Movies

Mel Gibson is lashing back at his "Maccabees" collaborator Joe Eszterhas -- claiming Joe's accusations of anti-Semitism are pure BS ... and saying the real issue is Joe's script was TERRIBLE.

Mel just penned a letter of his own in response to Joe's ... in which he states, "I will say that the great majority of the facts as well as the statements and actions attributed to me in your letter are utter fabrications."

Mel acknowledges he recently lost his cool with Joe during a conversation about the movie ... saying, " I did react more strongly than I should have." But he also explains "I promptly sent you a written apology, the colorful words of which you apparently now find offensive. Let me now clearly apologize to you and your family in the simplest of terms."

Mel then explains his frustrations with Joe ... writing, "Not only was the script delivered later than you promised, both Warner Brothers and I were extraordinarily disappointed with the draft. In 25 years of script development I have never seen a more substandard first draft or a more significant waste of time."

In his letter, Mel never specifically addresses Joe's claim that he "hates Jews" or made anti-Semitic statements.

As for Joe's claim that he wanted to get back in the good graces of the Jews, Mel says, "Contrary to your assertion that I was only developing Maccabees to burnish my tarnished reputation, I have been working on this project for over 10 years and it was publicly announced 8 years ago."

Mel's parting words -- "I think that we can agree that this should be our last communication."

Mel Gibson is sabotaging efforts to make a movie about Jewish biblical hero Judah Maccabee because he "hates Jews" ... this according to the film's screenwriter Joe Eszterhas.

Gibson and Eszterhas had been working on the project together ... until Warner Bros. suddenly decided to pull the plug ... and nobody seemed to know why.

But now, it's crystal clear -- there was a MAJOR rift between Gibson and Eszterhas ... with Eszterhas firing off a harsh letter to Mel earlier this week ... in which he says point blank, "I’ve come to the conclusion that the reason you won’t make ‘The Maccabees’ is the ugliest possible one. You hate Jews.”

The letter, obtained by TheWrap.com, reads, "You continually called Jews 'Hebes' and 'oven-dodgers' and 'Jewboys.' It seemed that most times when we discussed someone, you asked 'He’s a Hebe, isn’t he?' You said most 'gatekeepers' of American companies were 'Hebes' who 'controlled their bosses.'"

Eszterhas adds, “You said the Holocaust was 'mostly a lot of horses**t.' You said the Torah made reference to the sacrifice of Christian babies and infants. When I told you that you were confusing the Torah with The Protocols of the Elders of Zion, ... you insisted 'it's in the Torah -- it's in there!' (It isn't)."

He says Mel only wanted to make “The Maccabees” so he could “convert the Jews to Christianity.”

In his letter, Eszterhas says he witnessed Mel rail about his ex-GF and baby mama Oksana Grigorieva ... saying, "You were raving at Oksana even after you’d reached a custody agreement over Luci."

“And then you were even more explicit about your threat: “I’m going to kill her! I’m going to have her killed!” You said you’d become friends with two FBI agents (or former FBI agents) and they were going to help you to kill her.”

With reports Rihanna wants to play Whitney Houston should there ever be a biopic about the legendary singer -- Whitney's daughter, Bobbi Kristina, is telling friends there is only one person that can play that role ... HER.

According to our sources, Bobbi feels she is the perfect person to play the part of Whitney ... telling friends that no one knew her better.

Our sources say BK feels that if Easy E's son can play him in a movie, she can do it too.

So if such a project ever develops, the producers can expect a call from Bobbi Kristina.

People are lining up to see "Titanic 3D" ... which sounds suspiciously like that other movie "Titanic" -- just maybe a little sinkier. Anyhow ... spoiler alert? 100 years too late?

WWE honcho Vince McMahon is a HERO for booting Randy Orton out of the upcoming "Marine" movie ... this according to the guys who served in the military unit abandoned by WWE superstar back in 1999.

TMZ spoke with Cpl. Mike Vinn ... who tells us, "On behalf of all the Marines from Aco 1/4 98-02, that were outraged to hear about Randy Orton portraying a Marine in the next movie "Marine: Homefront", I'd like to thank the WWE for pulling Orton from the role when they heard about his disloyal service to the United States Marine Corps."

