MEL GIBSON - GIBSON: 'OSCAR SHOULD GO TO BEST FILM, NOT BEST MARKETING'

MEL GIBSON is refusing to fight for an ACADEMY AWARD, because he wants his controversial movie THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST to win an OSCAR on artistic merit alone.

The actor/director finds the Hollywood trend of spending millions promoting Oscar hopefuls ridiculous - and he has told his own marketing people not to get involved.

He says, "I think films should be considered on their artistic merits and that's all.

"It's kind of like a presidential campaign or something and it's just not that important."