The Beaver has been in the can for quite a while, with Summit Entertainment trying to figure out a release strategy for the quirky drama starring controversy lightning rod, Mel Gibson.

The Jodie Foster-directed film was stuck in release date  limbo ever since Gibson's personal life hit the tabloid headlines earlier this year. Since then, the studio mulled over various release possibilities - including dumping the film straight to DVD.

Now, it would appear that cooler heads prevailed and the film is now set for a Spring release a promotional image has been released and a new trailer is on the way.

The release of the trailer comes hot on the heels of the first official image from the film, an image showing Gibson, his co-star and director Jodie Foster as well as the titular glove puppet.

According to Summit:

"The Beaver is an emotional story about a man on a journey to re-discover his family and re-start his life.

Plagued by his own demons, Walter Black was once a successful toy executive and family man who now suffers from depression. No matter what he tries, Walter can't seem to get himself back on track.until a beaver hand puppet enters his life."

first image from the beaver starring mel gibson

And here's the official trailer for The Beaver:

Watch the HD version at Apple.

Those who have seen the film say that Gibson delivers a career high performance, and before his off-screen drama hit the news it was believed that the actor was a shoe-in for an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor. A Spring release knocks the aging icon out of this year's race, but if the performance is that strong there is a possibility that the Lethal Weapon star could get a nomination next year - if the general public and Hollywood forgive him for his transgressions.

Summit will be testing the waters with these new promotional materials, no doubt seeing how audiences react to the offbeat story and Gibson's appearance in the film. Spring isn't that far away, and Gibson's private problems may still be raging on, so it will be very interesting to see if he'd be willing to jump on the promotional bandwagon and face the press, especially when the plot (superficially, at least) bears an uncanny resemblance to his own life.

So, will Gibson's appearance in The Beaver steer you away from the film, or can you separate the man from the character?

Keep reading Screen Rant for more on The Beaver and Mel Gibson's career.

Source: Summit