Mel Gibson thinks the film industry is becoming more "difficult".
The actor has a stake in production company Icon Productions, but hasn't been investing in as many projects recently because it's not always "cost effective" to make great independent movies.
Speaking at the Karlovy Vary Intl. Film Festival, he told Variety.com: "I've still got Icon, and if I see something that is really cool and worthwhile doing, and cost effective... Like the other independents, I'm not in there to get burned. But it's becoming more difficult, put it that way, for everybody."
Gibson lamented the major fact studios are putting all their money into blockbusters and shunning independent movies, comparing the process of trying to get an indie film green-lit to being "raped and beaten".
He said: "It's just the way things are. There's been a big shift in the way things used to be. I mean, there aren't as many films being done at the studios, and they tend to gravitate toward the big blockbustery things with pyrotechnics and stuff like that, which is valid. They are entertaining.
"I think stories of more substance are not as sought-after or fostered as much. And of course those things are left largely to the independent filmmakers. For the independent filmmakers, traditionally, it's been more difficult to get distribution, and to get back what you put in. It's just more difficult. And there are a lot of gatekeepers along the way.
"It's like anything. There are a lot more hurdles to overcome. You are going to get robbed and raped and beaten. It's just part of the game. There are a lot of sharks in the water."
Mel picked up the Crystal Globe for outstanding artistic contribution to world cinema at the film festival on Friday (04.07.14).
Mark Wahlberg will reportedly star in a film remake of 'The Six Million Dollar Man'.
The 43-year-old actor is said to be in talks with Universal Pictures to take on the lead role in a big-screen adaptation of the 70s sci-fi TV series, The Tracking Bo...
Britain's Prince William and Duchess Catherine watched the men's final of Wimbledon yesterday (06.07.14).
The royals were among a star-studded crowd who watched a tense tennis match between Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer in south London.
The Duke a...
Myra McQueen is returning to 'Hollyoaks'.
The mouthy McQueen family matriarch - played by Nicole Barber-Lane - is expected to return to the Channel 4 soap on a full-time basis later this year.
Myra left Hollyoaks village last year when she was forced...
David Arquette had to propose to Christina McLarty twice.
The 'Scream' actor popped the question to his girlfriend - with who he has two-month-old son Charlie - while having dinner with their son and his daughter Coco, 10, in Malibu last week but the entertainment reporter initially turned him down as she was embarrassed there were so many people watching her.
Christina told Aspen Peak magazine's Erin Lentz: "We were at a restaurant in Malibu..."
David interrupted: "I take her outside . . . and then I ask her, and she's like, 'No, what are you doing? There are so many people watching!'
"I had a do-over, and it worked."
Despite her initial embarrassment, Christina, 33, is delighted to be marrying the "love of her life".
She said recently: "He is the love of my life and I love him and my family so much. I feel like the luckiest girl in the world!"
It was revealed last week that the 42-year-old actor had sought permission from Christina's father before popping the question.
A source said: "He flew to Las Vegas to ask Christina's dad Bud McLarty for permission [to marry Christina] a while ago, so it's been in the works."
The happy news came just days after David's ex-wife Courteney Cox, 50, announced her own engagement to Snow Patrol rocker Johnny McDaid, 37.
However, the former couple - who split in 2010 after almost 11 years of marriage - had reportedly discussed tying the knot with their new partners beforehand.
An insider said: "David was just waiting for the right time. He and Courteney both talked about taking the next step in their relationships ... They both want what's best for each other."
Liam Hemsworth and Miley Cyrus will always be "best friends".
The 'Hunger Games' actor was overheard gushing about his former fiancee - who he split from last September after a three-year on/off relationship - during dinner with friends in Portofino, Italy, last week and told pals they will always share a strong bond.
According to an insider, Liam, 24, told his group that he and the 'Wrecking Ball' star would "always be best friends" and they had "an instantaneous and powerful connection."
The source added to the New York Post newspaper's Page Six column: "Liam kept raving about how amazing she was, how much they clicked and understood everything about each other."
And the hunky star went on to tell his friends how Miley had kept many of their shared belongings when they ended their 18-month engagement.
The source said: "He also said they bought a lot of furniture but he had to leave it behind when they broke up and he got his new place, which was furnished."
Earlier this year, 21-year-old Miley - who shot to fame starring in Disney show 'Hannah Montana' admitted she feels more "free" since splitting from Liam.
She said: "When I went through a really intense breakup - you know, I was engaged - and when I was with him or when I was on Disney, the thing that gave me the most anxiety was not knowing what to do with myself when Disney wasn't there to carry me any more or if I didn't have him. And now I'm free of both of those things, and I'm fine.
"Like I lay in bed at night by myself and I'm totally OK, and that's so much stronger than the person three years ago, who would have thought they would have died if they didn't have a boyfriend."
Kendall and Kylie Jenner's novel is to be made into a film.
The 'Keeping Up with the Kardashians' stars' mother and manager Kris Jenner is said to be in the final stages of securing a deal to have their sci-fi novel - which was penned by ghost-writer Maya Sloan - made into a big-screen movie and hope it will go on to be a successful franchise.
An insider told The Sun newspaper: "Kris hopes 'Rebels: City of Indra' could be the next 'Twilight' or 'Hunger Games' teen sensation."
However it's so far unknown whether Kylie, Kendall or their three half-sisters - Khloe, Kourtney or Kim - will be starring in the film adaptation of the book, although Kim has tried her hand at acting in the past, winning a Razzie award for worse supporting actress for her role in 'Temptation: Confessions of A Marriage Counsellor'.
