EXCLUSIVE: Leo DiCaprio Pulling Out Of Mel Gibson Movie
Posted on Jul 29, 2010 @ 05:45AM
Leonardo DiCaprio is withdrawing from a Mel Gibson-directed flick about vikings in the wake of the domestic abuse scandal, RadarOnline.com has exclusively confirmed.
“Not a chance,” said a source, close to the Inception star, when asked if he was still planning to star in Gibson’s next project.
The decision is a major setback for the Oscar-winning actor/director, who is facing allegations of domestic abuse and child endangerment.
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It also lends support to critics who are suggesting Mel won’t be able to recover from the Oksana Grigorieva scandal.
Oksana, 40, has accused Gibson, 54, of punching her in the face twice as she held their infant daughter Lucia during a domestic dispute at his Malibu mansion on January 6.
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After allegedly hitting Oksana on the head and mouth, she has claimed, Mel then choked her.
Detectives from the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department detectives are investigating the allegation along with Mel’s claim that Oksana tried to extort him with threats of a scandal.
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Mel was interviewed on Sunday but refused to answer questions about the incident, citing his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination.
Mel’s profane-laced rants, recorded by Oksana and obtained by RadarOnline.com, are laced with racial slurs -- including the N-word -- and demands for repeated sexual favors.
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The viking film was to be DiCaprio’s first picture with Mel.
A source close to DiCaprio said the star, who is currently basking in the release of his wildly acclaimed box-office topping movie Inception, did not want to risk his reputation, with being associated with Mel.
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“Leo has earned the right to pick and choose who he works with and Mel Gibson is not one of them,” the source added.
The as-yet untitled project is being produced by Graham King and Mel’s Icon Productions.
Variety had previously reported DiCaprio had long been fascinated by Viking culture and was poised to play one in a storyline that will be as unsparing as Mel’s other period directing efforts, Braveheart, The Passion of the Christ and Apocalypto.
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Before DiCaprio’s withdrawal, shooting was slated to begin in fall 2010.
Comment is being sought from DiCaprio.
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Leo and Mel can make up later--after law enforcement shares its conclusions regarding the leaked tapes, extortion, and questionable evidence of alleged physical abuse.
Posted Sun, 08/01/2010 - 8:36pm
DiCaprio was sooooo right for pulling out of that sh*t and distancing himself from that trash Gibson!
Posted Sun, 08/01/2010 - 5:00pm
Mel will make this movie with or without DiCaprio and it will be F*CKING AWESOME!!!
Posted Thu, 07/29/2010 - 4:12pm
See how the gossip sites twist things. Leonardo gave an interview and he actually respects Mel Gibson but he stated he wasn't sure that the movie was going to fit into his already busy schedule. It's all about the headlines, not the truth.
Posted Thu, 07/29/2010 - 2:43pm
Has anyone seen this Mel G. story covered on the show "Issues?" They have some experts on that have a very interesting perspective re Oksana. They are covering it all more tonight. Issues has been doing a very good job bringing up new angles.
Posted Thu, 07/29/2010 - 1:20pm
Way go go LEO! i am so proud of you! who would want to work with that garbage mouth idiot? he knocked her teeth out, hit the baby,
Posted Thu, 07/29/2010 - 11:45am
Way go go LEO! i am so proud of you! who would want to work with that garbage mouth idiot? he knocked her teeth out, hit the baby,
Posted Thu, 07/29/2010 - 11:45am
Yes, the movie will be better WITHOUT little gordita Leo!
Posted Thu, 07/29/2010 - 9:22am
Mel was set up . I wonder what the hell she said that wasn't on tape right before Mel went off. I wonder if she called him and said she just sucked two d??ks and recorded his response...
Posted Thu, 07/29/2010 - 9:06am
at least it wanst mel's hateful ass d***! setup by recording or not. evidence is crystal clear. he is crazy, mean, demeaning, abusive & racist. you damn right she did it to ruin him, now WE see what she was living!
Posted Thu, 07/29/2010 - 12:57pm