Date: 17th July 2001

Mel Gibson To Direct And Co-Star With Julia Roberts


MEL GIBSON is hoping to direct and co-star alongside JULIA ROBERTS in a new $52 million (£40 million) real life drama called TRACKS . The Australian hunk is fascinated by the story of a woman who crossed over 1,000 miles (1,600 kilometres) of the Australian Outback with only a trio of camels.

Aussie stars JUDI DAVIS and CATE BLANCHETT had originally been pencilled in as favourites to portray the heroine of the piece. But they disappeared from the picture when Roberts made it clear she was interested in joining Gibson on the project.

TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX is backing the film, which is due to be made in Western Australia next spring (02). A worker on the project says, "Julia is fascinated with the idea of making a serious movie in Australia with Mel. She thinks it's perfect timing to get back together with Mel. He makes her laugh. " Gibson and Roberts previously worked with Gibson in the 1997 thriller CONSPIRACY THEORY (1997). (KW/WNWCAN/KMW)

Source: WENN