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The Passion of the Christ director is currently working on Apocalypto, which he hopes to start shooting in October, the Associated Press reports. And like his blockbuster Passion, this story also will be told in an archaic language – this time an obscure Mayan dialect.
Gibson will finance Apocalypto himself, but Disney is releasing it to American audiences. If the upcoming film is half as popular as The Passion of the Christ, it will be a huge success: Passion was one of 2004's most profitable movies, taking in $370 million at U.S. box offices.
While Passion's extreme violence in depicting the last few hours of Jesus's life rankled some critics, Christian audiences flocked to see the film's religious message.
Apocalypto reportedly will be shot in Mexico using largely unknown actors, and a summer 2006 release is expected. "We plan for this to be an anchor of our summer schedule," a Disney chairman said. The studio has previously worked with Gibson on Signs and Ransom.
Gibson is remaining tight-lipped about the film's plot, but he is not expected to appear in the movie.
