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Exclusive Q&A: Mel Gibson on exorcising his demons | 1612__mel2_l
TOUCHING MOMENTS Jaguar Paw (Youngblood, right) with wife Seven (Delia Hernandez)
Apocalypto: Andrew Cooper

ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: So you don't believe you're anti-Semitic?
MEL GIBSON: No, of course not. I never have been and never would be. But [the incident] hit this fear thing in me. My God, I made people afraid. It never dawned on me before; I thought, Who would be afraid of me? But all of a sudden I realized I could make people afraid. And it was a horrible feeling. That's when I said, My God, I don't want to be that monster. I don't want to make anyone afraid. That's what this film is about — using fear — and I was inadvertently doing that without realizing it.

I think that's what fueled some criticism of The Passion — fear that people would use the movie against the Jews.
I didn't even get that. I was like, ''What the f---?'' I'm certainly glad there were no negative repercussions from that movie. I just never thought it would happen and I'm really glad it didn't.

Does all this help explain where the hostility came from when you were arrested? You've said it was pent-up anger over criticism that The Passion was anti-Semitic? Did those charges sting?
I did have a chip on my shoulder about a lot of things that happened [with that movie] that I felt were unjust. I'm not waiting for an apology — that's not going to happen — but stuff comes out in a distorted manner when you're drunk. It was just stupid ravings, from pressure and tension. But it's not like I went to Yankee Stadium and said [pretends to bang on a microphone], ''Excuse me...''

Or said them on stage at a comedy club?
I felt like sending Michael Richards a note. I feel really badly for the guy. He was obviously in a state of stress. You don't need to be inebriated to be bent out of shape. My heart went out to the guy. Poor f---er, he's getting it now. They'll probably torture him for a while and then let him go. I like him.

Any worries that your remarks may hurt Apocalypto's box office? Who's going to see the movie? Are all those people who lined up for The Passion going to line up for this one?
If they like good stories they will. It's primarily entertainment. An 18-year-old college guy, out with his buddies, he's going to get into the chase. The movie will stand on its own, regardless of any unfortunate experience I may have stumbled upon.

Your remarks didn't exactly enhance the film's Oscar chances. What do you think will happen?
I don't care. I really don't. The whole thing about getting a little golden man — it's a kick. When it happened 10 years ago [for Braveheart], it was a blast. But I'm not going to kill myself trying to get another one. And I don't want to buy one [by spending a lot of money on a campaign]. I'll put the movie up for consideration, of course, because I think the other people who worked on it are amazing.

Do you vote for Academy Awards?
Yes. I have screeners. I've seen some. But I've either been in therapy or the cutting room. [Laughs] They only just took off my straitjacket so I could come in here. I should have come in with foam coming out of my mouth from Alka-Seltzers.

NEXT PAGE: What inspired Gibson to make Apocalypto?


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