Coming soon: “The Passion of the Ice?”

Variety reports that Mel Gibson is directing an untitled period drama starring Leonardo DiCaprio that is set inside the brutal world of Viking culture.

The principals won’t divulge many details, but expect a storyline as no-holds-barred as Gibson’s catalog of past historical dramas, including Braveheart, Apocalypto and The Passion of the Christ.

Graham King is producing, and William Monahan is penning the script. Both worked with DiCaprio on the Oscar-winning movie The Departed.

King has stated that “this will be an awe-inspiring story, created with some of the industry’s finest cinematic talent, and I am just over the moon to be making this film with Mel, Leo and Bill.”

This is the Titanic actor’s first film with Gibson, but he has reportedly long been fascinated with Viking culture.

Before viewers can expect to see Leo slapping on a horned helmet, however, he’ll be gracing the big screen in Martin Scorsese’s Shutter Island on Feb. 19, as well as the director Christopher Nolan’s Inception, which just wrapped filming. Gibson recently finished starring in the Jodie Foster-directed The Beaver, as man who talked to a hand puppet.

Shooting on the Viking flick is expected to begin in fall 2010.

Source: NY Daily News