LA Times: Grappling with the 'Mel factor'

Here are some quotations from this article published by the L.A. Times: Disney Studios Chairman Dick Cook believes that moviegoers can separate Gibson's off-screen behavior from his work behind the camera. He noted that the filmmaker once before defied dismal predictions by turning "The Passion of the Christ" into a global blockbuster. "The public is smart enough to differentiate what happens in someone's personal life and their professional life," Cook said. "And, while we knew the marketing mountains we'd have to go up, you realize the movie is in the hands of someone who has conquered all these obstacles before and succeeded in an extraordinary way." ... As part of its effort, Disney will begin aggressively showing the film to exhibitors, college students, critics and other opinion makers as soon as Gibson delivers his final print early next week. The Drudge Report is currently linking to this article. In general it is probably a good thing to be mentioned on the Drudge Report since it will gain the movie more attention. Technorati Tags: Apocalypto, Mel Gibson, James Horner, Rudy Youngblood, Mauricio Amuy Tenorio, Raoul Trujillo, Mayra Serbulo, Dalia Hernandez, Gerardo Taracena