LOST KINGDOM: MEL GIBSON�S �APOCALYPTO,� ON A SPECIAL EDITION OF �PRIMETIME� WITH DIANE SAWYER AND JOHN QUI�ONES, AIRING NOVEMBER 23 ON ABC

Being surprising, highly charged and controversial are not new ways to describe Mel Gibson or his recent movies � and his new movie �Apocalypto� is no exception. In an all new interview, Diane Sawyer sits down with Gibson to talk in-depth about �Apocalypto,� the primal fears explored in the movie and personally, and how he is doing today. John Qui�ones also talks to the actor and director about the movie�s premise and examines the vanished Mayan civilization and its descendents today. For this special edition, �Primetime� takes a journey with Gibson to investigate one of the greatest mysteries of all time: How is it possible that an entire, great civilization could disappear? Or has it? �Primetime� airs on THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 23 (10:10-11:00 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network.

Sawyer talks to Gibson about the inspiration behind �Apocalypto� and the minimalist approach he took when directing the film, which consists of unknown Native American and Mexican actors all speaking in �Yucatec,� a Mayan dialect. From avoiding poisonous snakes to getting an illness he calls �gringo gut,� Gibson shares what daily life was like filming in the jungle and why he says it became a voyage of personal discovery for everyone involved in the movie.

Qui�ones then takes viewers to Guatemala, where the mysterious culture thrived -- deep in a primitive jungle -- and explores the sacred rites captured in the film. He goes in search of the secret ceremonies that � until now -- have been off limits to visitors.

After a year of personal crisis and transformation, Gibson speaks candidly with Sawyer about his greatest personal fears he has faced on screen and off. He tells Sawyer what has happened since his infamous arrest and subsequent apology and opens up about a phobia he conquered while filming �Apocalypto.�

DIANE SAWYER, CHRIS CUOMO, CYNTHIA McFADDEN and JOHN QUI�ONES are the anchors of �Primetime.� DAVID SLOAN is the executive producer.