Move Over, Mel Gibson: New Judah Maccabee Project in the Works (Exclusive)

APIC/Getty Images The war for Hanukkah is on. Or Hollywood's version of it anyway. Producer Bruce Nash (Modern Marvels) is pulling together a version of the Hanukkah origin story for a potential feature or TV miniseries.News of the project comes just three weeks afterWarner Bros. acknowledgedthat it is developing a Judah Maccabee/Hanukkahmovie with actor-writer-directorMel GibsonandBasic InstinctscreenwriterJoe Eszterhas. Gibson's involvement in the WB projectas a producer (and possible star and/or director) provokedimmediate recriminationsfrom some in the Jewish community because of his record of making anti-Semitic remarks.The Hanukkah story is a pillar of Jewish history and describes the successful rebellion that liberated the Second Temple in Jerusalem from the Greek occupierAntiochus. Judah Maccabee, who became known as "The Hammer" after leading the fight,instituted Hanukkah -- the "Festival of Lights" -- to celebrate the triumph. Jewish leadersstrongly indicated their displeasurewith Gibson's desire to appropriate such a treasured cultural milestone. That antipathy could provide an advantage for Nash's project, which, unlike the Gibson effort, already has a finished script byScott Abbott, who wrote the HBO movieWinchelland co-wroteIntroducing Dorothy Dandridgefor the cable network. Nash andBob Kosbergwould produce along withMaura Dunbarof Odyssey Networks, where Nash originally developed the project and which provided initial financing. While Christmas has been represented extensively in TV and film -- most recently in theCatherine Hardwicke-directedThe Nativity Story-- Hanukkah has yet to claim its own holiday classic. The Nash-Abbott version is clearly counting on the support of those in the industry who want to provide a take on Hanukkah that doesn't involve Gibson -- or his eight crazy nights. Email: Jay.Fernandez@thr.com Mel Gibson Warner Bros.

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