Is the redemption of Mel Gibson complete? After a personal meltdown and PR nightmare that revealed the persona he kept hidden from public view, Gibson has mostly been sidelined in Hollywood. He found work in a bunch of B-movie flicks ("Get The Gringo," "Machete Kills," "The Expendables 3," the forthcoming "Blood Father"), but the actor, who had been making a serious filmmaking stamp with efforts behind the camera like "Braveheart" and "Apocalypto," found a handful of projects stalled out. But it looks like he’s back in business.
THR reports that Gibson is gearing up to direct "Hacksaw Ridge," with Andrew Garfield in talks for the lead role. The World War II picture has been in the works for over a decade, and tells the story of Desmond Doss, the only conscientious objector to earn a Congressional Medal Of Honor. The Private First Class of the 307th Infantry Division saved 75 men at the Battle Of Okinawa, completely unarmed, citing his beliefs as a 7th Day Adventist as his reason to not kill others or arm himself. So yes, quite the story, and a nice move away from the usual violence prone material Gibson associated himself with across his last few movies.
If this all works out, filming will begin next year with Cross Creek Pictures ("Black Swan," "Rush") producing. And we guess that means a blow to "The Conscientious Objector," a Walden Media production about the same subject that was in the works a few years ago with "Get Low" director Aaron Schneider lined up to direct. Thoughts? Are you ready for a Gibson comeback? Let us know below.