Jewilicious is reporting that actor and Catholic-fundamentalist Mel Gibson, who in 2006 made international headlines when he accused Jews of starting all the wars in the world during an anti-Semitic rant while pulled over for driving drunk, is teaming up with screenwriter Joe Eszterhas (Basic Instinct, Showgirls, Betrayed, Music Box) to produce a movie about Judah Maccabee.

Maccabee is a difficult topic for many Reform Jews.  Chanukah is our most visible holiday, even if it is not that important in our theology.  However, it celebrates what can only be regarded as a very fundamentalist and bloodthirsty part of our history.

Such a story would line up very well with many of Gibson’s other blood-spattered movies.  Do we want Chanukah’s history depicted by such a man, in such a way?  What do you think?  Your comments would be appreciated below.