I remember him saying, BEFORE Passion of the Christ was released, that they were going to destroy him for making that movie.

He made Hollywood look like idiots to lots of people that didn't know better. He proved that :

1> There is a massive part of the population that wants to see Christian themed films despite what Hollywood elites say. 2> Smash hits at the box office don't have to cost an arm and a leg to produce. 3> Hollywood scum will attempt to destroy you if you call them out.

Anyone paying attention had every one of their instincts about Hollywood elite confirmed thanks to Mel Gibson's courage producing, directing, and releasing that movie.

To top it all off, it was a masterpiece of a film. At any other time in this country's history, that movie would have swept all of those award ceremonies back when they meant that the winner actually achieved something.