A couple of days ago The Hollywood Reporter published an article entitled Can Mel Gibson Still Draw a Crowd?. The piece weighs up the pros and cons of Mel Gibson’s return to acting after a seven year absence. As Screen Rant’s most vocal Mel Gibson supporter the article caught my attention and made me ponder that question. The article also mentions various films that Gibson has turned down over the last few years – some of which are quite surprising.
Mel Gibson will headline his first film since 2002’s Signs with Edge of Darkness (directed by Casino Royale’s Martin Campbell). The last film that the star acted in was a supporting role in The Singing Detective, which starred a pre-box office friendly Robert Downey Jr. Since then the actor has mainly stayed behind the camera to focus on directing and producing various interesting films. In that time he directed his religious passion project (no pun intended) The Passion of The Christ, as well as the Mayan action epic Apocalypto.
Along the way the star has had a few, well publicized personal problems, involving an arrest for drink driving and the end of his longstanding marriage. Now, Screen Rant isn’t a tabloid site, and frankly I don’t want to go into any details either. Gibson has apologised for his actions, and moved on – so should we. We’ve all done something wrong at one point in our lives. The man is a movie star, that’s his job, that is why we pay money to watch his films, he (nor we) didn’t sign up to critique personal lives.
With Edge of Darkness, Gibson is back in familiar territory as a man who is avenging the death of his daughter. The subject matters of family, loss and revenge are long running themes in most of Gibson’s movies from Mad Max, by way of Lethal Weapon to Signs. What makes Mel Gibson important is that he is an incredibly charismatic movie star, in a time where there are very few movie stars, never mind ones with the charisma and screen presence of Gibson. Sure, he may be older, and grayer, but he hasn’t lost what makes him bankable.
The Hollywood Reporter reports that Gibson was paid his usual $25 million fee for starring in Edge of Darkness, despite his absence from starring. To be fair, and I only partly agree with the Reporter here – there is a slight gamble on the film because the studio doesn’t know if audiences will show up to see Gibson because he’s been off screen for so long, and because of his appearance in the tabloids. Having said that Gibson ended his career on a high as What Women Want and Signs were the actor’s highest grossing films. Apocalypto grossed over $50 million after his Malibu arrest – a sum that the Reporter calls “middling.” I disagree; the film was a low budget subtitled flick with no stars whatsoever. That’s a pretty decent gross.
Following the release of Edge of Darkness, Gibson will be seen in The Beaver, which is directed by his Maverick co-star Jodie Foster and then he will star in (and co-write) How I Spent My Summer Vacation. It’s interesting to note some of the films that The Hollywood Reporter states that Gibson turned down during his self-imposed absence. These films include: The Book of Eli, The A-Team, Jonah Hex, The Low Dweller, The 28th Amendment, Dan Minter: Badass for Hire, By Any Means Necessary and The Men Who Stare at Goats.
That’s a pretty long list; the star has also turned down the chance to reprise his roles in Lethal Weapon 5 and Mad Max 4. I must also say that although I have no idea what Dan Minter: Badass for Hire is, I think that it should just be made for the title alone! The article also states that Gibson has given Lethal Weapon writer Shane Black his assurances that he will star in his forthcoming action film Cold Warrior. The star is apparently cooking something up with his friend and mentor Richard Donner and he has a Viking film in the pipeline that is set to star Leonardo DiCaprio.
I agree that Gibson may have alienated some people with his off-screen actions. Apparently Columbia Pictures chief Amy Pascal won’t hire Gibson for any films after his Malibu arrest (I’m not going into details – google it, if you want to know) but it would appear that a lot of people want to be in the Gibson business. After all, the man has starred in over ten films that have grossed over $100 in the US alone, and Gibson is also a big international star and money is what makes Hollywood go around. We live in an age now where movie stars are a dying breed. Few people open a movie; it’s all about special effects and concepts. From the” Golden Age” of cinema through to about the turn of this century, audiences went to see stars. Stars therefore “opened” movies and that’s why they are paid vast sums of money – for the opening weekend. If a movie opens big and then bombs, it’s not the stars fault; it’s the fault of the director! However, today most movie stars (Gibson included) are getting older and there’s not really a new breed waiting in the wings. Do you really think that Taylor Lautner, Robert Pattinson and Zac Efron will replace Gibson, Harrison Ford and Bruce Willis in a few years?
