Settlement reached in lawsuit against Gibson

Settlement reached in screenwriter's suit against Mel Gibson over 'Passion of the Christ'. Photo / AP

LOS ANGELES - Court records show a settlement has been reached in a screenwriter's lawsuit against Mel Gibson over Passion of the Christ.

A filing in Los Angeles by Gibson's attorneys says a settlement has been reached but that a written agreement is still being finalised. The filing asks to cancell a trial scheduled for June 3.

Benedict Fitzgerald sued Gibson and several film companies in February 2008, claiming he was underpaid for his work. The screenwriter's original suit sought at least US$10 million, claiming that Gibson and others vastly understated the budget for the 2004 blockbuster.

No details of the settlement were filed.

Phone messages left for attorneys for Gibson and Fitzgerald were not immediately returned.

- AP