Here’s a story that’s becoming more and more common these days in Hollywood.  There’s a big blockbuster film, everyone seems happy, and a few years later someone decides to sue over it.  In the past this has mostly been people claiming their idea was ripped off, but as with Lord of the Rings, now more and more it’s becoming money disputes between the creators.

This time the fight is over Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ.  The screenwriter is suing Gibson claiming he lied about the film’s budget, therefore convincing the writer to take a lower salary to write the script.  Gibson has asked for all financial records to be sealed, except for the lawyers to examine.

Gibson did front his own money for the film, so maybe he does feel a bit personally protective over it.  This isn’t quite like a film made by Paramount, though New Line has been quite cagey with their financial records and Peter Jackson.

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