Gibson sued over Passion payments

Mel Gibson shared the writer's credits with Benedict Fitzgerald

Actor and director Mel Gibson is being sued by the scriptwriter of his film The Passion of the Christ.

Benedict Fitzgerald says Mr Gibson told him the movie would cost up to $7m, but the writer claims the 2004 film's real budget was set between $25m to $50m.

Mr Fitzgerald claims in court papers he took a salary which was "substantially less than what he would have taken had he known the true budget of the film".

He also says he was refused extra money when the movie became a blockbuster.

Mr Fitzgerald also alleges Mr Gibson promised he would not receive money from the film and that profits would be distributed to people who worked on the movie.

Mr Gibson stated he did not want "money on the back of what he considered a personal gift to his faith," legal papers said.

It is not clear how much Mr Fitzgerald was paid for his services.

A spokesperson for Mr Gibson was not available to comment.

The legal case, which also names Mr Gibson's Icon Productions company as a defendant, claims fraud, breach of contract, unjust enrichment and seeks unspecified damages.