Mel Gibson with Joel Osteen

Mel Gibson with Joel Osteen

Mel Gibson talks Hacksaw Ridge and Passion of the Christ sequel with Joel Osteen

Pastor couple Joel and Victoria Osteen had a sit-down interview with award-winning actor and director Mel Gibson about his comeback film Hacksaw Ridge, and the sequel to The Passion of the Christ. The complete interview will be aired on the October 28, on Osteen’s SiriusXM radio channel 128.

Joel Osteen Interviews Mel Gibson About his Comeback and Upcoming Films
 
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Hacksaw Ridge, is an action drama based on the true story of Pfc. Desmond T. Doss, a war veteran during World War II and recognized as a hero accorded with the Medal of Honor despite being a conscientious objector. Doss was recruited to serve the Army because of the impending war. But because of his deep Christian faith as a Seventh-Day Adventist, he refused to take up arms and instead insisted on serving as an army medic. In the Battle of Okinawa, Doss’ platoon was deployed to join other troops that aimed to gain control of the Hacksaw Ridge, a vital stretch that could help end the war.

There came a point when Doss had to be in the frontline. Despite that great risk and an eventual injury, he managed to pull out and save 75 wounded soldiers from the line of fire. Additionally, he managed to stick to his principle and avoided firing a single gunshot even if it is warranted by the situation.

For movie critics, Hacksaw Ridge is a well-crafted film that could help Gibson redeem his former Hollywood glory which was tainted by several scandals and controversies in the last decade. The film effectively combined violence and pacifism which critics also attribute to the clashing personalities of Gibson himself.

In the radio interview, Osteen asked Gibson on the religious aspects of the film. In response, Gibson explained that Desmond Doss’ deep Christian values are already evident in his character and personality. The director added that he intentionally didn’t focused on religion as what he termed, “preach to the choir,” to make the movie appealing and suitable for every kind of audience. He cites that, “The faith aspect of it, which I think comes from a truth, and it was certainly a truth in the character of the real man and in his story, it’s absolutely integral to the entire aspect of the making of the film and the execution of it. So, you put the audience in a foxhole and they won’t be atheists either.”

Osteen also inquired on the probability of a sequel for The Passion of the Christ. Gibson confirmed that it is already on the pipeline but stressed that it’s a huge undertaking that may take some time for him and writer Randall Wallace to conceptualize a formidable plot.

 

Gibson made a surprise appearance at the Southern California (SoCal) Harvest Festival in August where he initially shared plans for the clamored sequel. In the interview with Pastor Greg Laurie, he cited that the rightful plot and title of the sequel would be The Resurrection. He describes the immense challenge for the project “But in order to read it, experience and explore probably deeper meanings of what it’s about, it’s going to take some doing and Randall Wallace is up to the task…I always wanted to tell this story. The Passion is the beginning and there's a lot more story to tell.”

Joel Osteen Radio is broadcasting 24/7 year-round mainly airing the sermons or inspirational talks of Pastor Osteen and his wife. Other programs include live broadcast of services at the Lakewood Church, of major evangelical events, and a call-in show hosted by the pastor himself. Osteen’s radio station started broadcasting in 2014. According to Scott Greenstein of SiriusXM, the offering of a dedicated radio channel for Osteen was a form of diversification not only for the company but for the pastor as well. Now, Pastor Osteen can have an alternative way to reach existing or future followers across the nation.

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