Apocalypto

In a recent press conference, Mel Gibson talked in detail for the first time about his next directorial effort "Apocalypto". The project will be filmed in the Mayan dialect of Yucatec, and uses a cast of local actors to tell a story set about 600 years ago, before the Spanish conquest, in the midst of the mysterious decline of the Mayan civilization.

The plot of Apocalypto - a Greek word meaning 'new beginning' - concerns a Maya Indian family man who 'has to overcome tremendous odds to preserve what he values the most'. The action movie - directed, produced, funded and co-written by, but not starring Gibson - will employ relatively unknown actors along with hundreds of extras speaking the Mayan tongue of Yucatec.

Residents have given their support for the film to be based near where Spanish conquistador Hernan Cortes first hit land in 1519. Gibson said the cast was "mostly indigenous," with actors culled from Mexico City, the Yucatan and even some U.S. Native Americans. Female lead is a young woman from Veracruz.The film is planned to be a summer 2006 tentpole for Disney. Gibson said Disney may get worldwide rights as well, but that was still to be decided. A five-month shoot, two in the jungle and three at a Mesoamerican ruin-inspired city that Gibson is building outside of Veracruz."Although (the Mayan culture) is an integral part of the story, what I am doing is creating an action-adventure of mythic proportions ... and I am a megalomaniac, so I like the position" says Gibson who also confirmed the film will be both gory and light on dialogue.