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Mel Gibson Acting Again in Edge of Darkness

by Kevin Powers
April 29, 2008
Source: Variety

Alleged anti-Semite Mel Gibson is returning to the big screen! Well, the 52-year-old is of course known for more than just insulting Jews; but since he hasn't acted on screen since M. Night Shyamalan's Signs in 2002 and infamously declared in 2006, "Jews are responsible for all the wars in the world" whilst getting arrested for drunk driving, I can't help but have that as my free-associate for the seasoned Aussie. Gibson will face the camera again in cooperation with the BBC for a film titled Edge of Darkness, based on the British TV series of the same name. Director, Martin Campbell of the Bond installments Casino Royale and Golden Eye, will fittingly helm the project, since he also directed the original series.

If you can't already tell, Gibson is one of those Hollywood veterans that has sadly dropped off my list. (The other big one being Tom Cruise, what with his Scientology antics over the last few years.) The guy, obviously, is brilliant and has cred for days. I loved him in the Mad Max, the Lethal Weapon series, Braveheart, and so on, but I can't say I'm a follower of him nowadays. Even his directing with Passion of the Christ and Apocalypto, while impressive, seemed condescendingly intelligent.

That all being said, I'm slightly intrigued by his latest project, largely by virtue of the original story, which spans roughly six one-hour episodes that originally aired in 1985. The variables are numerous, but essentially Gibson will play a cop that seeks to solve his daughter's brutal murder, on the way uncovering government cover-ups and dark secrets. If you had to, you could almost piece together the character of Robert Crave (the cop) through Gibson's other roles over the years - the cop in Lethal Weapon; the nut in Conspiracy Theory; the vengeful dad in Ransom; the list goes on. This is all to say that Gibson will probably end up doing pretty well in this role.

It sounds like the adapted film might take on a familiar cop tone, too. Producer Graham King (The Departed) is financing the project himself and is planning for production to start in August in Boston. I guess that means Gibson is going to work on his Irish accent. No word yet on who might round out the cast, which includes a variety of shadowing government types and conspirators. So are folks excited to see Gibson back on screen?

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Related categories: Casting, Movie News, Opinions

Dr Phaust

They should just re-release the original TV series on DVD and leave it be
Kyle A. K.

It will be good to see Gibson acting again at least.
http://www.firstshowing.net Alex Billington

I honestly really, really enjoyed Gibson in Signs and Conspiracy Theory. Two of his best performances and, oddly, two performances I remember almost MORE than any other actors out there... Bravo to Gibson for those at least!
http://www.firstshowing.net Donald Buxton

I would love to see him acting again. And with that Tom Cruise comment. I'd like to see TC in this movie too. Put the crazies together. Both great actors.
JC

I think it will be great to see Mel again in a movie and this certainly sounds like a good one. He is an excellent actor and director. A point of interest though - Mel is not 58 years old, he's 52.
nha

Yup - this guy is great if not up his own bum at times... Signs and Braveheart are both on my fav list.
harrison

hell yes. glad to see hes coming to boston too, hes an incredible actor, braveheart is one of the greatest movies ever along with the mad max series and conspiracy theory. honestly i cant think of any duds with him in it, except maybe that one where he can hear what women think
Spider

Awesome news! Mel Gibson rocks! Good actor, great director, and an all around man's man! Maybe, now Richard Donner can put another, "Lethal Weapon", installment on the back burner.
http://www.thestopbutton.com/ Andrew Wickliffe

This ought to be ... I was going to say good, but Martin Campbell's been iffy for a long time now. Hopefully he'll pull himself around. Mel's going to be great (a mix of Riggs and Ransom?) I just wish he'd done that Richard Donner Man in the Gray Suit thing.
Richard

Braveheart is # 1 on my list. I love Mel Gibson, hes one of my favorite people all around in Hollywood, we'd be immense Hippocrates if we say we didn't say things we didn't mean or are ashamed of, especially when drunk LOL. I can't wait for this. BTW what exactly does "condescendingly intelligent" mean?
Pickle

That's right Richard (#10). We'd all been there, especially when under the influence--rant, rant, rant. But, when it's a star like Mel Gibson, those rants spread all around the media like wildfire. Why can't the the media report the positive stuff too, you know to balance things out? Now that would be refreshing!
David

Now that's a nice, agenda-free article if I've ever seen one.
Nene

i saw mel gibson today acting in south station in boston very fascinating!!!
Tanja

OK, first of all this one goes to Kevin Powers to whom we can contribute the above article. I just happened to come across your article, secondary to wanting to learn more about 'Edge of darkness'. Perhaps you should stick to the facts regarding the movie, tell us about the pros and cons; yet spare us the negative comments in regards of Mr Gibson. I have and will always be a Gibson supporter. Who knows what is going on in his life and sould that made him make those comments, don't we all have out demons? Would you like to be judged for something without having had the chance to explain? I don't want to defend his behavior, because it was degrading to some, but lots of us have been pushed into the corner and ended up lashing out, because it was the only thing left to do, who knows??? Anyhow, he possess a special talent, which can make you believe in a certain character, even in the 'Lethal Weapon' movies I can cry and laugh the next moment. I believe, that is an incredible gift and should be respected, because his private life has nothing to do with his professional abilities. His movie roles project a special degree of humbleness, caring for others, fighting for one's believes and principles (has anyone watched 'Man without a face' recently, e.g.?). Guess, this was more of a rembeling on about the positive sides that Mr Mel Gibson has to offer to our society than the new movie in the making, but hey, I had to get this out at last, haha... Can't wait what this movie is going to have in store for us, OK everyone, you can wake up again, I'm done... Tanja
Charles

Mel Gibson movies are definitely missed!! Braveheart, Passion of the Christ, The Patriot, Signs, etc., are all GREAT movies! We need Mel Gibson back, whether Acting or directing, he's great at both!!! Forget Hollywood and their anti-Christian rhetoric. I don't know why Hollywood seems to have this hate towards Christians. Maybe it reminds them that they are not in charge. Not sure.
Miles

Mel is the man and deserves what ever movie role he wants. the guy is bank. He could out act anyone i can think of well tom hanks is badass. I cant think of one movie that he didn't completely capture my attention in from the get go. It is true. If your christian these days then people are out to condemn you. very sad. The whole reason this country exists and people are tryin to destroy it. Just to make themselves feel better. rock on mel.