Meanwhile, 18-year-old Kendall is said to be desperate to make the move from California to New York as she's "fallen in love" with the city and feels it would benefit her modelling career.
An insider revealed: "Kendall is serious about her career in fashion and thinks spending more time in New York will help her, she'll also be close to Kim."
However, the brunette beauty - who has appeared in Vogue and modelled for Givenchy and Chanel - recently bought a luxurious two-bedroom condo in Westwood, California
Reeva Steenkemp's mother has forgvien Oscar Pistorius
June Steenkamp says she doesn't hate the paralympian - who fatally shot her daughter, 29, through a closed toilet cubicle in his home in Pretoria, South Africa in the early hours of February 14 last year - but believes she won't rest until a verdict has been reached.
She told Britain's Hello! magazine: "I don't hate Oscar. I've forgiven him. I have to, that's my religion. But I am determined to face him and reclaim my daughter.
"It's important for him to know that I'm there, that Reeva's mother who gave birth to her and loved her, is there for her.
"I feel her presence and talk to her all the time."
June added that her faith has helped her through the traumatic trial and just wants to discover the truth about what happened to her daughter.
She said: "I trust that god will prevail and justice will be done. All we want is the truth."
The 27-year-old athlete - who was recently ruled fit to stand trial following a month of psychological assessments - has denied deliberately murdering the model, insisting he acted in self-defence in the mistaken belief she was an intruder.
If found guilty of murder, Pistorius could face life in jail, or 15 years in prison if the court finds him guilty of the lesser charge of culpable homicide.
Mel B is hoping to make a pop comeback.
The former Spice Girl is recording new songs in a bid to rule the charts once again following her appointment as a judge on British reality TV show, 'The X Factor'.
Mel, 39, is working with producer Anthony Preston - who produced much of Britney Spears' last album 'Britney Jean' including hit song 'Work Bitch' - and hopes he will help her develop a bold new sound.
A source told The Sun newspaper: "She's spent the past few weeks in the studio working on tracks and wants to make a big impact with a killer pop record for when 'X Factor' goes live. She knows Simon Cowell will feel forced to give her a performance slot on one of the Sunday shows.
"She wants to be out there in the music world once again and hopes it leads to a proper record deal."
Mel released her first song in eight years last year, but the track - titled 'For Once in My Life' - didn't do well in the charts.
At the peak of her solo fame, the star reached number one on the UK singles chart with 'I Want You Back', featuring Missy Elliott, in 1998.
Vanessa Feltz would love to see Judy Murray on 'Strictly Come Dancing'.
The 52-year-old star - who competed on the BBC ballroom dancing competition last year - hopes speculation that tennis ace Andy Murray's mother will appear on the new series is true as she thinks Judy would be great viewing.
She told Closer magazine: "She's a woman with an eye for an attractive gentleman and is not averse to tweeting saucy comments about the objects of her lust so, if the 'Strictly' bosses pair her with a hot professional, there's no doubt the chemistry would explode.
"After my stint on the show last year, I pray the whispers are true because Judy, in a sprinkling of tinsel and spray tan, will be a tonic for the nation. Could she end up scooping the top prize? Let's just say her Wimbledon champ son is a chip off the old block."
Vanessa danced on the show with James Jordan and was booted off the programme in the second week of the 2013 series.
Abbey Clancey went on to win the show.
Chloe Sims hates her boobs.
The 'Only Way is Essex' star has revealed she doesn't like her breast implants and would take them out, however, she worries about complications during surgery.
She explained: "I hate my 34E boobs and am naturally a B-cup. I'd love to get them taken out, but I'm a mum and I don't want to put myself through a full-on procedure. It's dangerous and I have a daughter."
The 32-year-old star is renowned for her sizeable breast implants, teeth veneers and love of Botox, but Chloe is seeing benefits from appearing more natural.
She told Closer magazine: "I've not had Botox in five months now. I've wanted to but I haven't found time. In fact, everyone says my face appears softer without Botox and I look younger. That's a bonus!"
Chloe is currently dating 'TOWIE' co-star Elliott Wright and has praised him for restoring her faith in men.
She said: "I've always got on well with Elliott. And he's a hands-on dad, which I find really attractive. In Marbella recently, I was ill with bronchitis and Elliott stayed at my bedside when he could have gone out with the lads - he's been my saviour.
"Before him, I was so over men, but he's one in a million. He's restored my faith in men."
'Star Wars: Episode VII' will shut down production for two weeks as Harrison Ford recovers from a broken leg.
Disney and Lucasfilm have confirmed a two-week hiatus will take place in August in order to work around the 71-year-old actor's on-set injury last month that resulted in him having surgery.
Lucasfilm said in a statement: "In August, the team will take a brief two-week hiatus while adjustments to the current production schedule are made as actor Harrison Ford recovers from a leg injury.
"Harrison is doing well and is looking forward to returning to the set soon. Shooting remains on track to wrap in the fall with the film scheduled for release on December 18, 2015."
Ford was injured when part of the fictional spaceship, the Millennium Falcon, fell on him.
He is expected to be out of action for two months and the long-awaited sci-fi picture's shooting schedule was changed to accommodate his absence.
Meanwhile, director J.J. Abrams has added two new cast members to the film who were selected via an open casting call issued to the public last year.
Crystal Clarke is an American actress studying in Glasgow, Scotland, and Pip Anderson is a British actor with expertise in parkour.
Executive producer Kathleen Kennedy said: "The 'Star Wars' universe has always been about discovering and nurturing young talent, and in casting 'Episode VII' we wanted to remain absolutely faithful to this tradition. We are delighted that so many travelled to see us at the open casting calls and that we have been able to make Crystal and Pip a part of the film."