Back then he described himself as a filmmaker guided by the Holy Spirit on his surprise blockbuster The Passion of the Christ, saying he hoped the film had "the power to evangelise." But that image has been shattered by news of his drunken-driving arrest Friday and the anti-Semitic and sexually insulting remarks attributed to him. The Associated Press reports that an official police report substantiates claims that Gibson made the remarks and threatened a deputy.

Many say Gibson will have to explain his comments beyond his publicist-released statement, which implied that his rant was just the booze talking. And some in the entertainment industry are calling for a boycott.

Veteran media personality and The View host Barbara Walters told viewers she would not see another Gibson film.

Producer Peter Guber, host of AMC's Sunday Morning Shootout and chairman of Mandalay Entertainment, says: "The audience forgets more than they forgive." He says Gibson will have little trouble attracting ticket-buyers to action films, thrillers or comedies, but could face difficulty drawing people to more thoughtful projects, particularly those dealing with religious or political themes that previously have earned him respect.

Gibson has remained quiet and out of sight since his arrest. "He is in an ongoing programme of recovery," says publicist Alan Nierob, who added that Gibson had no public appearances planned but may soon issue another statement.

Meanwhile, the arrest has been forwarded to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office, which said Monday that it would decide this week whether to file charges. Penalties for a case like this could include a fine, jail time and a suspended license.

Source: USA Today