Mel Gibson sued by Passion of the Christ screenwriter

Mel Gibson "callously and greedily" exploited the co-screenwriter on 'The Passion of the Christ', a new lawsuit claims.

The Braveheart star allegedly told Benedict Fitzgerald he would not take any profits from the movie - and then raked in $5 million plus a percentage of revenue.

Gibson had "the express purpose of depriving Ben of the full fruits of his efforts as the screenwriter of 'The Passion'," court papers state. "He [Ben] became, unbeknown to him, ensnarled by a conspiracy of ongoing fraud, including its integral cover-up, perpetrated by Gibson and his associates."

Fitzgerald claims he was defrauded into accepting minimal payment for writing hit movie 'The Passion of the Christ'.

In a 21-page lawsuit, filed at Los Angeles Superior Court on Monday, he accuses Gibson of fraud, breach of contract and unfair business practices. "From the very beginning of their relationship in 2001, and continuously, incessantly and defiantly through the present time, Gibson, his owned and associated entities, and his representatives and associates have engaged in a chronic and conspiratorial pattern of deceit," the lawsuit claims.

Fitzgerald alleges Gibson initially told him 'The Passion' was a small four to seven million-dollar film and that he was not taking any money for the project.

The actor apparently said he was motivated by his desire to give back to his faith and that whatever money might be made would be distributed among the other people who worked on the picture.

Fitzgerald claims he agreed to a "relatively small salary" to write 'The Passion' - but says Gibson took $5 million just to direct and then made a percentage of revenues.

Although by some accounts the film grossed over $600 million worldwide, Fitzgerald complains he was paid $75,000 and that he had to borrow $200,000 from Gibson for expenses.

The lawsuit states the actor "preyed monetarily" on Fitzgerald and "callously and greedily" exploited him. "He [Gibson] shamelessly minted and cobbled gobbles of money from The Passion," the documents read.

The writer is seeking unspecified damages in his case against Gibson, Icon Productions, Icon's chief operating officer Vicki Christianson, Marquis Films and Airborne Productions.

A rep for Gibson declined to comment.

By Joanne Clements, Feb 12 2008 © Copyright 2008 - Showbiz Spy