“Passion” a box-office smash, Gibson considering making another film about faith

Washington D.C., Feb 29, 2004 / 22:00 pm

Mel Gibson’s “The Passion of the Christ” has become a box-office smash in the United States, bringing in 117.5 million dollars in its first five days, according to studio estimates Sunday.  The film post the second-best five-day figures for a movie opening on Wednesday, behind last year's "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" at $124.1 million and ahead of "Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace" at $105.6 million.

“The Passion” was also the seventh-best three-day opening ever, behind "Spider-Man" at $114.8 million and such Hollywood blockbusters as "The Matrix Reloaded" and the first two "Harry Potter" movies.

Despite the sometimes vicious attacks by critics, Mel Gibson has begun considering his next Project which, according to his associates, may focus on the story of a martyr.

The success of the movie has rocked the film-making industry because of its limited marketing and exaggerated controversy.  Film critics were especially polarized, with a little more than half praising the film and the rest mercilessly attacking Gibson’s work.

Nevertheless, turnout was massive at cinemas across the country and online forums such as Yahoo! were inundated with positive comments on the movie.

Sources with ICON Productions informed CNA that the response has been so positive that despite the attacks, Gibson is considering the possibility of making another movie that would promote Christian values.

This time it could be the story of a Jesuit martyr whose name was not revealed.