Edge of Darkness will be an interesting litmus test to see if Gibson is still a viable (and valuable) commodity for Hollywood. Warner Bros. still wants to be in the Mel Gibson business and the film has a long running relationship with another actor/director – Clint Eastwood. With Gibson an Oscar winning director, as well as a star it would make sense to keep the star close, as big box office and Oscars rarely come together.
At the very least, it’s good to see Gibson back where he belongs. Now, if he would only agree to star in Mad Max: Fury Road…
Edge of Darkness opens on January, 29 2010.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
‘Anchorman 2′ Trailers Tease the Return of Ron Burgundy’s News Team [Updated] 
Hugh Jackman Reveals Summer Start Date for ‘Wolverine 2′ 
‘Walking Dead’ Season 3 Preview Reveals The Prison & Michonne [Updated] 
‘Iron Man 3′ Begins Production; Secures Increased Budget 
Loading ...
I'll be seeing this. Mel might be a bit whacky, but he's still a great actor. I wasn't crazy about “What Women Want,” but I thought “Signs” and ALL the “Lethal Weapon” films were great. I'm definitely willing to give him another shot. I just wonder if he was offered the role of Hannibal in “The A-Team”?
In the industry Amy Pascual is considered a useless executive who collects a large paycheck and occasionally making very bad decisions at Columbia Studios. Her statement that she won't hire Mel Gibson for any film doesn't mean all that much as Mel Gibson's career has primarily been with Warner Bros. Plus I think she's just holding a grudge because she is Jewish. Richard Donner is Jewish and he's still working with Mel Gibson. What does that tell you about the honorable Amy Pascual?
I'll certainly go see it (well, I'm seeing it Wednesday morning at a pre-screening, but I'd buy a ticket to go see this).
Vic
Yeah I'm gonna see it aswell when it comes out, seven years isint a long time if anything it's symbolic, plus people still love mel gibson including me- & i'm jewish, but who cares, he learned his lesson(and if he didnt who cares he's only an actor) either way i thought it was funny(although I knew alot of people who were heavily offended), so didpite Hate crimes & pro-longed abscence I'm sure his movie will do well,
People love a good come back after all
Obviously it's just my opinion but Mel Gibson's public behaviour has gone way further than simply being “personal problems”. The man's a bonafide religious nutcase who openly believes his wife will go to hell and clearly believes his bigoted comments on that fateful drunken night, yet “apologised” to maintain a public image. It's not like any of his slip-ups were just unsubstantiated rumours. But whatever. Cognitive dissonance is a powerful thing.
Personally, I'll only see this film if A) I get a free ticket and B) to get a feel for Martin Campbell's directing style prior to 'Green Lantern'.
I certainly can't blame you. There are other actors whose movies I have no interest in seeing due to my dislike of them personally.
I'll be going to see this movie. Mel Gibson always delivers. I could care less about anything that goes on off-screen.
I like seeing SR post more “speculative” articles? You guys are on top of the news like no one's business, but it's nice to read an OP ED piece once in a while.
Oh yeah, Mel Gibson on a revenge path to avenge his daughter's murder? Sign me up!
The main reason I will likely not see this isn't so much Gibson as it is me being picky with movies lately. People can be pretty impressionable when it comes to tabloids and hearsay, but I'd like to say he's trying to accept the mistakes he's made. I can't blame him any more than I can blame myself for my own problems.
