Mel Gibson Settles "Passion Of The Christ" Lawsuit By Writer

May 19, 2009 7:58 a.m. EST

Los Angeles, CA (CNS) - Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ" headache has been eased. He has settled the $10 million lawsuit screenwriter Benedict Fitzgerald filed against him for allegedly underpaying him.

Fitzgerald sued Gibson in February 2008, alleging the actor/filmmaker understated the film's budget; thus, paying him with "substantially less than what he would have taken had he known the true budget of the film."

He said Gibson told him the budget for the movie would cost up to $7 million, when the actual cost reached $25 million to $50 million.

He also claimed that he was not paid additional money when the 2004 religious film became a blockbuster, grossing more than $600 million worldwide.

Gibson's legal camp filed a three-page document, asking the judge to dismiss the case. The papers, obtained by eonline.com, said that the parties are presently working on a settlement, which is still awaiting finalization.

Terms of the settlement were not disclosed.