next year. Collette's co-stars include the model Gemma Ward, Rhys Wakefield and Luke Ford.

Before that, Icon was involved in a production venture with the Australian arm of 20th Century Fox that dissolved after three years without making a film. Even earlier, a planned partnership between Gibson and the producer Pat Lovell also led to nothing.

While Gibson and Davey have been successful producers in the US, making such movies as Braveheart, What Women Want, The Passion of the Christ and Apocalypto, they have come up bone dry in this country.

The chief executive of Icon's Australian operations, Mark Gooder, points to the difficulty of finding strong films that can work internationally.

"Everyone has good intentions to make as many films as they possibly can out of Australia," he says from Los Angeles. "But when it comes down to it, what are those stories that will resonate and travel overseas?

"… You talk to any producer and any studio in Australia. Are they all sitting on fantastic material that they're holding back from making? No.

"I think everyone finds it's a bit of a struggle to find strong material."

Gooder described the office closure as a "refocusing" rather than a withdrawal from Australian filmmaking. He will continue developing films from Los Angeles and has high hopes for Icon's chances under the Federal Government's new 40 per cent rebate for film production.

One project that has been in development and could still reach production, he says, is the romantic comedy/drama The Girl Most Likely, starring Pia Miranda.

Gibson outlines passion for saving forests

Gibson: ‘I’ve backed a lot of good causes – environmental and humanitarian’

KUALA LUMPUR: Oscar-winning actor and director Mel Gibson sprang a surprise when he attended a sponsorship-signing ceremony here yesterday for conservation of the rainforest.

The event was the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Petra Group and the Royal Society South-East Asia Rainforest Research Programme (SEARRP).

Petra will sponsor the latter's rainforest ecology research programme in Sabah (StarBiz: Petra plays its part in conservation)

Gibson, who last directed Apocalypto, which was set in an ancient Mayan jungle settlement, is on a two-week vacation in Malaysia. He was at the ceremony to lend his support to Petra Group's participation in the research programme on how to conserve the rainforest.

“I'm really proud and happy to be a witness to an agreement such as this. I've backed a lot of good causes – environmental and humanitarian,” he said.

He also cited a similar rainforest conservation project in El Mirador, Guatemala, which he strongly supported.

Petra Group president and chief executive officer Datuk Vinod Sekhar said the group had also “contributed in a small way” to the Guatemalan project.

Gibson also backs Green Rubber Global, a Petra Group unit in the United States that will operate a tyre recycling plant in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

He expressed his intention to visit the local rainforest and Danum Valley Field Centre, where the SEARRP programme is undertaken.

Australian Gibson got his first break in 1979 in Mad Max, and later in the United States with The Bounty (1984).

He is also famous for his work in the Lethal Weapon series with Danny Glover.

After spending more than two decades as a leading man, Gibson ventured into directing with Braveheart and was immediately recognised with two Oscars in 1996.

A serious filmmaker, he braves all sorts of controversies – both personal and professional – to make groundbreaking films such as The Passion of the Christ and Apocalypto.

Rumor has it

The film he’s in Costa Rica scouting locations for is “an epic about the Spanish explorer Vasco Nunez De Balboa.”

A quick google and we discover De Balboa was “a Spanish explorer, governor, and conquistador. He traveled to the New World in 1500 and, after some exploration, settled on the island of Hispaniola. He founded the settlement of Santa María la Antigua del Darién in present-day Panama in 1510, the first permanent European settlement on the mainland of the Americas (a settlement by Alonso de Ojeda at San Sebastián de Urabá the previous year had already been abandoned). He crossed the Isthmus of Panama to the Pacific Ocean in 1513, becoming the first European to lead an expedition known to have seen or reached the Pacific from the New World.”

I don't know how true this is, we just have to wait and see.

Damn He Looks Good

GUATEMALA CITY -- Mel Gibson dined with Guatemala's president and admired Mayan murals in the capital's cultural palace after a weekend jungle visit.

The 51-year-old actor-director visited the Palace of Culture on Monday, where President Oscar Berger showed him contemporary murals portraying aspects of Mayan life and the Spanish conquest.

Afterward, the two men had lunch at the presidential palace.

Gibson has visited the country many times as a tourist, said Krista Kepfer, a spokeswoman for Berger.

"He is very interested in Guatemala as a tourist destination and in the culture," she said.

Over the weekend, Gibson visited the Mayan ruins of El Mirador deep in the northern Peten jungle, Kepfer said.

The visit was private and neither Gibson nor Berger made any statements to the news media.

Mel Gibson is not losing his religion.

He keeps investing his "Passion of the Christ" money into the church he built in Agoura Hills, Calif.

Last year, Gibson parked another $8.2 million in his AP Reilly Foundation, the tax-free entity that takes care of his Holy Family Catholic Church.

Gibson's church is not recognized by the Roman Catholic Church because it does not acknowledge the authority of the pope or the Vatican or the doctrine known as Vatican II. Gibson and many of his fellow congregants are Holocaust deniers, as is Gibson's father, who has been known to contribute to neo-Nazi publications.

Gibson, nevertheless, perseveres. According to a federal tax filing obtained exclusively by this column, the foundation now has $30 million in its coffers, up from $22 million last year.

The church sits on about 11 acres of land owned by the Foundation and worth around $3 million, according to public documents.

Let's put this into perspective. Los Angeles Catholic Big Brothers and Big Sisters only has $1.6 million in its till. The Malibu Roman Catholic Church, which is recognized by the archdiocese, supports 600 families. It has a fraction of Holy Family's budget. But Holy Family is said to accommodate about 70 families altogether. That's quite a difference.

Thanks to "The Passion of the Christ" and his anti-Semitic rant last year when he was arrested in Malibu, Gibson is no longer a significant Hollywood player. But he obviously has money, and he is using it as he sees fit.

Me sells his beachfront home

Mel has sold his beachfront Malibu house for $30 million, it was reported Sunday.

The Australian native turned a $6 million sales gain on the property, which he purchased just a year ago, The Los Angeles Times reported.

The beachfront pad has six bedrooms, 10 bathrooms, lagoon pool, cabana, elevator and wine cellar.

Luck Ladies