2. ABOUT THE PRODUCTION
Powerful Maya kingdoms ruled in the Americas for more than 1,000 years, forging expansive cities, constructing sky-piercing pyramids and building an impressively advanced society of extraordinary cultural and scientific achievement.

3. CASTING MAYA IN THE MODERN WORLD: MEL GIBSON ASSEMBLES A REMARKABLE INDIGENOUS CAST
If Gibson’s vision for APOCALYPTO was going to come to life, the director knew he would need actors who would make the story feel completely and utterly real, as if it were dynamically unfolding in the here and now.

4. ONE LANGUAGE UNITES THE MULTINATIONAL CAST: LEARNING TO SPEAK YUCATEC MAYA
As APOCALYPTO got under way, Mel Gibson faced an extraordinary set of challenges. Not only was he working with a cast of newcomers and nonprofessional actors, many of whom spoke different mother tongues, but he wanted that entire international cast to speak in Yucatec Maya for the film.

5. JOURNEY INTO THE JUNGLE: THE PRODUCTION OF APOCALYPTO
Before he set off for the jungles of Mexico, Mel Gibson had a strong vision of what he hoped to accomplish there—and it was nothing less than a time-machine effect.

6. JOURNEY INTO THE JUNGLE
WHO WERE THE MAYA?
Maya. Since they couldn’t actually stretch the ears of the actors—as the Maya did—special ear attachments were made of a pliable silicone, then painstakingly painted to match each actor’s skin.

7. THE HEART OF APOCALYPTO: WHO WERE THE MAYA AND WHAT BECAME OF THEM?
APOCALYPTO is the first major Hollywood action-adventure to be set amidst the great Mayan civilization of Mesoamerica. But just who were the Maya?

8. TIMELINE OF THE MAYA
3100 B.C. According to the Mayan calendar, the creation of the world takes place. 2600 B.C. The Mayan culture begins to form in the highlands and lowlands of Central America. Village farming techniques are established.

9. GLOSSARY OF MAYAN PHRASES
“My Son, don’t be afraid.” (Flint Sky to Jaguar Paw)
In Mayan: In waal ma’ saajakta.
“We seek a new beginning.” (Fish Hunter to Jaguar Paw)
In Mayan: Yan kaxtik tuumben chuunuj.