Hollywood star Mel Gibson has reportedly lashed out at a female photographer outside a cinema in Sydney.

The Daily Telegraph claims Gibson, 59, shoved and verbally abused its photographer Kristi Miller after she took his photo outside the Palace Verona Cinema on trendy Oxford Street in Paddington.

Miller, a mother-of-three, said she thought Gibson was going to punch her in the face during the incident.

"He was spitting in my face as he was yelling at me, calling me a dog, saying I'm not even a human being and I will go to hell," Miller told the Telegraph .

"He swore and called me a c---, it was non-stop, he didn't even breath."

The newspaper said Gibson accused the photographer of invading his space and disrespecting him.

Gibson's girlfriend, 24-year-old champion US equestrian vaulter Rosalind Ross, was reportedly forced to intervene and was heard apologising.

The incident has been reported to police but it is unknown if any action will be taken.

Gibson is in Australia ahead of the filming of World War II drama Hacksaw Ridge, which he is set to direct.

Mel Gibson in Sydney in July. (AAP) (AAP)