Vinn adds, "It shows respect for not only the unit I had served in, but for every person that has ever defended this nation. Thank you WWE."

TMZ broke the story ... WWE officials made the decision to pull Orton from the flick when they discovered the wrestler had received a bad conduct discharge from the Marines in 1999 after going AWOL on 2 separate occasions.

Steve Wozniak is officially endorsing Ashton Kutcher to play Steve Jobs in an upcoming movie about the Apple co-founder ... telling TMZ, "I'm glad that he's onboard."

The flick -- which begins filming in May -- will reportedly chronicle Steve's journey from "wayward hippie to co-founder of Apple."

Now, Wozniak tells us, "The fear that many might have is that Ashton was selected because he's 'hot' right now. But I feel that his selection was done in the most professional manner. And I'm glad that he's onboard. I think he'll put a lot into it and that he cares about this particular subject."

Apple's employee #2 adds, "It's almost too bad that Steve Jobs is gone. His opinions and guidance, as to the story and film crew and cast would have been invaluable."

Check out Steve's entire statement after the jump ...

WWE superstar Randy Orton has been 86'd from the lead role in the upcoming movie "Marine: Homefront" ... amidst outrage from several Devil Dogs who claim Randy deserted them during his brief stint in the USMC.

A rep for WWE tells us, "WWE demonstrated poor judgment in signing Randy Orton for the 3rd installment of the film."

The rep adds, "Despite Randy's popularity, the fact that he was dishonorably discharged from the USMC made it inappropriate for him to be cast in this film."

The move will surely satisfy Cpl. Mike Vinn ... one of Randy's former unit members who was FURIOUS the wrestler was ever up for the role in the first place ... since Orton received a bad conduct discharge in 1999 after going AWOL on two separate occasions and disobeying an order from a commanding officer.

Orton was court-martialed and served 38 days in a military prison.

Before Orton was scrapped from the project, Vinn told TMZ, "I am disgusted that his face and the word Marine are being used next to each other -- real or fake -- because of the fact that he quit us, the country, and the Marine Corps. [Randy] in the role of a Marine is a disgrace to those that have worn and are wearing that uniform."

The batcave was missing a few whips this weekend ... 'cause nearly every official Batmobile featured in a "Batman" movie was on display in L.A. ... and TMZ has the video.

It all went down at Bob's Big Boy in Burbank ... right near the Warner Bros. lot ... where 3 of the coolest rides in movie history rolled in ... followed by one of the crappier versions.

George Barris -- the guy who designed the original Batmobile featured on the TV show and the 1966 live-action movie -- led the convoy in the original classic car.

Among the rest ... the batmobile from Tim Burton's "Batman" movies ... Christopher Nolan's version from "Dark Knight" ... and the abomination from Joel Schumacher's "Batman Forever" (bottom left).

Lindsay Lohan is focused on her career now that she's off probation and to make sure nothing gets in the way of her upcoming roles, she has sworn off dating for the time being ... TMZ has learned.

Sources close to LiLo tell TMZ she wants to avoid any relationships or emotional attachments as she gets ready to shoot her Liz Taylor movie for Lifetime. Our sources say Lindsay wants to devote all her spare time to reading the script and getting Liz's persona down pat ... rather than focus on a new relationship.

We're told Lindsay has had her fair share of intense relationships (ya think!?!?) and she doesn't want anything to derail her comeback.

Sorry, boys.

Stick a fork in Jar Jar Binks ... 'cause the "Star Wars" franchise is done ... FOREVER ... so says intergallactic space god George Lucas.

The Jedi Master's master was leaving Toast in L.A. yesterday when we asked when he was finally going to release the long-awaited 7th, 8th and 9th installments of the greatest space saga of all time.

But judging from Lucas' answer ... it looks like the series will remain frozen in carbonite for the rest of time.

Bacon ... hockey ... maple syrup ... Lindsay Lohan -- all things that've received the official Canadian stamp of approval ... TMZ has learned.

