Report: Gibson Wants to Bring Unedited 'Passion' to TV

Mel Gibson's Icon Productions has quietly started the process of shopping for TV licensing deals for "The Passion of the Christ," according to a Reuters report.

"Passion" is the first blockbuster film to cut loose as a true free agent for pay TV and broadcast/basic cable licensing in more than five years – since Fox obtained the rights to George Lucas' "Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace."

Industry sources say each of the Big Four broadcast networks has been pitched the movie – along with HBO, Showtime and other major cable outlets.

Were it not for the movie's intense subject matter, broadcasters would likely be competing with big-money offers for the blockbuster, which has taken in more than $353 million domestically after less than two months in theaters.

But sources say Icon has made it clear to prospective buyers that the film must run in its entirety and that even some of the more graphic scenes of beatings cannot be edited down.

That makes it a tough sell for the broadcast networks, which would undoubtedly have a hard time lining up advertisers for the controversial film even if edits were made.

Sources said Icon hopes to have "Passion" make its TV debut not too long after the film's home video release, expected to hit later this year through 20th Century Fox.

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