Mel Gibson's controversial film "The Passion of the Christ" is due to be released on DVD and VHS in the US next week. The actor and director is poised to reap more money from his movie about the final hours of Jesus than any other person ever did with one single film. It has already taken more than $600 million worldwide since its cinema release in February 2004. Because it was mostly self-produced, Gibson's take has been estimated at more than $200 million. In light of that windfall, Forbes magazine recently declared him the world's most powerful celebrity. DVD sales are expected to boost Gibson's personal profits above $400 million as many church congregations are expected to buy one for their libraries.
The distribution rights for the DVDs and video cassettes are with Fox Inc., which has started a marketing campaign specifically targeting Christian groups. Even the satirical US comedy series South Park is trying to cash in and will release a three-episode DVD "The Passion of the Jew", which includes a cartoon portrait of Mel Gibson in his underwear, laughing like Woody Woodpecker.
