Mel Gibson rants 'haven't affected popularity'

Mel Gibson's recent negative publicity has not dimmed his currency with US filmgoers, according to a new poll . The survey for US TV show 60 Minutes and magazine Vanity Fair suggests that more than three-quarters of respondents are unfazed by audio recordings of the film-maker and actor ranting at his estranged ex-girlfriend, Oksana Grigorieva. The results of the survey, released yesterday, show a remarkable 76%– 80% of men and 72% of women – saying that the leaked tapes would have "no effect" on their viewing habits. Gibson also hit the headlines in 2006 when he made anti-Semitic comments to a police officer who arrested him for drink driving. He recently made a return to acting after more than five years away with the thriller Edge of Darkness, for which he received favourable reviews, and is next due to appear in The Beaver, directed by Jodie Foster. However, the actor was dropped from the talent agency William Morris Endeavor earlier this year. Gibson is reportedly planning to direct a film about the Vikings, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, though some reports have suggested the actor may pull out due to the film-maker's ongoing travails. • This article was amended on 3 September 2010. The original stated that filmgoers and survey respondents are unphased by recordings of Mel Gibson ranting at his estranged girlfriend. This has been corrected.