That's not a “Get out of jail press pass,” but he's a talented actor and filmmaker. That will speak for itself now that he's returning to film.
Niall, I just love your articles!
I am sure that «Edge of Darkness» will be a great success, not only because Martin Campbell really knows how to do a very good movie but also because MEL GIBSON IS THE BEST ACTOR EVER, since Doctor George Miller gave him to us, in 1979.
Haters should get over Mel´s personal troubles and find some use for their poor lives, instead of making comments full of grudge over and over again, for more than 3 years…
YOU ARE SO WELCOME BACK, MEL!
WE LOVE YOU, ALWAYS HAVE, ALWAYS WILL!
hey vic what are those screenings like. Is it at a movie theater or a personal theater and who is there and y, im very interested on how the process takes place. do they send u a email when to show up? just a couple questions if u dont mind
i like christian bales movies, and i like him as a actor even though i know he is a a-hole. did you hear him yelling at that poor guy for 3 minutes.
This movie seems to be in the vain of his 1996 movie “Ransom,” so I'll see it. His personal life hasn't changed my mind about his acting ability. While I haven't seen all his movies in front of or behind the camera, he has played enough roles that I'll make a decision on a case by case basis.
Well, I won't be seeing it but it might do decent box office. Revenge movies are tough to make appealing to me. Exceptions of course are those that don't take themselves too seriously. Death Wish and Taken to name two. I am pleased that he turned down all those offers. Except Mad Max 4, I admit the first two of that franchise were great but the entire Master Blaster comically over done 3rd film killed it for me. As for star power every movie generation creates their version of screen icons. Even if the icons are robots or action sequences.
Great article – really well-thought and written.
I personally love his work (making the difference between the actor/director and the man; for example, Brando was a brilliant actor but a JERK). I am looking forward to seeing this. Gibson has entertained and enthralled me for years on the screen, and this film sounds interesting.
I'll be there. Love Mel Gibson's movies. He always delivers.
I can't blame you either but i try to draw a distinction between an actors personal life and there on-screen performances. i.e.: Alec Baldwin – I think he is an absolute liberal tool and a crazy lunatic fringe type. However, i also think he is funny as all hell. So I continue to watch his tv and movie appearances for entertainment.
Do you even have to ask if Taylor Lautner, Robert Pattinson and Zac Efron will replace Gibson, Harrison Ford and Bruce Willis? Not a chance!
I agree. I was thinking where is the next generation of great, interesting, special actors? I'm not sure they've been discovered yet.
Love Mel
Wish he were President! Think he was born here so he can run. Mel's last couple directed films made more money than any other R rated films in histroy (if i'm not much mistaken)
@ marinamiz & Billychic
I'm glad that you liked the article – it's always good to hear that!
I do feel that Gibson still is a major force both in front and behind the camera.
Niall
ten films that made $100? damn, that's like ten bucks per flick! that mel gibson guy has *star* written all over him!
Y'know… it's kind of odd that I visit (and used to write for) Screen Rant, since I'm probably “an absolute liberal tool and a crazy lunatic fringe type” by many of you guys' standards, too. It never ceases to amaze/amuse me how jarring the distinction between “red”/conservative and “blue”/liberal people is in the USA (I'm Australian, by the way). If it wasn't so destructive, it might actually be “cute”. ;o)
Im sure it will be big with jew-hating, beer-guzzling religious loons.
He's getting my money. (Just hope Tina Turner isn't in THIS one)
Stop winkin' at me, nut-job.
He is not getting my money ever again! As an ex fan I could care less about seeing any Mel movies, there are better actors and better looking stars (Clooney is my kind of a star/actor). Mel never won an Oscar for acting (he did win Australian Oscar long, long time ago for “Tim”, when he was in his twenties).Revenge movie – same old thing all over again, nothing new!
another great movie by best actor Mel Gibson.. I am very excited to watch the movie..
Stop winkin' at me, nut-job.