http://edition.cnn.com/2003/SHOWBIZ/Movies/10/24/gibson.passion/index.html
ROME, Italy -- Actor Jim Caviezel, who plays Jesus in Mel Gibson's controversial film "The Passion of Christ" was struck by lightning during shooting.
Caviezel was uninjured, but a producer described how he saw smoke coming from the actor's ear.

An assistant director on the film, Jan Michelini, was also hit -- for the second time in a few months.

The first time, a lightning fork struck his umbrella during filming on top of a hill near Matera in Italy, causing light burns to the tips of his fingers, VLife, a supplement to Variety publications said in its October issue.

A few months later the second strike happened, a few hours from Rome.

Michelini was again carrying an umbrella, and standing next to Caviezel on top of a hill, the magazine said.

Both were hit, with the main bolt striking Caviezel while one of its forks hit Michelini's umbrella. Neither were hurt.

The film, which is spoken in Latin and Aramaic, has come in for criticism from some religious leaders. It portrays the last hours of Jesus, but some Jewish and Roman Catholic groups are concerned the film will fuel anti-Semitism.



I'm not a believer but this is downright weird, similar to something I heard about movies about teh devil, how cast and crews tend to have accidents.
If you ask me it's all bs but it is bizarre

God hates the way Gibson is treating his son...at least, that's what I think. And I'm not a religous person.

Originally posted by Jake
I'm not a believer but this is downright weird, similar to something I heard about movies about teh devil, how cast and crews tend to have accidents.
U just remind Me. today was THE EXCORCIST (1973) on local TV...

I just heard about this yesterday,

During the filming of "The Omen" many people associated with the project nearly died. The lead actor (forgot his name) used to go to this bar every night and one day he decided not to go. That night the bar was blown but by the IRA killing 6 people. They also had mokeys - THAT'S RIGHT - MONKEYS! - attack the car withe the actors during the filiming, as seen in the movie it was for real. I can also recall stuff like this happening during "Poltergeist"

the exorcist: (from imdb)
There are tales about ominous events surrounding the year-long shoot, including the deaths of nine people associated with the production and stories about a mysterious fire that destroyed the set one weekend.

the exorcist: the beginning: (from ign
1. Part of the film is being shot on Stage 13 of Cinecitta Studios in Rome.
2. The film is shooting literally right next door to The Passion ... Mel Gibson's Jesus epic. God and the Devil fight it out for a good craft services doughnut.
3. Also on the same lot is Mike Nichols' production of Angels in America.
4. There is a line in The Exorcist where Ellen Burstyn's Chris MacNeil is trying to reach Regan's father, she talks of the Excelsior Hotel in Rome. Several of the cast and crew are staying at the Excelsior.
5. Associate Producer Wayne Morris was put in Room 666 while working on part of the film.
6. One of the journalists on our set visit took a taxi ride that came out to 6.66 euros.
7. During a shoot in Morocco, the typically sunny locale was deluged with monsoon rains.
8. John Frankenheimer, the much-lauded original director of the film, died July 8, 2002 one month after stepping out of production of the film.
9. There are 13 letters in Frankenheimer. Ooooo.
10. On the film's release date (July 18, 2003), it will be the 133rd anniversary of The Vatican issuing the "Pastor Aeternus." This monumental document declared the Pope's primacy and infallibility in deciding faith and moral matters.
11. Jason Miller, Father Karras, died on May 13.
12. Stellan Skarsgard, Father Merrin, was born on June 13.
13. Exorcist: The Beginning will open almost exactly 13 years after The Exorcist III.

man, that sucks. I'm impressed that the guy survived the lightning with minimal damage.

Exactly! That's why we should all run and buy a Buddha statue!:confused:

joking (well duh)

BTW I heard Monica Belluci (:love: Meow:kiss: ) plays in the movie - finally a SEXY Jesus movie!;)