Mel Gibson plans to produce film on Jewish hero

Mel Gibson AP FILE PHOTO

LOS ANGELES—Mel Gibson, who reportedly made anti-Semitic remarks during a drunken driving arrest five years ago, is now producing a film about the life of Jewish hero Judah Maccabee.

Gibson’s publicist, Alan Nierob, told The Associated Press Friday that Gibson is working on a deal with Warner Bros. to develop the film through his company, Icon Productions. Nierob said the studio also would like Gibson to direct, but Gibson will decide whether he wants to do that once a script is finished.

The movie is being written by Joe Eszterhas of “Basic Instinct” and “Flashdance” fame.

Gibson, the Oscar-winning director of “Braveheart,” has defended himself against accusations of anti-Semitism ever since his 2006 drunken driving arrest, in which a deputy’s report revealed he made anti-Jewish and sexist slurs while in custody.