Gibson sued by Mexican director

Catlett says `Apocalypto' uses scenes from his film

By VARIETY STAFF

Mexican director Juan Catlett is starting legal proceedings against Mel Gibson, claiming that Gibson stole his ideas for "Apocalypto."

Catlett directed the 1991 pic "Return to Aztlan" about the demise of the Mayan empire and claims that one of Gibson's representatives requested to see the film while "Apocalypto" was in production and that scenes from "Aztlan" ended up in the Gibson's movie.

"Apocalypto," which opened Dec. 8, has grossed just over $39 million domestically.