Lindsay has just been granted a Canadian work permit to film an upcoming Liz Taylor movie in Toronto ... which is a big deal because the Canucks usually aren't too fond of granting permits to foreigners with criminal records.

Sources tell us ... Canadian officials have realized Lindsay has been receiving positive marks from the court and her probation officer ... and signed off on the permit hours after she completed her community service requirements yesterday.

Bryan Adams could not be reached for comment.

Lindsay Lohan has just learned another lesson as to why crime doesn't pay ... because she's having to jump through hoops to get a Canadian work permit to shoot a movie that could jump start her career.

Lindsay has been cast as Liz Taylor in the Lifetime movie, "Liz and Dick," which will be shot in Toronto. Problem is -- Lindsay has 2 DUIs and a theft conviction on her record, and Canada doesn't much like convicted criminals earning cash in Canuck country -- then again, they like money.

So, there is a very complicated process that Lindsay must follow to get a work permit.

Lindsay is in court tomorrow, where Judge Stephanie Sautner is expected to take Lindsay off probation for her Beverly Hills DUI case. The judge is also expected to change Lindsay's status in the jewelry heist case, from formal probation to informal -- meaning she won't have to report to her probation officer or appear in court, as long as she doesn't break the law.

Justin Bieber insists ... 13-year-olds nowadays can handle a few F-words -- which is why it doesn't make sense to give the new "Bully" movie an R-rating ... especially when young teens can benefit from the message behind the film.

Bieber called in to "TMZ Live" moments ago -- claiming the anti-bullying message of the new documentary far outweighs any harm that comes from the F-bombs contained in the movie. As a result, the rating should be lowered to PG-13.

The mastermind who CREATED the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles back in 1984 isn't offended Michael Bay is rewriting TMNT history -- in fact, he LOVES the director's new vision ... and he wants turtle fans everywhere to back the hell off.

You'll recall ... Bay pissed off a lot of people when he revealed his remake of TMNT would see the loveable turtles as aliens ... not mutants -- outraging super fans across the globe, including Robbie Rist ... the guy who voiced Michelangelo in the 90s movies.

But TMNT creator Peter Laird -- who sold his rights to the story years ago -- is coming to Bay's defense via his blog, telling TMNT lovers, “It could be a genius idea -- for the first time -- someone has come up with a way to have as many freakin' Turtles as they want.”

Laird adds, "I would actually encourage TMNT fans to swallow the 'chill pill' Mr. Bay recently suggested they take."

He was DISSED by producers in the first "21 Jump Street" movie, but Richard Grieco (who starred in the classic TV series) tells TMZ ... he WILL be involved in the sequel -- REDEMPTION!!!!!!

Grieco -- who played alongside Johnny Depp in the TV series -- was noticeably absent from the Jonah Hill remake ... even though Depp got a cameo.

But last night, Grieco was hanging out in a funky shirt at the Pantages Theater in L.A. ... and he simply explained ... NOBODY EVER ASKED HIM!

Despite the burn ... Grieco did tell us producers are making things right ... saying, "I'll be doing the sequel."

Michaelangelo needs to back the hell off of Michael Bay and let the guy turn the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles into aliens ... this according to the guy who voiced Leonardo.

TMZ broke the story ... Bay has been getting some serious flack ever since he announced he'll be changing the classic TMNT sewer-based origin story for his upcoming live-action flick.

But not every member of TMNT-nation is hating on Bay's idea to go intergalactic with the Turtles ... in fact, TWO former actors who starred in the original live-action movie are coming to Bay's defense.

TMZ spoke with Brian Tochi -- the original voice of Leo AND the Asian geek Takashi in "Revenge of the Nerds" -- who tells us, "If Michael Bay wants to do a different take on the turtles origin story ... Mazel Tov!"

We also spoke with Judith Hoag -- aka April O'Neal in the classic Turtles flick -- who says she's excited about Bay's new vision ... but her opinion might be slightly slanted.

"I was in "Armageddon" ... which Michael directed ... as well as "Nightmare On Elm Street" and "I Am Number Four" which he produced."