Following an absence that didn’t necessarily make the heart grow fonder, Mel Gibson returns to movie theaters January 29 with his first major film role in seven years — but only after an ugly dustup over a 2006 outburst of antisemitism.
In a January 19 interview with Los Angeles TV station KTLA, the tarnished “Lethal Weapon” star turned nasty with reporter Sam Rubin, who suggested that some moviegoers might be reluctant to welcome back the actor. “Why?” Gibson responded, suddenly wide-eyed and leaning forward in his chair.
When Rubin mentioned “remarks that were attributed to you” — Gibson’s 2006 declaration during a drunken-driving arrest that “Jews are responsible for all the wars in the world” — the actor responded testily, “I gather you have a dog in this fight.”
Gibson also appeared to deny the 2006 comments, for which he publicly apologized at the time, describing them as “remarks that I didn’t necessarily make.”
The interview provided the touchiest moment in Gibson’s ongoing efforts to resurrect his acting career, nearly dormant since his last leading role in 2003’s “The Singing Detective.” The actor earned a fortune — but also became a lightning rod for criticism — with his 2004 directorial effort, “The Passion of the Christ,” which opponents said revived church accusations of deicide against Jews.
Gibson’s box-office viability will be put to the test by “Edge of Darkness,” a new film that revisits themes from several of the actor’s biggest hits. A revenge drama that stars Gibson as a cop who is hunting his daughter’s killer, the film features a low-wattage supporting cast, but was co-written by William Monahan, an Oscar winner for 2006’s “The Departed.” Martin Campbell, who helmed two James Bond movies, is the director.
Acknowledging his new film’s uncertain fate at the box office, Gibson sounded a defiant note in his interview with Rubin. “Well, I’m back, and I hope it works out,” he told the reporter pointedly, “and I hope people will graciously accept me back.”
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Frankly, I have not missed Mel Gibson a bit. His anti-semitic outbursts belies a fundamental and deeply constitutional flaw in his world view. This IS usually the case. Sentiments such as Mr. Gibson expressed - whether he was drunk or sober - are indicative of his deepest convictions.
I missed mel gibson a lot. He is a very talented man. I know he's made very reprehensible remarks toward jews, however, we love his talent to tell stories thru movies.
Sounds as if Mr. Gibson has learned little about being sober e.g taking a fearless moral inventory given his remarks as quoted above. I think I would pass on seeing this film in any case as it is still another Gibson film where he plays himself,an angry and lost soul; however,his apparent lack of remorse,let alone change regarding his anti Semitism confirms that I will not see this film.
wow Gibson guesses Rubin has a dog in this fight, here we go again, he cannot contain his antisemitism long enough to get through an interview, what is his excuse now, did they provide alcohol beverages to him before interview. Not interested in him or his movie.
What is anti Semitism any ways? When Michael Richards/Cosmo Kramer said atrocities about blacks no one came around saying lets’ boycott Jerry Seinfeld. where was his sense moral superiotity. Where there is one there is always more.
This thing with Gibson is taylor made for Jewish rebuttal, "When the wine goes in, the truth comes out! LOL! Poor shlub!
I WANT to like him, but I just can't reward bad behavior and hatred in general. Sorry Mel, I MAY watch your films when they appear on free TV, but none of my shekels will you get.
I used to watch his every film until he showed his hatred for Jews. I don't believe in blaming it on the alcohol. All the alcohol does is make them say what is under the surface. He is a member of a fundamentalist church that revers Anne Emmerich, whose alleged visions of Jews drinking Christain blood cause so many pogroms and anti-Semitism.
The Passion of the Myth, Fiction, Fabrication, Forgery Who Never Existed!!!!
He is laughing all the way to the bank.
Mel is so traditional that he left his wife and 8 or 9 kids for a young girl.About his antisemitism i don't find it any different then many of the leftist Jews attempting to destroy Israel
I will never go to see another Mel Gibson movie. He is a hypocrite, and an antisemite. I wish he would just go away.