Pop goes the paparazzi
Mel Gibson so despises paparazzi that he dreamed up a movie about killing them – and hired his former hairdresser to direct it.
“Paparazzi,” which opens today, is financed by Gibson’s Icon Entertainment (the same company that produced “The Passion of the Christ”).
The movie, which along with the comedy “The Cookout” was not screened for critics, tells the story of Bo Laramie (Cole Hauser), an on-the-rise Gibson-like action star who’s pursued mercilessly by three sleazy paparazzi, played by real-life paparazzi plaything Tom Sizemore, British actor Tom Hollander and Daniel Baldwin, brother of paparazzi-hating star Alec Baldwin.
When a high-speed chase ends with Bo’s wife and son critically injured, Laramie plots revenge.
First-time feature director Paul Abascal met Gibson when he was hired to style the superstar’s hair on the “Lethal Weapon” films. Abascal says he routinely declined paparazzi payoffs to spill the beans on such famous clients as Gibson, Bruce Willis and Madonna.
“It’s a greasy little world to dip into,” says Abascal, who interviewed several real-life paparazzi before making his film.
“There are teams out there who are having strategy meetings and greasing palms around town every day.”
Gibson cameos in the movie, and he persuaded celebrity friends Chris Rock, Vince Vaughn and Matthew McConaughey to put in appearances.
The film’s car crash might remind moviegoers of the one that killed Princess Diana seven years ago.
In both instances, the paparazzi seize the opportunity to photograph the dying or dead.
But Abascal says Gibson is not trying to exploit that tragedy.
“Mel’s certainly had his (own) run-ins with the paparazzi,” Abascal says.
“His family has been pursued. People have come around to his house. He’s going to let the movie speak for itself.”
Favorite paparazzi targets
The late Princess Diana.
Pamela Anderson and Tommy Lee.
Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez.
Madonna.
Britney Spears.
The Kennedy family.
Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston.
Paris Hilton.
Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen.