Thursday • 2hr 29min

#2254 - Mel Gibson

The Joe Rogan Experience

Mel Gibson joins Joe Rogan to discuss his new film "Flight Risk", his career in Hollywood, his religious beliefs, and his upcoming project about the resurrection of Christ. The conversation covers a wide range of topics from filmmaking to faith, health, and society's current challenges.

#2254 - Mel Gibson

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Key Takeaways

Faith and Filmmaking: Gibson discusses his deep Christian faith and how it influences his filmmaking, particularly with The Passion of the Christ and his upcoming film about the resurrection
Hollywood Resistance: He faced significant resistance in Hollywood for The Passion of the Christ, having to self-fund and find independent distribution
Good vs Evil: Gibson sees clear manifestations of good and evil in society, particularly in institutions and power structures
Health and Recovery: He discusses his past struggles with alcohol addiction and his path to recovery through faith and spirituality
Creative Process: Provides insights into his approach to filmmaking, from conception to execution, particularly for films like Apocalypto

Introduction

Mel Gibson joins Joe Rogan to discuss his new film "Flight Risk", his career in Hollywood, his religious beliefs, and his upcoming project about the resurrection of Christ. The conversation covers a wide range of topics from filmmaking to faith, health, and society's current challenges.

Topics Discussed

Personal Health Challenges (0:24)

Gibson discusses his ongoing back issues, revealing he was born with scoliosis. He shares his perspective on dealing with physical pain and its impact on mental state.

Back Problems: Born with scoliosis and sustained various injuries over years
Impact of Pain: Discusses how chronic pain affects thinking and daily life
Treatment Approach: Prefers avoiding surgery due to potential complications

California Wildfires and State Management (3:15)

The conversation turns to the current wildfire situation in California, with Gibson's home potentially at risk.

Government Response: Critical discussion of California's management of wildfire prevention
Budget Priorities: Contrasts $24 billion spent on homeless issues versus minimal wildfire prevention
Personal Impact: Gibson's uncertainty about his home's status due to current fires

The Passion of the Christ and Hollywood Resistance (28:18)

Gibson shares the challenges he faced in making and distributing The Passion of the Christ.

Self-Funding: Had to personally finance the film due to lack of studio support
Distribution Challenges: Major studios refused to distribute the film
"Anyone just see what that guy did? Can't let that guy do that again" - Gibson describing Hollywood's reaction to the film's success
Religious Resistance: Faced opposition due to the film's Christian themes

Faith and Religious Beliefs (47:36)

Gibson discusses his Christian faith and views on evolution, good and evil.

Evolution Skepticism: Expresses doubt about evolutionary theory
Creation Belief: Believes humans were created by God relatively recently
Good vs Evil: Sees clear manifestations in modern society
"I think we're looking at a world where there are big realms, spiritual realms. There's good, there's evil, and they are slugging it out for the souls of mankind."

Addiction and Recovery (57:43)

Gibson opens up about his struggles with alcohol addiction and path to recovery.

Spiritual Solution: Credits faith for helping overcome addiction
AA Program: Discusses importance of spiritual aspects in recovery
"I regard the fact that I was able to appeal to something greater than myself to help me and actually stop me doing that. I think that's a miracle."

Upcoming Resurrection Film (1:12:43)

Gibson discusses his ambitious upcoming film about the resurrection of Christ.

Scope: Will cover from fall of angels to death of last apostle
Production Challenges: Discussing language choices and technical approaches
Spiritual Preparation: Emphasizes need for personal spiritual preparation
"It's not going to be easy and it's going to require a lot of planning and I'm not wholly sure I can pull it off, to tell you the truth. It's really super ambitious."

Jim Caviezel and The Passion of the Christ (2:00:23)

Gibson reflects on Jim Caviezel's performance and transformation while playing Jesus.

Casting Choice: Selected based on his "otherworldly" quality
Performance Impact: Discusses how the role profoundly affected Caviezel
Method: Describes how Caviezel approached the role spiritually
"He emptied himself out and he invited something else in and he left it. He didn't try anything."

Conclusion

This wide-ranging conversation provides deep insights into Mel Gibson's worldview, creative process, and spiritual journey. His candid discussion of personal struggles, professional challenges, and ambitious future projects reveals a filmmaker deeply committed to his faith and artistic vision. The episode particularly highlights the intersection of spirituality and creativity in Gibson's work, while also touching on broader societal issues and personal health challenges.

The conversation demonstrates how Gibson's religious convictions inform every aspect of his filmmaking, from choice of projects to execution. His upcoming resurrection film promises to be his most ambitious project yet, combining technical innovation with profound spiritual themes. Throughout the discussion, Gibson emphasizes the importance of faith in his personal and professional life, while also sharing insights about the film industry and society at large.